title: PTSD and alcohol use after the World Trade Center attacks: a longitudinal study.
abstract: Research suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased alcohol use, but the findings have not been consistent. We assessed alcohol use, binge drinking, and psychotropic medication use longitudinally in 1,681 New York City adults, representative of the 2000 census, 2 years after the World Trade Center attacks. We found that, with the exception of a modified CAGE Questionnaire index for alcohol, alcohol use showed a modest increase over time and was related to PTSD symptoms, with an increase of about 1 more drink per month for those with PTSD, even though overall levels appeared to be within the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's safe range. Psychotropic medication use followed a similar trend; those with PTSD used psychotropics about 20 more days over the past year than those without. Because the study analyses adjusted for key psychosocial variables and confounders, it is not clear if the increased alcohol use following trauma exposure is associated with self-medication of PTSD symptoms, whether increased alcohol use prior to exposure is a risk for delayed-onset PTSD, or whether a third unmeasured variable is involved. Further research is warranted.
authors: Center for Health Research, Geisinger Clinic, 100 N. Academy Avenue, Danville, PA 17822-4400, USA. jaboscarino@geisinger.edu
authors: Joseph A
authors: JA
authors: Boscarino
authors: H Lester
authors: HL
authors: Kirchner
authors: Stuart N
authors: SN
authors: Hoffman
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Sartorius
authors: Richard E
authors: RE
authors: Adams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs