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RESEARCH REPORT
Acute alcohol effects on impulsivity: associations with drinking and driving behavior
Article first published online: 10 AUG 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03974.x
© 2012 The Authors, Addiction © 2012 Society for the Study of Addiction
Additional Information
How to Cite
McCarthy, D. M., Niculete, M. E., Treloar, H. R., Morris, D. H. and Bartholow, B. D. (2012), Acute alcohol effects on impulsivity: associations with drinking and driving behavior. Addiction, 107: 2109–2114. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03974.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 20 NOV 2012
- Article first published online: 10 AUG 2012
- Accepted manuscript online: 12 JUN 2012 06:34AM EST
- Manuscript Accepted: 1 JUN 2012
- Manuscript Revised: 30 NOV 2011
- Manuscript Received: 15 AUG 2011
Funded by
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Grants. Grant Numbers: R01 AA 019546, T32 AA 013526
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Alcohol;
- delay discounting;
- drinking and driving;
- impulsivity
Abstract
Aims
Although drink drivers exhibit higher levels of trait impulsivity, no studies have tested the hypothesis that drink drivers experience increased impulsivity while intoxicated. We tested this hypothesis for two impulsivity constructs: delay discounting and behavioral inhibition.
Design
A within-subjects study comparing performance of drink drivers and non-drink drivers on behavioral measures of impulsivity in alcohol and no-beverage sessions.
Setting
A laboratory setting at the University of Missouri.
Participants
Twenty-nine young adults who were at least moderate drinkers were recruited from the local community and the University of Missouri.
Measurements
Impulsivity was assessed using the Two Choice Impulsivity Paradigm (TCIP) and the Stop-Signal Task. Participants also completed self-report measures of binge drinking and trait impulsivity.
Findings
In the no-beverage session, TCIP impulsive choices did not differ between drinking and driving groups (P = 0.93). In the alcohol session, drink drivers made more TCIP impulsive choices on both the ascending (P < 0.01) and descending limb (P < 0.01) of the blood alcohol concentration curve than their peers who did not drink and drive. Drinking and driving groups did not differ on the Stop-Signal Task. Supplementary analyses indicated that effects for the TCIP were not explained by individual differences in trait impulsivity.
Conclusions
Individuals who report having three or more drinks before driving show greater impulsivity when under the influence of alcohol than those who do not report heavy drinking before driving.