The idea that people suffering from anxiety have a proclivity to consume
alcohol to relieve their symptoms is supported by reports showing high
comorbidity rates of alcohol and anxiety problems. The authors reviewed
relevant epidemiologic surveys, family studies, and field studies and
conclude that the relationship between alcohol problems and anxiety appears
to be variable among the anxiety disorders. In agoraphobia and social
phobia, alcohol problems appear more likely to follow from attempts at
self-medication of anxiety symptoms, but panic disorder and generalized
anxiety disorder may be more likely to follow from pathological alcohol
consumption. Simple phobia does not appear to be related to alcohol
problems in any meaningful way.Abstract Teaser