Negative Urgency Amplifies Alcohol Demand in Individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Objective: This study sought to test whether negative urgency moderates the relationship between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol demand. Method: In this secondary data analysis, participants (N=101; 58.2% female) completed an online procedure which included, a trauma cue manipulation (expressive writing exercise), pre- and post-cue versions of the Alcohol Purchase Task (APT, measuring alcohol demand), and self-report measures of trauma history, alcohol use, and PTSD symptoms. Five indices of alcohol demand data were calculated: intensity, breakpoint, Omax, Pmax, and elasticity. Participants were grouped based on PTSD symptom severity (PTSD vs. No PTSD). Path analyses were used to examine negative urgency as a moderator of the association between PTSD and each index of alcohol demand. Results: Negative urgency was a significant moderator for intensity, breakpoint, Omax, and Pmax, such that high negative urgency in the PTSD group was associated with greater alcohol demand post- trauma cue controlling for pre-cue demand. In contrast, low negative urgency in the PTSD group was associated with lower intensity and Pmax post-cue controlling for pre-cue ratings. Conclusions: Individuals with PTSD and high negative urgency value alcohol more in the context of trauma-cue elicited negative affect. Trait-levels of negative urgency are important for identifying those with PTSD who are at greatest risk for problematic alcohol use and impulsive decision making in the context of a trauma cue.