Drinking alcohol as a response to stress is a double blow to the body, according to a recent research study. Both stress and drinking to “compensate” for stress elevate blood pressure, causing heightened health risks, according to the journal Alcohol Research and Health (Vol. 23 No. 4, 1999).

“The results of this study support a causal relationship between stress and alcohol use and demonstrate the importance of considering moderating and mediating factors when investigating the impact of life stressors on alcohol outcomes,” says the report.

“‘Drinking to cope’ is an increasingly common aspect to alcohol consumption, and one that must be addressed,” says Dr. Allan Handysides, health director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “Research like this adds to the evidence that drinking is not a solution, but just aggravates the problems. Stress factors are a very real part of modern life and need to be dealt with, but drinking is not the solution. Drinking for an effect is always going to require an increasing dose to achieve the same effect, and in this lies the seeds of alcoholism.”

The report suggests that more investigation is needed into the link between stress and drinking to cope, and how to moderate such behavior. In particular, the authors highlight the risks of binge drinking that, with already elevated blood pressure from stress, may increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems.

Seventh-day Adventists have long advocated an alcohol-free lifestyle and conduct seminars on stress reduction as one of the Church’s community lifestyle programs.