Use of hair cortisol analysis to detect hypercortisolism during active drinking phases in alcohol-dependent individuals

The assessment of cortisol levels in human hair has recently been suggested to provide a retrospective index of cumulative cortisol exposure over periods of up to 6 months. The current study examined the utility of hair cortisol analysis to retrospectively detect hypercortisolism during active drinking phases in alcoholics in acute withdrawal (n = 23), the normalisation of cortisol output in abstinent alcoholics (n = 25) and cortisol levels in age- and gender-matched controls (n = 20). Scalp-near 3-cm hair segments were sampled and analysed for cortisol content. Results showed three to fourfold higher cortisol levels in hair samples of alcoholics in acute withdrawal than in those of abstinent alcoholics (p < .001) or controls (p < .001), with no differences between the latter two groups. The current hair cortisol findings closely mirror results of previous research using well-established measures of systemic cortisol secretion and thus provide further validation of this novel method.

Research highlights▶ Alcoholics in acute withdrawal show threefold raised hair cortisol concentrations. ▶ Hair of abstinent alcoholics and controls contains comparable cortisol levels. ▶ Hair cortisol analysis provides an index of cumulative cortisol exposure.