Suppression of ethanol self-administration in alcoholics by contingent time-out from social interactions

摘要: Abstract In a residential research ward setting six volunteer chronic alcoholics were given daily access to 17 alcoholic drinks provided that minimum of 40 min elapsed between receiving successive drinks. Each drink contained 1 oz 95-proof ethanol in orange juice. During baseline phases subjects free and socialize on the dayroom. However, during social time-out not permitted for period following receipt each drink. This contingent manipulation was systematically replicated across three conditions which varied with respect number non-contingent privileges available. The results show suppressed drinking; its effectiveness depended directly upon available privileges. Within individual subjects, increasingly effective suppressing drinking as restricted.