Individual and Contextual Factors That Influence Sexual Decisions
Binge Drinking, Unsafe Sex, HIV/AIDS
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Binge Drinking focused on measuring Alcohol, Delay Discounting, Risky Sexual Behavior, Decision Making, MSM
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- single (i.e., not in a mutually monogamous relationship for at least 3 months)
- sexually active as defined by any anal sex (i.e., receptive or insertive) with another man in the past 12 months
- have had condomless anal sex with a male partner in their lifetime
- have had at least one sexual encounter with a male partner met online in their lifetime
- characterized as a current heavy drinker, as defined by self-report of one or more episodes of heavy drinking (i.e., ≥5 standard drinks in a single occasion) during the past 30 days; and 5) HIV negative, based on self-report.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Non-drinkers and light to moderate drinkers
- Individuals with current alcohol problems (as indexed by an AUDIT score ≥16)
- Individuals with current drug problems (as indexed by a DAST score ≥6)
- Females (as this is a study of men who have sex with men).
Sites / Locations
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction StudiesRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Sham Comparator
Alcohol
Placebo
True Control
In the alcohol condition (target BrAC = 0.080g%), the participant will be told he is receiving alcohol and will receive beverages of 1:4 parts vodka and tonic water with dashes of lime juice and mint, all mixed in his presence.
In the placebo condition (target BrAC = 0.000g%), the participant will be told he is receiving alcohol but will receive beverages of 1:4 parts flat tonic water (served from a vodka bottle) and tonic water, with a minimal amount of vodka "floated" on the surface (using a lime juice bottle) to provide the smell and taste of vodka, with lime juice and mint, all mixed in his presence and served in glasses with vodka-soaked rims.
In the true control (or nonalcohol) condition, the participant will be told he is receiving no alcohol and will be given water (poured in his presence) in a volume comparable to the other conditions.