Drug /Cue Interactions In Alcohol-Tobacco Comorbidity

• Psychophysiological Reactivity Assessment [ Time Frame: approximately 5 weeks per participant ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  To assess cravings and psychophysiological reactivity elicited by alcohol, smoking, and neutral cues following acute intake of alcohol and nicotine among individuals across a broad range of alcohol and cigarette use patterns (Study 1).
  
  

• Alcohol Self-administration Assessment [ Time Frame: approximately 5 weeks per participant. ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  To assess alcohol self-administration upon exposure to alcohol or smoking-related cues following acute intake of alcohol, nicotine, or both drugs among individuals across a broad range of alcohol and cigarette use patterns (Study 2).
  
  

The present project will improve and expand upon previously published work in several ways. First, Study 1 will assess reactivity to alcohol and smoking cues in the same session. Second, both studies will include within-subjects design factors to manipulate alcohol and nicotine intake, as well as cue types. Third, craving indices will represent three important response domains: subjective, physiological, and behavioral (e.g., Niaura et al., 1991). Fourth, each study will evaluate a range of drinkers and smokers, which will provide maximal information concerning influences on alcohol and smoking cue reactivity across various subject populations. The proposed studies are not only important from a theory development perspective, but they will provide an excellent foundation for future laboratory-based and clinical research.