Alcohol Effects on Impulsivity in Alcoholism

This trial explores the relationship between impulsivity, personal reactions to alcohol, and Alcohol Use Disorder in young adults. Researchers aim to discover new prevention and treatment methods by reducing impulsivity and the desire to drink. Participants will attend sessions where they receive alcohol and a placebo (a substance with no active effect) to better understand these connections. This trial may suit individuals aged 21-25 who drink regularly and have reached a blood alcohol level above .08% at least once in the last month. As an Early Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding how these interventions work in people, offering participants a chance to contribute to groundbreaking insights.

If you are currently taking psychotropic medications (drugs that affect your mood, thoughts, or behavior), you will need to stop, as the trial excludes those who are using them or have a prescription for them in the past 30 days.

Research has shown that administering alcohol through an IV in a controlled setting is common in studies. These studies often compare alcohol to a placebo, such as a saltwater solution, to observe reactions. Some research suggests that impulsiveness may influence how people respond to alcohol. Other studies have found that the brain reacts less to alcohol after repeated exposure.

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how alcohol affects impulsivity in individuals with alcoholism through a unique method. Unlike typical treatments that might involve medications or behavioral therapies to manage alcohol dependency, this approach uses controlled intravenous administration of alcohol and placebo to observe changes in impulsivity. This method allows scientists to directly study the immediate effects of alcohol on behavior, providing insights that could lead to more effective interventions for managing impulsivity in alcoholism. By understanding these dynamics, the trial could pave the way for new strategies to help individuals with alcoholism make better decisions, potentially reducing relapse rates.

This trial will explore the effects of alcohol on impulsivity and subjective response in individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Participants in one arm of the trial will receive alcohol followed by a placebo, then engage in a free-access session to self-administer alcohol and placebo. In the other arm, participants will receive a placebo followed by alcohol, with a similar free-access session. Research has shown that impulsivity and subjective responses to alcohol are connected in ways that might predict or influence AUD. Studies have found that more impulsive individuals often feel more energized and less relaxed after drinking, especially in large quantities. Another study discovered that individuals who felt less control over their drinking reached higher blood alcohol levels when they received alcohol through an IV. These findings suggest that impulsivity and subjective responses to alcohol could be important areas to focus on for developing new treatments to reduce risky drinking behaviors.¹⁴⁶⁷⁸