Associations of physical pain, alcohol use, and related factors in the daily lives of patients with chronic low back pain

While cumulative-average pain was not associated with an increased likelihood of drinking, individuals were more likely to drink after occasions of elevated pain. This may indicate that participants drank to reduce pain, as was also suggested by the association between pain-related alcohol expectancies and drinking. This is one of the first studies to examine associations of alcohol use and chronic pain in daily life. The results provide evidence for the importance of pain as an antecedent to alcohol use. Findings supported some components of the CANUE model but also highlight the need for further investigation to inform potential revision of the mode.