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Craving imagery in harmful drinkers: A phenomenological study

Yates, MJ; (2016) Craving imagery in harmful drinkers: A phenomenological study. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This thesis is presented in three parts. The work explores the effect of a low, non-satiating ‘priming’ dose of alcohol on cognitive and behavioural outcomes, especially those implicated in craving or continued alcohol consumption. Part one provides a meta-analytic literature review of examining the effects of a low alcohol dose on a range of cognitive, subjective and behavioural outcomes. Thirty studies were analysed, providing data across twelve performance outcome categories. Results indicated that a low dose of alcohol can have significant effects on many performance domains, but that the magnitude of these effects varied considerably depending on the outcome investigated. Additionally, results demonstrated the role of alternative environmental rewards in potentially reducing many of these impairing effects. Part two explores the phenomenology of substance-related mental imagery (SRI), implicated in the experience of craving. The pharmacological effect of a ‘priming’ dose of alcohol on this imagery was investigated using a single blind within-subjects experimental design comparing alcohol to matched placebo. The study found that not only does SRI differ phenomenologically from neutral imagery; there is a distinct pharmacological effect of alcohol on SRI. This effect appears focussed on features of imagery that serve to narrow attention and increase focus on the experienced image. Part three is a critical appraisal focused on the experimental study outlined in part two. This explores the process of designing a substance-related imagery schedule which attempted to capture the experience of craving imagery, and the theoretical and empirical evidence used to guide this. It also reflects on some of the limitations of controlled experimental designs in accurately measuring such imagery, and considers possibilities for a greater breadth of methodological approaches in future research.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Title: Craving imagery in harmful drinkers: A phenomenological study
Event: University College London
Language: English
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1521039
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