Initial Effects of Liking, Wanting Alcohol Linked to Later Development of Alcohol Use Disorder

Young adults who are particularly sensitive to the pleasurable effects of alcohol appear more likely to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD) within a decade than those who do not experience these feelings as young adults, according to astudy inAJP in Advance. The study also found that people who developed AUD over the 10-year period reported increases in wanting alcohol over time.“[M]arked stimulant-like, pleasurable, and appetitive effects after consuming alcohol are risk factors for the development and maintenance of addiction,” wrote lead author Andrea King, Ph.D., of the University of Chicago and colleagues.King and colleagues analyzed follow-up data on 184 adults aged 21 to 35 years old enrolled in the Chicago Social Drinking Project —a study with repeated laboratory assessments of acute responses to alcohol compared with placebo over a 10-year period. For inclusion in the study, the participants had to weigh between 110 and 210 pounds, have good general health, and have no current or past major medical or psychiatric disorder s.For the initial evaluation as well as five and 10 years later, participants attended two individual four- to five-hour laboratory sessions, where they were asked to drink a beverage containing alcohol or placebo (placebo was masked to taste like alcohol). After consuming the beverage during these sessions, the participants were evaluated using the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (assessed stimulation and sedation) and repeatedly asked such que...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: ajp in advance alcohol use disorder AUD Chicago Social Drinking Project liking wanting Source Type: research