Research & Resources

<p>This study tested associations between alcohol craving among youth in the human laboratory using alcohol-related images, with and without peers, and in the natural environment using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Participants completed an image cue exposure paradigm at the baseline laboratory session followed by approximately 7 days of EMA. In the laboratory, all drinking images elicited greater cravings than neutral images. Image category by age interactions demonstrated that, compared to older youth, younger youth displayed lower craving in response to neutral images, versus images of social drinking contexts with peers. Compared to younger youth, older youth displayed higher craving in response to nonsocial drinking images, versus images of social drinking contexts with peers. In the natural environment, craving was greatest when youth were in the presence of alcohol-using peers and alcohol-related cues, regardless of age. Laboratory craving elicited by alcohol images was positively associated with craving in the natural environment.</p>

<p>This paper, “Peer-elicited alcohol craving in adolescents and emerging adults: Bridging the laboratory and natural environment,” was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and published in the journal <i>Alcohol: Clinical and experimental research.</i></p>