Effects of alcohol cues and alcohol intoxication on drug use expectancies among men who have sex with men

Abstract

Although alcohol and drug use have been identified as HIV-risk factors for men who have sex with men (MSM), little is known about how they interact. An alcohol administration paradigm was used to examine alcohol's cue and pharmacological effects on perceived drug use benefits and consequences in 117 MSM. Planned contrasts indicated that those in the alcohol cue (i.e., placebo) condition reported lower perceived drug consequences compared to controls. No cue effects were found for drug benefits. There was no pharmacological effect of alcohol as compared to alcohol cue on either outcome. Findings suggest that alcohol cues may influence the perception of consequences related to drug use, which has implications for health interventions targeting substance use and HIV risk.