Trauma exposure has consistently been reported as a risk factor for alcohol use and related problems (Kendler et al., 2000, Kilpatrick et al., 2000, Sartor et al., 2013b, Zinzow et al., 2009). Both assaultive traumas (i.e. sexual and physical assault) and non-assaultive exposures have been found to increase problem drinking behaviors (Cerda et al., 2011, Keyes et al., 2011, North et al., 2004). Overall, research has reported significantly elevated risk for early initiation of alcohol use and development of alcohol use disorder in trauma survivors (Danielson et al., 2009, Sartor et al., 2010) with mixed findings pertaining to the specificity and strength of the relationship between trauma and alcohol outcomes when accounting for PTSD. Some research suggests the relationship between trauma exposure and problem alcohol involvement is only indirect, mediated through PTSD (Epstein et al., 1998), while others report trauma exposure uniquely contributes to alcohol involvement above and beyond PTSD (Danielson et al., 2009, Kilpatrick et al., 2000, Sartor et al., 2010). Klilpatrick et al.’s (2000) investigation of substance abuse in adolescence reported childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and
