James M Clay1, Cameron Adams2, Peter Archer2, Mark English2, Abbey Hyde3, Lorenzo D Stafford3, Matthew O Parker4. 1. School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK. 2. School of Health Sciences and Social Work, University of Portsmouth, UK. 3. School of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, UK. 4. School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK. Electronic address: matthew.parker@port.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure to stress and trait impulsivity are independent predictors of relapse in recovering alcoholics, but potential mechanisms that link these two risk-factors in terms of their putative additive or interactive contributions to relapse are not known. The aim of this study was to use a model of stress-induced relapse to test the hypothesis that acute psychosocial stress increases craving for alcohol in social drinkers. We also tested the hypothesis that change in craving could be explained by variability in impulsivity and risk-taking. METHODS: Participants completed questionnaires to assess drinking behaviour (Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire [ADQ]; and an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT]), craving (Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire [DAQ] and impulsivity (Barrett Impulsiveness Scale [BIS]). Participants also completed two computer tasks to assess risk-taking and impulsivity, the Balloon Analogue Risk Test (BART) and a continuous performance task (CPT). Participants then underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and completed a final DAQ to assess post-stress craving. RESULTS: Participants showed an increase in craving following exposure to the TSST. In addition, risk-taking was positively correlated with change in craving. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that acute psychosocial stress increases subjective craving in social drinkers, but that the effects may be trait-dependent, with stress-induced increases in craving correlated with risk-taking.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to stress and trait impulsivity are independent predictors of relapse in recovering alcoholics, but potential mechanisms that link these two risk-factors in terms of their putative additive or interactive contributions to relapse are not known. The aim of this study was to use a model of stress-induced relapse to test the hypothesis that acute psychosocial stress increases craving for alcohol in social drinkers. We also tested the hypothesis that change in craving could be explained by variability in impulsivity and risk-taking. METHODS:Participants completed questionnaires to assess drinking behaviour (Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire [ADQ]; and an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT]), craving (Desires for Alcohol Questionnaire [DAQ] and impulsivity (Barrett Impulsiveness Scale [BIS]). Participants also completed two computer tasks to assess risk-taking and impulsivity, the Balloon Analogue Risk Test (BART) and a continuous performance task (CPT). Participants then underwent the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and completed a final DAQ to assess post-stress craving. RESULTS:Participants showed an increase in craving following exposure to the TSST. In addition, risk-taking was positively correlated with change in craving. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that acute psychosocial stress increases subjective craving in social drinkers, but that the effects may be trait-dependent, with stress-induced increases in craving correlated with risk-taking.
Authors: Hayley Treloar Padovano; Tim Janssen; Noah N Emery; Ryan W Carpenter; Robert Miranda Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2019-07-15 Impact factor: 2.164
Authors: Ijeoma Opara; Sana Malik; David T Lardier; Joyonna Gamble-George; Ryan J Kelly; Chukwuemeka N Okafor; R Neil Greene; Deanna Parisi Journal: Alcohol Treat Q Date: 2021-08-04