The Intentional Self-Medication of 9/11-Related PTSD Symptoms with Alcohol: 15 Years after the Disaster

Sascha K. Garrey, Alice E. Welch, Melanie H. Jacobson, Robert M. Brackbill and Lisa M. Gargano
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Sascha K. Garrey: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, 30–30 47th Ave, 4th floor, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA
Alice E. Welch: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, 30–30 47th Ave, 4th floor, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA
Melanie H. Jacobson: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, 30–30 47th Ave, 4th floor, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA
Robert M. Brackbill: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, 30–30 47th Ave, 4th floor, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA
Lisa M. Gargano: Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, 30–30 47th Ave, 4th floor, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: The self-medication hypothesis may explain the co-morbidity of affective and substance use disorders. Research shows increased prevalence, frequency, and intensity of binge drinking and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among those directly exposed to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC), however, little is known about PTSD symptomology and intentional self-medication with alcohol (ISMA) among this group. We used WTC Health Registry data ( N = 28,935) to describe the relationship between ISMA and specific symptom clusters of probable 9/11-related PTSD, the number of PTSD symptom clusters endorsed, and binge drinking intensity. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). ISMA was most strongly associated with the hyperarousal PTSD symptom cluster ( AOR = 2.04 [1.88, 2.21]) and the endorsement of one ( AOR = 1.80 CI [1.65, 1.95]), two ( AOR = 2.51 CI [2.28, 2.77]), or three ( AOR = 2.84 CI [2.55, 3.17]) PTSD symptom clusters, indicating a clear dose–response relationship. A significant number of 9/11-exposed persons continue to experience PTSD symptoms and engage in ISMA as a potential coping mechanism. Repeated screenings for self-medicative alcohol use among survivors of mass traumas with PTSD symptoms is of public health importance.

Keywords: alcohol use disorder; self-medication hypothesis; PTSD; September 11th; disaster epidemiology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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