The Effects of Alcohol Priming on the Subsequent Value of Alcohol

Previous research has investigated the effects of substance priming (i.e., substance exposure or preload) on the subsequent value of alcohol. Studies suggest that substance priming may serve as a cue, resulting in increased desire for the substance or drug-related behavior; however, results have been inconsistent. The current studies aimed to examine the effects of a priming dose of alcohol, compared with placebo, on the relative reinforcing effects of subsequent alcohol.

Undergraduate students (Study 1: N = 46 [33 women]; Study 2: N = 69 [50 women]) completed the Multiple Choice Procedure (MCP) during individual, lab-based sessions. The MCP was used to assess the relative reinforcing value of alcohol compared with concurrently available alternatives. Study 1 compared a standard dose of alcohol (one standard drink) with placebo, and Study 2 compared g/kg dosing of alcohol (controlling for gender) with placebo.

Data revealed no statistically significant priming effect of alcohol on the subsequent value of alcohol in either study.

The conditions under which alcohol priming does (and does not) occur are still not fully understood, and further systematic work is necessary to determine potential clinical utility.