be largely limited to retrospective/observational studies in humans if severe or traumatic stress is the target of inquiry. (Although in recent years electronic diaries and ecological momentary assessment have been used to study alcohol/stress interactions in “real time” in the natural environment [see Sher & Grekin, 2007], the base rate of traumatic exposures is likely too low to employ this technology to assessment traumatic stress.) Animal models can therefore provide critical information that may be difficult to obtain in humans.
