The bidirectional relationship between anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders in adults: Findings from a longitudinal population-based study

Background: Anxiety disorders (AD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently co-occur, but the temporal order of the association is unclear. We have determined the association between AD and the presence and first-onset of AUD, and vice versa. Methods: Data were used from n = 6.646 participants and four measurement waves (baseline, 3-, 6- and 9-years) of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study 2 (NEMESIS-2), a cohort study of the Dutch general population aged 18–64 years. AD and AUD were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0. Multilevel logistic autoregressive models were controlled for previous-wave AD or AUD, sociodemographics (Model 1), smoking and clinical factors (Model 2). Results: People with AUD had a higher risk of present (OR = 1.65, 95 % CI 1.11–2.43; Model 2) and first-onset (OR = 2.03, 95 % CI 1.17–3.51; Model 2) AD in 3-years follow-up intervals than people without AUD. Vice versa, people with AD also had a higher sociodemographics-adjusted risk of present and first-onset AUD over 3-years follow-up intervals, but these associations attenuated into insignificance after adjustment for smoking and clinical variables. Limitations For statistical power reasons we were not able to analyze 9-year follow-up data or distinguish between AD and AUD types. Conclusions: Our results indicate a bidirectional relationship between AD and AUD; especially those with severe AD (medication use, comorbid depression) are at risk of developing AUD. Health care professionals should focus on prevention of AD in AUD patients and prevention of AUD in patients with (more severe) AD. Further research should investigate the mechanisms underlying the observed associations.