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Reference

Carroll, D., Hewitt, J.K., Last, K.A., Turner, J.R., & Sims, J. (1985). A twin study of cardiac

reactivity and its relationship to parental blood pressure. Physiology und Behmor, 34, 103-106.

SKIN C~NDU~ANCE RESPONSES IN ALCOHOLICS: EFFECTS OF CUE EXPOSURE CONDI~ONS

Jon C. LABERG

Hjeffestnd Cfinic, N-5066 Hjeffestad, Norwuy

Autonomic arousal, as indicated by skin conductance parameters, was studied in 13 male detoxified alcoholics during cue exposure conditions. Repeated presentations of drinking-related stimuli, combined with prevention of the drinking responses, have been shown to reduce subjective and behav- ioral indicators of craving in alcoholics. In the present experiment, a modified version of Rankin’s cue exposure procedure was used (Rankin, Hodgson, & Stockwell, 1983). Subjects were evaluated on skin conductance parameters before and after intake of a standard priming dose of alcohol, or non-alcohol. Subjects were then evaluated after cue exposure presentations of preferred beverage bottles containing the original content or a non-alcohol fluid. Each subject participated in six identical sessions. Subjects given alcohol before cue exposure showed higher levels of arousal, as indicated by skin conductance parameters, throughout all sessions. Immediately after alcohol intake, they showed increases in skin conductance level and the number of spontaneous skin conductance responses in all sessions. However, skin conductance param- eters showed a decrease towards baseline measures over repeated cue exposure sessions. It has been suggested that cue exposure and response prevention treatment of alcoholics may be more effective when combined with alcohol intake. Although such intake elicited physiologic indicators of arousal in the present experiment, habituation could be observed over sessions, Results may have implications for hypotheses regarding coping mechanisms and loss of control in alcoholics.

Reference

Rankin, H., Hodgson, R., & Stockwell, T. (1983). Cue exposure and response prevention with alcoholics: A controlled trial. Behaviaur Reseurch and Therapy, 21, 435-446.