The dual-process model in young adults with a consistent binge drinking trajectory into adulthood

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Binge drinking (BD) typically decreases after university, but a persistent high-risk group continues into adulthood.
• This adult BD group remains under-investigated, necessitating prioritized intervention strategies.
• The dual-process model provides a framework to understand the interplay between reflective and affective systems in persistent BD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between binge drinking and executive functions (reflective system) and alcohol bias (affective system) in young adults.
• To examine the moderating role of impulsivity in the association between binge drinking and alcohol bias.
• To identify cognitive mechanisms underlying the persistence of binge drinking into adulthood.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal cohort of 63 young adults (18-29 years) was followed for eleven years.
• Neuropsychological assessments included executive functions (working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition) and alcohol bias.
• Impulsivity was measured using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale; statistical analyses employed generalized linear mixed models and moderation models.

Main Results:

• Binge drinking correlated with weaker inhibitory control, poorer working memory, and greater alcohol bias.
• Non-planning impulsivity moderated the relationship, with significant alcohol bias at moderate impulsivity levels.
• These cognitive deficits were associated with loss of drinking control and increased alcohol use severity.

Conclusions:

• An imbalance between impaired cognitive control and heightened alcohol bias may sustain binge drinking into adulthood.
• Findings underscore the complexity of the dual-process model in persistent binge drinking.
• The results have significant implications for developing targeted interventions for this high-risk adult population.