Identifying In-the-Moment Reasons for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-Related Drinking: A Qualitative Investigation

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly increases the risk of alcohol-related harms.
• Individuals with PTSD may use alcohol to cope with intrusive trauma symptoms and distressing emotions.
• The immediate, in-the-moment motivations for drinking in response to PTSD symptoms are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the specific, in-the-moment reasons why individuals with PTSD drink alcohol.
• To explore the dynamic interplay between PTSD symptoms and drinking behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing focus groups with frequent drinkers diagnosed with past-month PTSD.
• Directed content analysis of participant-reported drinking episodes and motivations.
• Recruitment of 39 adult participants from the community.

Main Results:

• Participants reported using alcohol to numb trauma-related thoughts and emotions (negative reinforcement).
• Alcohol was perceived to distract from intrusive PTSD symptoms.
• Participants also drank to enhance positive emotions, process trauma memories, and facilitate social connection.

Conclusions:

• Identified specific, immediate motivations for drinking linked to emergent PTSD symptoms.
• These reasons for drinking appear distinct from general drinking motivations.
• Findings highlight potential clinical targets for interventions addressing comorbid PTSD and problem alcohol use.