Abstract
Research suggests situational pain may motivate alcohol consumption, suggesting that pain may be an antecedent for problematic drinking behavior. In this pilot project, we assessed the effect of a painful thermal stimulus on drinking topography in a virtual reality bar environment using real alcohol-containing beverages. We also examined psychosocial factors that may account for individual differences in pain as an antecedent for alcohol use. Participants (N = 20, Mage = 25.65 years, 55% female, 15% Hispanic/Latino/a/x) completed a psychosocial screening battery before completing two counterbalanced alcohol self-administration sessions. In each, participants experienced either painful heat (44 °C) or nonnoxious warmth (38 °C). Sip interval (s) and sip volume (g) were measured. Effects of pain on drinking topography were assessed using multilevel models. Multilevel models assessed associations of pain-related changes in topography with hypothesized vulnerability factors. Analyses indicated a significant interaction of pain condition and sex on sip interval (b = -.16.96, p = .015, 95% CI [-30.75, -2.97]), such that painful heat significantly decreased sip interval in men (b = 16.38) but not women (b = -.45). No effect of pain on sip volume was detected (p > .49). Exploratory analyses indicated significant interactions such that the effect of the painful heat condition was stronger in individuals with higher levels of greater negative urgency but the opposite effect for pain catastrophizing. Results suggest acute pain has sex-contingent effects on drinking topography, such that men drank more rapidly while experiencing painful heat. Furthermore, analyses indicated that individuals with greater negative urgency, regardless of sex, may be at elevated risk for hazardous alcohol use when experiencing pain. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
