Data from: Differing patterns of stress and craving across the day in moderate-heavy alcohol consumers during their typical drinking routine and an imposed period of alcohol abstinence

Background: Stress is a known factor related to alcohol use. However, how
the relationship between alcohol craving and stress varies across the day
is not fully understood. As craving is a consistent predictor of alcohol
use disorder (AUD), understanding stress and craving patterns across the
day in routine, non-dependent, moderate-heavy alcohol consumers may help
in understanding those who may be vulnerable to transitioning into AUD.
Method: Moderate-heavy drinkers were recruited from the local community
(n=32) and assessed for fluctuations in craving and stress intensity
across the day via Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) during 3
consecutive days of imposed alcohol abstinence (abstained trial) and their
normal drinking routine (normal trial). A multilevel modeling statistical
approach assessed differences in diurnal craving and stress patterns with
the Alcohol Craving Experience Questionnaire (ACE) examined as a
moderator. Results: Immediately following alcohol consumption on normal
trials, EMA craving levels were significantly reduced compared to
pre-drinking levels. Moreover, the post-drinking craving levels were lower
than on abstained trials. Higher ACE scores were associated with
significantly higher EMA craving across the day and higher peaks at
midday. Higher ACE scores were also associated with greater EMA stress
across the day. Drinking relieved stress relative to abstained trials, but
not in individuals with higher ACE scores. Higher stress was associated
with greater EMA craving, which was stronger among those with higher ACE
scores. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ACE scores are important
to understanding patterns of stress and craving experienced across the day
in routine, non-dependent, moderate-heavy drinkers and may provide new
insights for vulnerability to transitioning into AUD.