In their book, Stress and Addiction, editors Gottheil, Druley, Pashko and Weinstein (1987) present many papers which test and/or discuss the Tension Reduction Hypothesis (TRH) theory of alcoholism. In the book, Stephen Lisman (1987) defines the TRH as comprising two basic propositions. These propositions are that:
(1) Alcohol consumption reduces stress-related fears and tensions; and
(2) It is the stress reduction effect that motivates people to drink.
However, it can be noted that all of the research and discussion of research presented in the book Stress and Addiction was conducted prior to 1987. It seems reasonable to state that a good deal of the findings presented in the book have been reworked during the last nine years. Given this fact, it can be noted that the purpose of this paper is to examine the more current research on the TRH, and to determine were it stands as a viable theory of alcoholism in more contemporary thought.
The Tension Reduction Hypotheses: Current Research
Since 1987, a good deal of the research on stress and its relationship to alcoholism has continued to utilize animals. In general, this research remains relatively mixed. For example, Champagne and Kirouac (1989) examined the effect of formaldehyde on voluntary alcohol intake in male rats.
Alcohol intake in Champagne and Kirouac's (1989) study was measured using individually determined alcohol concentrations. According to the authors, results did not support the tension reduction hypothesis; that is, stress induction did not enhance alcohol intake.
On the other hand, in a study of seven male rats, Milakofsky, Miller and Vogel (1989) examined for the effect of ethanol on plasma amino acids which tend to be products of stress in rats. The authors noted that the ethanol tended to change concentrations of plasma amino acids away from normal levels in nonstressed rats, whereas in stressed rats, ethanol tended to antagon...