The impact of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on alcohol consumption and distress: reactions to a national trauma 300 miles from Ground Zero

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the short- and long-term effects of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in a sample of light, medium and heavy drinkers who live 300+ miles north of the epicenters.

Method: Participants in an ongoing longitudinal study submitted daily reports on alcohol consumption and mood via Interactive Voice Response technology. The daily self-reports of 86 subjects between September 11, 2000, and December 30, 2001, were used to analyze alcohol consumption and mood before, on and after September 11, 2001. Data were analyzed by statistical process control (SPC) analyses.

Results: Descriptive analyses revealed that by comparison with the average alcohol consumption on the previous 52 Tuesdays, women drank 33.9% more alcohol and men 13.9% more on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Compared with the average alcohol consumption on the 365 days preceding September 11, however, no increase in alcohol consumption was found. SPC analyses did not indicate a significant increase of alcohol consumption in response to September 11 in terms of baseline standard error computed from the 365 days preceding the events. Marked increases, on the other hand, were found in self-reported levels of stress, anger and sadness, with elevations up to nine standard errors beyond average baseline ratings. Negative emotions remained elevated for up to 69 days following the attacks.

Conclusions: Vicarious experience of terrorism affects emotions significantly but may not significantly affect alcohol consumption among drinkers remote from the events.