Underlying mechanisms in the relationship between stress and alcohol consumption in regular and risky drinkers (MESA): methods and design of a randomized laboratory study

• DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00942-1
• Publication Date: 2022-10-15T10:02:44Z
• Authors: Charlotte Wittgens; Markus Muehlhan; Anja Kräplin; Max Wolff; Sebastian Trautmann
• Keywords: Motivation; AUD; Alcohol Drinking; Ethanol; Ad-libitum taste-test; BF1-990; 3. Good health; TSST; Study Protocol; Alcoholism; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Impulsive Behavior; Psychology; Humans; Acute stress; Risky alcohol consumption

Abstract Background Excessive alcohol consumption and use disorders (AUD) are among the leading preventable causes of premature morbidity mortality considered a major public health concern. In order to reduce individual societal burden excessive use, it is crucial identify high-risk individuals at earlier stages provide effective interventions prevent further progression. Stressful experiences important risk factors for AUDs. However, underlying biological psychological mechanisms still poorly understood. Methods The project “Underlying in relationship between stress regular risky drinkers (MESA)” randomized controlled study that started December 2018 conducted laboratory setting, which aims moderators mediators acute drinkers. Regular randomly assigned induction or control condition. Several processes may mediate (emotional distress, endocrine autonomic reactivity, impulsivity, inhibitory control, motivational sensitization) moderate (trait childhood maltreatment, basal HPA-axis activity) relation investigated. As primary dependent variable, motivation consume following psychosocial measured. Discussion results this could help valuable targets future research on tailored stress-related consumption.