Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to T F Babor.
Self-report questionnaires assessing various drinking behaviors and constructs were administered to subjects in two separate empirical studies of longitudinal drinking patterns. The results suggest that self-report measures of both specific and general drinking behavior accurately differentiate drinkers who vary in frequency and intensity of alcohol consumption.
An experimental analogue of a discount drink policy known as the "happy hour" was used to study the effects of purchase price on drinking behavior. Male volunteers with a prior history of either casual (N=20) or heavy (N=14) drinking were given free access to beverage alcohol during a 20-day period. Approximately half the subjects could purchase alcohol under a single-price condition (50 cents/drink), while a matched group was given a price reduction daily (25 cents/drink) during a three-hour period in the afternoon. The results demonstrated that the afternoon price reduction significantly increased alcohol consumption in both casual and heavy drinkers. Reinstatement of the standard purchase price effectively suppressed drinking in both groups. The findings are discussed in terms of the theoretical and research implications of environmental influences on drinking.
Four-person groups of moderate and heavy marijuana users were studied in a group discussion situation during marijuana intoxication. Amount of participation and role behavior were compared to nonintoxicated baseline performance and to that of a no-drug control group. During intoxication, moderate users were less task-oriented and participated less in group discussion. These findings were interpreted in terms of cognitive, motivational, and physiological reactions to marijuana. The lack of any social effect on heavy users suggested the existence of behavioral tolerance.
Adult male volunteers with a prior history of either moderate (N = 12) or heavy (N = 14) marijuana use were systematically observed before, during, and after a 21-day period of free access to marijuana cigarettes. Data relevant to social interaction and recreational preferences were collected at hourly intervals. Moderate users consumed an average of 2.6 cigarettes per day and showed both acute and persistent (21-day) decrements in social interaction. Heavy users consumed 5.7 cigarettes per day but indicated fewer social reactions. The results suggested that marijuana inhibits social interaction in moderate users but behavioral tolerance in heavy users may mitigate this effect.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult male volunteers with a prior history of either moderate (N = 12) or heavy (N = 14) marihuana use were systematically observed before, during and after a 21-day period of free access to 1 g 2% delta-9 THC marihuana cigarettes. A matched sample of casual alcohol drinkers (N = 11) served as a control group. Sleep and other molar behaviors were observed hourly to obtain a representative sample of daily activity. Both moderate and heavy users were less active immediately after marihuana use and slept more on days following heavier consumption. Heavy users reduced their waking activity on days following heavier consumption, as well as during the entire period of marihuana availability. These reactions did not persist beyond the period of availability for either group. The findings suggest a dose-related delayed reaction to heavy marihuana consumption which disappears following the cessation of regular use. However, changes in activity following single doses of marihuana may be related more to the social circumstances of its use than to its pharmacological action.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
In a study of social interaction during an experimental addiction cycle, male narcotic addicts expressed more hostility after higher doses of heroin. No consistent role variations were observed in dominance, friendliness, or therapeutic-orientation.