Loneliness, social drinking, and vulnerability to alcohol problems.

Abstract
The revised UCLA measure of loneliness was strongly correlated to measures of alcohol problems (adverse consequences, perceived problem drinker status, coping functions) when controlling for level of alcohol consumption. It was not strongly related to retrospective and self-monitoring measures of alcohol consumption or to most alcohol-related social variables. Both loneliness and alcohol problems were related to external locus of control over personal consequences and impulses. Loneliness is discussed as a source of differential vulnerability to alcohol problems among relatively heavy drinkers.