Impact of stressful life events on excessive alcohol consumption in the French population: 15 years of findings from the GAZEL cohort study

Background: Individuals may be more susceptible to the ill effect that certain life stressors may have on health during distinct times along the life course. We aimed to examine alcohol trajectories in relation to 13 stressful socio-environmental and health life events among middle-aged and older French adults, over 15 years of observation. Methods: Annual self-administered surveys were completed by 20,625 employees of the French national gas and electricity company from 1989 to 2010. We used generalized estimating equations to compare the odds of heavy alcohol consumption surrounding the time of a life event, stratified by gender. Results: Compared to the year prior, women reported increased odds of heavy alcohol consumption at the time of an employment promotion, large purchase, retirement, and depression (all p<0.05). Men reported increased odds of heavy alcohol consumption at the time of an employment promotion, large purchase, divorce, retirement, widowhood and depression (all p<0.05). Men reported decreased odds of heavy intake after experiencing a hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, and heart attack (all p<0.05). The proportion of women and men who reported heavy alcohol consumption either increased or stayed the same over time, with few exceptions. Conclusions: Select life events can have a significant impact on heavy alcohol consumption trajectories. The results from this study may also have implications for U.S. populations, given that these events are universal and that heavy alcohol use is increasingly prevalent. Unearthing resources to buffer the effects of life events on alcohol misuse is an essential next step.