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Stress and alcohol: epidemiologic evidence
K M Keyes1, M L Hatzenbuehler, Bridget F Grant
1Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Alcohol Research : Current Reviews
|April 16, 2013
Summary
Stress significantly impacts alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Different types of stressors, from general life events to childhood maltreatment and discrimination, are linked to increased risks of AUDs.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Stress exposure is a significant psychological distressor.
- The relationship between stress and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is complex, influenced by stressor type, timing, duration, and severity.
- Key stressors include general life events, catastrophic events, childhood maltreatment, and minority stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the multifaceted relationship between various types of stress and alcohol consumption.
- To understand how different stressors influence the risk and development of alcohol use disorders.
- To identify specific stress categories associated with increased alcohol use and AUDs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on stress exposure and alcohol use.
- Categorization of stressors into general life stress, catastrophic stress, childhood maltreatment, and minority stress.
- Analysis of associations between these stress categories and alcohol consumption patterns, including AUDs.
Main Results:
- General life stressors (e.g., divorce, job loss) are linked to higher AUD risk.
- Catastrophic events increase overall alcohol consumption but not necessarily AUD incidence, though individuals with prior AUDs may use alcohol to cope.
- Childhood maltreatment is associated with early-onset drinking and adult AUDs.
- Minority stress (discrimination) correlates with increased alcohol use and AUDs in racial/ethnic and sexual minorities.
Conclusions:
- Stress, in its various forms, is demonstrably related to subsequent alcohol consumption and AUDs.
- Further research is needed to explore the role of stressors in the progression of AUDs and identify potential moderating factors.
- Understanding these stress-alcohol-AUD pathways is crucial for targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
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