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Individual differences in behavioral and subjective responses to alcohol
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|February 1, 1987
Summary
Individual differences in how people respond to alcohol influence their choice behavior. Some consistently prefer alcohol, experiencing increased elation, while others prefer placebo, showing decreased positive mood effects.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Alcohol's reinforcing properties are key to understanding its use and potential for misuse.
- Subjective effects of alcohol vary significantly among individuals.
- Assessing individual differences in alcohol preference and response is crucial for addiction research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reinforcing properties of alcohol in humans.
- To examine the subjective effects of alcohol across different individual preference groups.
- To identify personality and demographic factors associated with alcohol choice.
Main Methods:
- A seven-session choice procedure involving alcohol and placebo beverages.
- Subjects (n=29) sampled and then chose their preferred beverage.
- Mood, cognitive performance, drug liking, and personality measures were collected.
Main Results:
- Three distinct groups emerged: consistent alcohol choosers, alternators, and consistent placebo choosers.
- Alcohol increased elation and vigor in consistent alcohol choosers but decreased these in placebo choosers.
- Consistent alcohol choosers reported higher marijuana use, sensation seeking, and psychopathic traits.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in subjective response to alcohol predict beverage choice.
- Personality factors like sensation seeking may be linked to alcohol's reinforcing effects.
- Findings suggest varying vulnerabilities to excessive alcohol use based on individual responses.