THE stress of pain can make people act impulsively and booze faster, say scientists.
One in three Britons suffer long-term afflictions and experts warn it could drive them to drink.
AlamyScientists say the stress of pain can make people act impulsively and booze faster[/caption]
They gave 20 subjects a beer or cider and a virtual reality kit to mimic being in a bar.
Some of the test group had a warm 38C heat placed on their leg while others had a painfully-hot 44C.
Those in the hotter group sipped more quickly from their bottle, with shorter breaks between each mouthful.
Experts noted the blokes did not take bigger gulps but got through drink at a higher rate.
They said it is because of “negative urgency” — where we make rash decisions to try to get out of distress.
Women were not affected in the same way as men and managed to keep a cool head, the researchers said.
Study author Professor Jeff Boissoneault, from the University of Florida, said: “This is important because the way that someone drinks alcohol can change the risks.
“It may lead to greater risk for consequences including accidents or injuries and health issues. Although using alcohol may provide some pain relief in the moment, it can also make pain worse over time.”
He added of the findings in journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology: “Men drank more rapidly while experiencing painful heat.
“This suggests pain may motivate alcohol consumption and be a trigger for problematic drinking behaviour.”