Physiological Reactivity to Alcohol Cues and the Awareness of an Alcohol Effect in a Double‐Blind Placebo Design

Skin conductance level (SCL) was recorded during the presentation of a beer drink in 16 alcoholic patients. The instructions to subjects stated that the ‘beer’ that was to be consumed‘may or may not contain alcohol. ‘Following consumption of either real beer or placebo (non‐alcoholic malt beverage) the subjects were asked if they thought they had just consumed an alcoholic drink. SCL increases to the presentation of beer stimuli prior to consumption were highest among alcoholics who perceived the drink as ‘real beer’ following consumption. Perception of the drink as‘real bee' was not related to receiving real beer. The data suggest that autonomic reactivity to alcohol‐related cues can facilitate and/or interact with the expectations surrounding alcohol consumption in alcohol dependent individuals.