Citation

Marsh B, Carlyle M, Carter E, Hughes P, McGahey S, Lawn W, Stevens T, McAndrew A, Morgan CJA. Pers. Individ. Dif. 2019; 139: 13-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.paid.2018.10.034

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) has been related to alcohol use disorder (AUD). Shyness can be considered a subclinical analogue of SAD, yet there is little research into the effect of alcohol on anxiety levels in highly-shy individuals. This naturalistic study investigated acute and sub-acute effects of alcohol in high and low shy social drinkers. 97 individuals were tested at home and assigned to either consume alcohol to normal levels (n = 50) or to remain sober (n = 47). Baseline measures of AUD symptoms, shyness and social phobia were taken. Measures of state anxiety were taken at baseline, following a period of alcohol consumption or sobriety, and the following morning. Marginally decreased acute anxiety resulting from alcohol consumption in high shyness was observed. A significant increase in anxiety the day following drinking was observed in highly-shy participants. There was a significant correlation between anxiety elevation on the second day and AUDIT scores in highly-shy participants. This study suggests anxiety during hangover is linked to AUD symptoms in highly-shy individuals, providing a potential marker for increased AUD risk, which could inform prevention and treatment.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol; Alcohol use disorders; Hangover; Shyness; Social anxiety