Examining the Role of Sensitivity to Uncertain Threat and Alcohol Response in Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder Following Sexual Assault in College Women

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether women who engage in heavy drinking with a history of sexual assault (SA) victimization show heightened baseline reactivity to uncertain threat (U-threat), whether alcohol reduces this reactivity and related anxiety, and how these processes link to real-world drinking behavior. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Test whether heavy drinking women with a history of SA display exaggerated baseline reactivity to U-threat. * In the lab, test whether alcohol intoxication is associated with decreases in reactivity to U-threat and subjective anxiety, particularly in heavy drinking women with a history of SA. * In the real-world, test associations between SA victimization, reactivity to U-threat, alcohol consumption, and anxiolytic relief. Participants will: * Complete a screening and orientation session * Complete two experimental lab sessions that will include intravenous (IV) administration of either 80mg% alcohol or placebo (saline), order counterbalanced * Complete daily ecological momentary assessments (EMA) surveys for 21 days * Wear a transdermal alcohol wrist biosensor (BACTrack Skyn) for 21-days

Eligibility

Age range

21–29 years

Sex

Female

Healthy volunteers

No