Research has shown that alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms are more likely to occur in college students than in their non-college peers. Some research has shown that substance use is common when access to alternative sources of reward is restricted. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between reward deprivation (lack of access to or inability to experience enjoyment from natural rewards) and AUD symptoms by examining reward availability, reward experience, depression, and problematic alcohol use among college drinkers. First and second year undergraduate students who reported a minimum of 2 heavy drinking episodes in the last month (n=392) participated in the study. Participants completed a computerized assessment that measured alcohol consumption, AUD symptoms, alcohol related consequences, reward deprivation, and depression. Of the participants in this study, 83.7% of participants reported experiencing 1 or more AUD symptom in the past year, of which 31.6% reported 2 or 3 symptoms, 19.5% reported 4 or 5 symptoms, and 13.9% reported 6 or more AUD symptoms. The average depression score was 8.43 meaning “normal”, however 31.1% of participants scored above a level of mild depression. The study also found that reward deprivation was significantly related to alcohol-related problems and AUD symptoms. More specifically, environmental suppressors (i.e. low reward availability) were significantly related, while reward probability (i.e. reward experience) was not.
Take away: The findings of this study indicate that individuals more likely to experience reward will experience fewer alcohol-related problems and AUD symptoms. Addressing factors that influence environmental suppression of reward is a promising approach to reduce the alcohol-related problems on college campuses. These factors could include poor social skills, limited socialization and recreational opportunities, difficulties integrating into the campus environment, uncertainty related to school or career goals, and living situations. Addressing any of these factors may improve reward availability and decrease alcohol consumption and related problems as a result.