Determinants of control over drinking and intravenous alcohol self-administration in non-dependent drinkers

Authors

• CL Vaughan
• KM Corey
• BL Stangl
• VA Ramchandani

Abstract

Loss of control of alcohol consumption is a hallmark of alcohol use disorder, and a critical component of intervention approaches for reducing alcohol use. However, the relationship between impaired control and alcohol consumption in non-dependent drinkers is less clear. This study aimed to characterize the relationship between impaired control and intravenous alcohol self-administration (IV-ASA) in non-dependent drinkers, using the Computer-assisted Alcohol Infusion System (CAIS) method. Healthy non-dependent drinkers (N=32) completed an IV-ASA session where they could push a button to receive individually standardized alcohol infusions. IV-ASA measures included peak (PEAK) and average (AVG) Breath-Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), and subjective response measures. At baseline, participants completed the Impaired Control Scale (ICS) that has 3 subscales: attempted, failed, and perceived control over drinking. Other assessments included measures of personality, alcohol expectancy, and sensitivity to reward, and recent drinking history. Results indicated that individuals with higher ICS scores were also more sensitive to reward and had greater expectancy for the positive effects of alcohol. Participants with higher ICS scores had higher AVG and PEAK BrAC during IV-ASA. Regression analyses showed significant association between ICS scores and self-reported liking and wanting more alcohol during IV-ASA (all p’s

Scientific Focus Area: Social and Behavioral Sciences

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