Problem drinking over the past year was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT).40 Responses on all items were summed to form a total score, which was then used in analyses. Recent life stress was assessed using a modified version of the Life Events Scale for Students (LESS).34 This modified version of the scale asks participants to indicate whether they experienced common stressful life events within the past 12 months; in addition, for each event that occurred participants reported on the impact it had on their lives on a 1–4 scale (with 4 being the highest). The impact scores were set to zero for events that did not occur. Based on prior research34, we focused on the highest impact metric. To ensure the specificity of our results to current life stress, we also assessed early life trauma using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ)41 and used CTQ Total scores as a covariate in all regression analyses. Current levels of anxiety and dysphoria were assessed using the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ). The MASQ provides four subscales – general
