The relationship between social anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorders: A critical review

Eric P. Morris, Sherry H. Stewart, Lindsay S. Ham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

218 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a significant co-morbidity between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Despite the fact that many studies have demonstrated strong relationships between SAD and AUD diagnoses, there has been much inconsistency in demonstrating causality or even directionality of the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol-related variables. For example, some studies have showed a positive relationship between social anxiety and alcohol-related variables, while others have shown a negative relationship or no relationship whatsoever. In an attempt to better understand the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol, some researchers have explored potential moderating variables such as gender or alcohol expectancies. The present review reports on what has been found with regard to explaining the high co-morbidity between social anxiety and alcohol problems, in both clinical and non-clinical socially anxious individuals. With a better understanding of this complex relationship, treatment programs will be able to better target specific individuals for treatment and potentially improve the efficacy of the treatments currently available for individuals with co-morbid SAD and AUD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)734-760
Number of pages27
JournalClinical Psychology Review
Volume25
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2005

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The first author is supported through a doctoral studentship from the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation. The second author is supported through an Investigator Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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