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Originalia

Ein Überblick über experimentelle Befunde zur Wirkung von Alkohol auf klinisch relevante Angst

Published Online:May 08, 2008https://doi.org/10.1026/1616-3443.37.2.95

Abstract

Zusammenfassung.Hintergrund: Ein überzufälliger Zusammenhang zwischen Angststörungen und Alkoholproblemen ist belegt. Trotz zahlreicher Studien mit subklinischen Populationen ist die Befundlage zur anxiolytischen Wirkung von Alkohol jedoch uneindeutig. Fragestellung: Wirkt Alkohol bei klinisch relevanten Ängsten anxiolytisch? Welche Einflussfaktoren existieren und welche Mechanismen sind beteiligt? Methode: Ein Review empirischer Studien zur anxiolytischen Wirkung von Alkohol bei pathologischer Angst. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse der 11 publizierten Studien werden dargestellt. Der Fokus liegt auf der Wirkung von Alkohol bei Sozialphobie (N = 7), Panikstörung (N = 3) und spezifischer Phobie (N = 1). Zusammenfassend ist eine anxiolytische Wirkung an eine Mindestmenge Alkohol (BAK: > 0.05%), positive Wirkungserwartungen sowie andere psychologische Faktoren gebunden. Diskussion: Die Selbstmedikationshypothese hat nur unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener biologischer und psychologischer Faktoren Bestand. Mögliche Implikationen für die Behandlung werden diskutiert.


A review of experimental findings concerning the effect of alcohol on clinically relevant anxiety

Abstract.Background: It has been shown that anxiety disorders and alcoholism are associated more frequently than by chance. However, despite several studies in subclinical populations results remain inconsistent. Objective: Does alcohol reduce pathological anxiety? What mechanisms might explain the effect? Method: Published studies looking at the effects of alcohol on clinical anxiety were reviewed. Result: Findings of the 11 published studies are detailed. Studies focused on the effects in social phobia (N = 7), panic disorder (N = 3), and specific phobia (1). In summary, anxiolytic effects of alcohol are based on blood alcohollevels of at least 0.05%, positive expectations regarding the effects of alcohol, and some additional psychological aspects. Discussion: The self-medication hypothesis holds true only if biological and psychological factors are considered. Possible implications for diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

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