PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY OF ALCOHOL

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Abstract
The change in affect accompanying an intravenous alcohol infusion was measured using the Clyde Mood Scale in 3 groups of depressed subjects. The change in affect with intoxication in patients with a history of excessive drinking was compared with the change in patients who had never used alcohol excessively. Both groups showed substantial improvement in several areas of affect but the moderate drinkers had significantly more improvement than the excessive drinkers. In a 3rd group of patients alcohol infusion was performed on 2 occasions: while severely depressed and again after remission of symptoms of depression. Intoxication during depression produced a profound improvement in a variety of affects. Significant improvement was seen in only 1 mood factor with the intoxication induced during remission. These findings indicate that the psycho-pharmacological influence of alcohol on affect is primarily a palliation of disordered affect and may be different in excessive drinkers than in moderate drinkers and abstainers.

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