Psychological Functions of Drinking in Alcohol Dependent Women: An Exploration Based on a Dimensional Framework

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Abstract
Psychological functions of alcohol are consequents of drinking that the drinker experiences as positive or as having positive aspects. A taxonomy of functions of alcohol was constructed on the basis of four dimensions. In semi-structured interviews with 45 volunteer alcohol dependent women, 35 functions were distinguished, which could be placed in the taxonomy and reliably coded. Functions of alcohol not only consisted of reduction of stress but also of effects on a variety of behaviors. Functionality of alcohol use was often indirect, i.e. not directly related to the (real or expected) pharmacological action of alcohol but to its social and cultural meanings. Almost twice as many functions were reported for the maintenance period of drinking as in the early drinking history. Early functions were limited to specific areas; the later functions extended to a range of personal problems. The taxonomy can serve as a tool for a more systematic study of the functionality of alcohol.