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Alcohol Stimulation and Sedation: a Critical Review of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale

  • Alcohol (R Leeman, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) is widely used to assess stimulant and sedative alcohol effects. This paper reviews (a) recent measurement developments, (b) behavioral and physiological correlates, and (c) the role of the BAES in refining theories of SR and pharmacological interventions.

Recent Findings

An abbreviated scale (B-BAES) and a comprehensive measures of alcohol effects (SEAS) demonstrate strong psychometric properties and use of the BAES has helped refine the Differentiator Model of SR. Importantly, both BAES stimulation and sedation robustly predict risk for later alcohol problems, and the BAES has demonstrated utility in examining mechanisms of pharmacotherapy effects.

Summary

The BAES is the most widely used measure of SR and has informed both theory and practice. Recent findings point to important future directions including the need to (a) examine developmental influences, (b) refine our understanding of FH effects, and (c) consider expansion to capture novel aspects of SR.

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Notes

  1. PsycINFO literature search conducted in February 2017 of empirically reviewed articles with the “Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale” included as an administered measure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Stephen J. Boyd

  2. Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, 950 South McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ, 871104, USA

    William R. Corbin

  3. Department of Psychology, Oberlin College, 120 West Lorain, Oberlin, OH, 44074, USA

    Meghan E. Morean

  4. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Christopher S. Martin

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Boyd, S.J., Corbin, W.R., Morean, M.E. et al. Alcohol Stimulation and Sedation: a Critical Review of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale. Curr Addict Rep 4, 209–220 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0150-2

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