Are we drunk yet? Motor versus cognitive cues of subjective intoxication.

BACKGROUND: Perception of alcohol intoxication presumably plays an important role in guiding behavior during a current drinking episode. Yet, there has been surprisingly little investigation of what aspects associated with intoxication are used by individuals to attribute their level of intoxication. METHODS: Building on recent laboratory-based findings, this study employed a complex field-based design to explore the relative contributions of motor performance versus cognitive performance-specifically executive control-on self-attributions of intoxication. Individuals recruited outside of bars (N = 280; mean age = 22; range: 18 to 32) completed a structured interview, self-report questionnaire, and neuropsychological testing battery, and provided a breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) sample. RESULTS: Results of a multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that current level of subjective intoxication was associated with current alcohol-related stimulant effects, current sedative effects, and current BrAC. After controlling for the unique variance accounted for by these factors, subjective intoxication was better predicted by simple motor speed, as indexed by performance on the Finger Tapping Test, than by executive control, as indexed by performance on the Trail Making Test. CONCLUSIONS: These results-generated from data collected in a naturally occurring setting-support previous findings from a more traditional laboratory-based investigation, thus illustrating the iterative process of linking field methodology and controlled laboratory experimentation.

Effects of naltrexone on neural and subjective response to alcohol in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent patients.

BACKGROUND: Positively reinforcing properties of alcohol are in part mediated by activation of the ventral striatum (VS). Alcohol-induced release of endogenous opioids is thought to contribute to this response. Preclinical studies show that the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) can block this cascade, but its ability to do so in treatment-seeking alcoholics has not been examined. Our objective was to study the effects of NTX on alcohol-induced VS activation and on amygdala response to affective stimuli in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent inpatients. METHODS: Sixty-three treatment-seeking alcoholics were randomized to receive NTX (50 mg) or placebo (PLC) daily. On Day 7, participants underwent an alcohol cue reactivity session, and craving was measured using the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale. On Day 9, participants received a saline infusion followed by an alcohol infusion and also viewed affective stimuli in a magnetic resonance scanner. RESULTS: Irrespective of medication treatment condition, the alcohol infusion did not activate the VS in the alcohol-dependent patients. Unexpectedly, VS activation was greater in NTX treated patients than in the PLC group. NTX treated patients also reported increased craving in response to alcohol cue exposure, and increased subjective response to alcohol ("high" and "intoxicated") compared to PLC subjects. No significant effects of alcohol infusion on brain response to affective stimuli were in the NTX or PLC groups. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous findings in social drinkers, a moderate level of intoxication did not activate the VS in treatment-seeking alcoholics. This is likely to reflect tolerance to the positively reinforcing properties of alcohol in this clinical population. Our findings may help explain the efficacy of NTX to reduce heavy drinking, but not to maintain abstinence.

A field investigation of the effects of drinking consequences on young adults' readiness to change.

In the research on readiness to change (RTC) one's drinking, there has been little assessment of the influence of positive drinking consequences or other potential moderating variables. To address these limitations, we examined how young adults' RTC their alcohol consumption shortly following a drinking episode was associated with self-reported drinking consequences, as well as any potential moderating effects of gender and Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC). In street interviews outside bars, 238 young adults were administered questionnaires about their drinking, including a measure examining participants' current readiness to reduce their alcohol consumption. Within 72h of their drinking episode, 67 participants (36 males; entire sample Mage=20.90years, Range=18-26years) completed an online survey, once again measuring RTC as well as positive and negative drinking consequences. Consistent with our hypothesis, positive drinking consequences were negatively associated with participants' changes in RTC. Additionally, a three-way interaction of gender×BrAC×positive drinking consequences on RTC showed that females with low BrACs reported higher RTC scores when they had endorsed fewer positive drinking consequences. Interestingly, negative drinking consequences alone did not impact individuals' RTC. Because positive drinking consequences were a significantly better predictor of RTC than were negative drinking consequences, researchers are advised to examine both types of consequences in future studies. Finally, effective alcohol education programs for those who have never consumed alcohol as well as social drinkers should include consideration of the experience of positive outcomes.