Sarah M Wilson1,2,3, Thomas K Burroughs4, Amie R Newins5, Eric A Dedert2,3,6, Alyssa M Medenblik3, Scott D McDonald7, Jean C Beckham2,3,6, Patrick S Calhoun1,2,3. 1. Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina. 2. VA Mid-Atlantic Region Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, North Carolina. 3. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina. 4. VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon. 5. Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. 6. Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina. 7. Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine among veterans (a) whether alcohol consumption patterns are associated with probability of psychiatric symptoms and (b) whether an alcohol use disorder (AUD) history explains psychiatric symptoms among nondrinkers. METHOD: Data were collected from 3,003 veterans (20.5% women). Gender-stratified logistic models examined the association between alcohol consumption pattern and the odds of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidality. Two types of models were tested: four-group models comparing moderate drinkers to nondrinkers, light, and heavy drinkers; and five-group models separating nondrinkers by AUD history. RESULTS: In four-group models for both genders, compared with moderate drinkers, hazardous drinkers were more likely to have psychiatric symptoms. Among men, nondrinkers were more likely to have symptoms of depression and suicidality but not PTSD. Among women, nondrinkers and light drinkers were more likely to have PTSD symptoms. In the five-group model for men, odds of symptoms were higher for nondrinkers with an AUD history and hazardous drinkers. Compared to nondrinkers without an AUD history and light drinkers, male nondrinkers with an AUD history had higher odds of psychiatric symptoms. In the five-group model for women, the odds of symptoms were higher for hazardous drinkers. Female nondrinkers with an AUD history had higher odds of a positive depression screen. Odds of a positive PTSD screen were higher for female nondrinkers (with and without an AUD history) and light drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: For male veterans, there was a protective effect of moderate drinking (compared with abstinence) that disappeared when nondrinkers without an AUD history were separated. However, results for women showed a protective effect of moderate drinking with regard to PTSD that persisted even when an AUD history was taken into account.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine among veterans (a) whether alcohol consumption patterns are associated with probability of psychiatric symptoms and (b) whether an alcohol use disorder (AUD) history explains psychiatric symptoms among nondrinkers. METHOD: Data were collected from 3,003 veterans (20.5% women). Gender-stratified logistic models examined the association between alcohol consumption pattern and the odds of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidality. Two types of models were tested: four-group models comparing moderate drinkers to nondrinkers, light, and heavy drinkers; and five-group models separating nondrinkers by AUD history. RESULTS: In four-group models for both genders, compared with moderate drinkers, hazardous drinkers were more likely to have psychiatric symptoms. Among men, nondrinkers were more likely to have symptoms of depression and suicidality but not PTSD. Among women, nondrinkers and light drinkers were more likely to have PTSD symptoms. In the five-group model for men, odds of symptoms were higher for nondrinkers with an AUD history and hazardous drinkers. Compared to nondrinkers without an AUD history and light drinkers, male nondrinkers with an AUD history had higher odds of psychiatric symptoms. In the five-group model for women, the odds of symptoms were higher for hazardous drinkers. Female nondrinkers with an AUD history had higher odds of a positive depression screen. Odds of a positive PTSD screen were higher for female nondrinkers (with and without an AUD history) and light drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: For male veterans, there was a protective effect of moderate drinking (compared with abstinence) that disappeared when nondrinkers without an AUD history were separated. However, results for women showed a protective effect of moderate drinking with regard to PTSD that persisted even when an AUD history was taken into account.
Authors: J R Davidson; S W Book; J T Colket; L A Tupler; S Roth; D David; M Hertzberg; T Mellman; J C Beckham; R D Smith; R M Davison; R Katz; M E Feldman Journal: Psychol Med Date: 1997-01 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Charles J Holahan; Kathleen K Schutte; Penny L Brennan; Carole K Holahan; Rudolf H Moos Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2014-03-03 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Patrick S Calhoun; John R Elter; Everett R Jones; Harold Kudler; Kristy Straits-Tröster Journal: J Clin Psychiatry Date: 2008-09-09 Impact factor: 4.384
Authors: Dan V Blalock; Sarah M Wilson; Eric A Dedert; Carolina P Clancy; Michael A Hertzberg; Jean C Beckham; Patrick S Calhoun Journal: Assessment Date: 2019-01-23