Experiencing stressful events is a widespread experience, but how one responds to stressful events varies tremendously. When exposed to repeated stress, some individuals react negatively, increasing the risk for adverse health outcomes. Other individuals may react by coping responses and positive changes that decrease the risk for adverse health outcomes, called resilience. Stress is a known risk factor for alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Current evidence suggests that resilience to stress can help protect individuals against problematic alcohol use. The goal of this study is to examine the concept of resilience and how it correlates to problematic alcohol use and AUD.
This study defines resilience as “coping with and positively adapting to adversity, trauma, or stress.” Undergoing stress can cause a physiological and behavioral response; resilience can reflect an individual’s response. Previous studies have shown that resilience has been linked to a decrease in problematic alcohol use. Also, AUD tended to score lower on psychometric assessments of psychological resilience compared to healthy controls. The severity of AUD in one study was measured by assessments such as the Alcohol Dependence Scale, and it was found that resilience was correlated with reduced severity of AUD.
This review shows that psychological and behavioral approaches such as mindfulness meditation, coping skills training, emotional exercises, and other activities that help build resilience could help improve treatment for individuals with AUD. Overall, this study expands on the current literature on resilience as a protective factor against problematic alcohol use and the development of AUD.
Takeaway: Resilience is a protective factor against problematic alcohol use and the development of AUD.