These discrepant findings by loneliness subtype may be ascribed to differences in subjective manifestations, in that emotional loneliness is a more severe form of loneliness that overlaps significantly with other negative affective states and promotes a coping response, while social loneliness may be readily alleviated by adaptive behavioral strategies for some, and social withdrawal for others. These findings offer insight into the nuances of loneliness-drinking relations and their clinical implications.