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Cited by 137Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesChild Abuse and Trauma

What is the association between traumatic life events and alcohol abuse/dependence in people with and without PTSD? Findings from a nationally representative sample

Fetzner, Mathew G., McMillan, Katherine A., Sareen, Jitendar, Asmundson, Gordon J.G.·2011·Depression and Anxiety
DOI 10.1002/da.20852
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Approximately 60-90% of the general population will experience a traumatic event during their lifetime. However, relatively few will develop a trauma-related psychological disorder. Possible psychological sequelae of trauma include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol-use disorders (AUDs). While AUDs often occur in the context of PTSD, little is known about the degree to which AUDs are attributable to specific traumatic events. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the degree to which specific traumatic events are predictive of AUDs in people with and without PTSD. METHODS: The current sample was selected from the National Epidemiological Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; N = 34,160), a nationally representative sample of American adults. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to examine odds ratios of 27 traumatic events among individuals with and without PTSD in the prediction of AUD diagnoses. RESULTS: Results indicated significant positive odds ratios among individuals meeting criteria for PTSD and having experienced a childhood trauma (OR = 1.40 [95% CI: 1.08-1.83], P<.01) or assaultive violence (OR = 1.41 [95% CI: 1.13-1.77], P<.01) for predicting AUDs. Also, among individuals without PTSD, childhood trauma (OR = 1.32 [95% CI: 1.23-1.41], P<.001), assaultive violence (OR = 1.42 [95% CI: 1.13-1.78], P<.001), unexpected death (OR = 1.19 [95% CI: 1.12-1.28], P<.001), and learning of trauma (OR = 1.22 [95% CI: 1.13-1.30], P<.001) positively predicted the presence of AUDs. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate significant positive relationships between traumatic events and AUDs, particularly among individuals without PTSD. Specific associations and theoretical implications will be discussed.

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  • Exposure to potentially traumatic events is associated with increased risk for developing mental disorders, including PTSD, MDD, PD, GAD, SAD, and AUD.

    “Such exposures have been associated with increased risk for the development of mental disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),2 major depressive disorder (MDD),5 panic disorder (PD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD), as well as vulnerability for an alcohol use disorder (AUD).6,7”

    From Mental Disorder Symptoms among Public Safety Personnel in Canada (2018) · cites this paper as [7]

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Authors
Fetzner, M. G., McMillan, K. A., Sareen, J., & Asmundson, G. J. G.
Affiliations
University of Regina (CA)
ORCID
Asmundson, Gordon J.G.
Venue
Depression and Anxiety
Publisher
Hindawi Limited
Published
2011-07-18
Volume
28
Issue
8
Pages
632-638
ISSN
1091-4269 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1002/da.20852
OpenAlex
W2054933439
Cited by
137
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 4
FWCI
10.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1 (tdm, 1506 d)
Locations
  • Depression and Anxiety (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
traumatic life events, alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder, childhood trauma, assaultive violence, unexpected death, trauma exposure
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alcoholism, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Life Change Events, Male, Mental Health Services, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, United States, Comorbidity, Prevalence, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult

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