Abstract

This study examined the effects of peri-disaster factors, secondary stressors due to post-disaster life changes, and psychological symptoms and adjustments on alcohol addiction in disaster victims who reported current drinking alcohol. The results revealed that gender (more men than women), marital status, and education level predicted alcohol addiction risk. Medical cost distress, PTSD and depression symptoms and daily maladjustment were associated with alcohol addiction risk. The risk of alcohol addiction was 16.51 times higher in disaster victims who were increases in alcohol consumption than those who were no changes or decreases, indicating the need for more study to find risk factors that contribute to increased alcohol consumption. These findings suggest the need for intervention to mitigate post-disaster stressor and to inform the risk of increased alcohol consumption in order to reduce alcohol addiction risk in the mid- to long-term.