This article is from the WebMD Medical News Archive

Aug. 16, 2005 -- People who suffer from anxiety disorders may be more likely to experience relapses following attempts to quit drinking.

"At a practical level, our study indicates clinicians should be screening for co-occurring anxiety disorders, which is not routinely done at this time. Identifying these disorders -- especially social phobia and anxiety disorder -- should serve as a red flag for heightened relapse risk," says researcher Matt Kushner.

The study appears in the August issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence frequently go hand-in-hand, write the authors.

Currently, nearly 14 million Americans -- one in every 13 adults -- abuse alcohol or are alcoholic, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. More than half of the men and women in the U.S. -- 53% -- report that one or more of their close relatives has a drinking problem.

Two of the most common anxiety disorders found among alcoholics -- social phobia, or fear and avoidance of social situations; and panic disorder, or persistent "panic attacks" or episodes of intense anxiety -- are the ones most often associated with alcohol relapse, they write.

Anxiety Rate 2 to 4 Times Higher

Research shows that among those suffering from alcohol dependence, the rate of anxiety disorders is two to four times greater than that found in the general population. One reason for this could be that those who are excessively anxious may tend to "self-medicate" in an effort to reduce or control their anxiety level.

Anxiety disorders affect about 15% of all adults. Among those with alcohol dependency, as many as half may suffer from anxiety disorders.

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