PTSD,+Alcohol,+and+9-11

__PTSD, Alcohol, and 9/11__

Witnessing a horrific event like the attacks of September 11th became a precursor in the development of PTSD (Adams, Boscarino & Galea, 2006).

A study done in the months directly after the attacks in 2001 found that 11.2% of New York City Residents had PTSD after the attacks (Tull, 2009). Tull (2009) also found that the area geographically closest to the twin towers had the highest concentration of people suffering with PTSD. Hasain, Keyes, Hatzenbueller, Aharonovich and Alderson (2007) also found that physical proximity to the towers on 9/11 predicted symptoms of PTSD and that loss of loved ones in the attacks predicted a higher rate of PTSD symptoms.

Those that witnessed the events of 9/11 were more likely to use alcohol after the onset of PTSD, with Adams et al (2006) finding statistical significance between alcohol being used to relieve PTSD (Adams et al, 2006).

Binge drinking was also related to the experience of PTSD, and was suggested that alcohol use may dampen the physiological effects of the disorder. This seemed to suggest a correlation between the experiencing of a traumatic event, since various tests for alcohol consumption were associated to symptoms of PTSD (Adams et al, 2006).

Hasin et al (2007) found those that were closer to the towers developed a higher consumption of alcohol to deal with their symptoms, suggesting the closer the proximity, the more severe the symptoms. Findings also indicated that previous alcohol dependence was not the main factor in those that started drinking post 9/11 (Hasin et al, 2007). This suggests that the PTSD developed by witnessing the event was a cause in the onset of increased drinking Because the trauma of 9/11 was wide spread and was experienced by many of the people that witnessed the event and the lack of coping resources, alcohol would be a likely substitute for healthier coping methods to those experiencing symptoms of PTSD (Wu et al, 2006).  __Some more interesting facts:__  
 * Studies of adults have documented elevated rates of PTSD, psychological stress, and substance use immediately after the attack (Wu et al, 2006).
 * Immediate effect on children and adolescents was not assessed as intensively as it was on adults (Wu et al, 2006).
 * Studies have shown increases in substance use in relation to trauma exposure and PTSD, suggesting that substance use may develop as an attempt to relieve traumatic memories, sleep disturbances, and other PTSD symptoms (Wu et al, 2006).
 * Increased drinking was associated with direct exposure only, to the World Trade Center attack (Wu et al, 2006).
 * Increased smoking was not directly associated, but was significantly associated with prior trauma and PTSD. Older age was associated with increased drinking but not smoking. Black and Hispanic students were less likely to report increased smoking or drinking than were White students (Wu et al, 2006).
 * __Conclusions__**

It is difficult to draw any concrete conclusions, but the nature of PTSD and its effects on the nervous system and cognitive functions as well as the nature of alcohol are indicitive of a correlation, if not a direct causation.

When the CNS is experiencing the intense arousal as it would after events like 9/11, it would only make sense that those involved would attempt to bring themselves back to homeostasis. Alcohol becomes a good choice in this scenario, since it depresses the hightened CNS activity, and can temporarily deal with cognitive elements like anxiety, replaying the event, and excessive worry and fearful thoughts. 

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