Insomnia moderates the association between alcohol use and consequences among young adult veterans

Symptoms of insomnia and heavy alcohol use tend to co-occur among military and veteran samples. The current study examined insomnia as a moderator of the association between alcohol use and related consequences among young adult veterans in an effort to extend and replicate findings observed in samples of civilian young adults.

Young adult veterans (N=622; 83% male; age M=29.0, SD=3.4) reporting alcohol use in the past year completed measures of insomnia severity, alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences as part of a larger intervention trial. Participants were classified as screening 'positive' (n=383, 62%) or 'negative' (n=239, 38%) for insomnia using the Insomnia Severity Index. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the interaction between drinking quantity and insomnia on alcohol-related consequences. Predictor and outcome variables were measured concurrently.

Both a greater number of drinks per week and a positive insomnia screen were associated with more alcohol-related consequences. Drinks per week and insomnia screen interacted to predict alcohol-related consequences, such that the effect of drinking on alcohol-related consequences was stronger in the context of a positive versus negative insomnia screen.

Drinking is associated with more alcohol-related consequences in the presence of clinically significant insomnia symptoms. These findings replicate those documented in civilian young adults and indicate that insomnia may be an appropriate target for alcohol prevention and intervention efforts among young adult veterans.