(Hussong, 2003). And, third, individual differences in the extent to which alcohol actually functions to physiologically reduce tension and stress also may impact this risk. Notably, COAs experience greater reductions than do children of non-alcoholic parents in their physiological stress response when they use alcohol (particularly when they use heavily) versus when they are sober (Sher & Levenson, 1982; Sher et al., 2007). Alcohol, in particular, may then be a more effective short-term coping strategy for COAs and this may in turn increase their coping motives for drinking.
