Alcohol abuse and anxiety sensitivity are linked in different but mutually reinforcing ways, finds study

Anxiety sensitivity—the fear of anxiety-related sensations—has a long and not very healthy relationship with alcohol use and abuse. People who display high levels of AS are more likely to drink heavily and use alcohol as a coping method or to reduce tensions. For young adults, who drink the most, high AS can put them at risk for drinking to cope, which poses risks for long-term consequences on their personal and professional lives, including underemployment and addiction.