EFFECT OF STRESS ON PERCEIVED INTOXICATION AND THE BLOOD-ALCOHOL CURVE IN MEN AND WOMEN

To determine the influence of stress on intoxication and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 60 healthy male and female volunteers were expose d to a cold presser test, distressing film, or control condition after consuming a moderate dose of alcohol. Two measures of perceived intox ication suggested a sobering effect of acute stressors. In addition, S s viewing the distressing film showed longer latency to peak BAC than Ss in the control condition. As BAC began to fall, the cold presser te st initially increased rate of alcohol elimination. These stress-induc ed changes in intoxication and the BAC curve support a biobehavioral m odel in which stress may increase alcohol use partly because it attenu ates alcohol's psychopharmacological impact.