The influence of drinking motives and anxiety on low-, moderate- and high-risk drinkers

Abstract

Alcohol consumption has increased in the United Kingdom in recent years. Many people now consume in excess of the recommended NHS guidelines and may be at risk of developing problems related to alcohol. Important factors that influence alcohol consumption are drinking motives and anxiety. In the current study, drinking motives and state and trait anxiety were assessed in low-, moderate- and high-risk drinkers. State and trait anxiety were related to high scores on coping and conformity motives in low- and moderate-risk drinkers. State anxiety is related to coping motives in high-risk drinkers. The findings support an indirect relationship between anxiety and alcohol use. Implications for the prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse in moderate- and high-risk drinkers are discussed.