Shannon Lopez

Presentation Title

Poured under pressure: Exploring the behavioral effects of alcohol use and stress

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized as a loss of control over drinking, preoccupation with drinking, and continued use despite negative consequences. Increased use of alcohol can result in tolerance, sensitization and withdrawal symptoms due to accommodations the body makes for the continued presence of alcohol. Although males have higher rates of AUD, the trajectory of AUD is more rapid in females with past evidence indicating that females are more sensitive to stress-induced changes in AUD-related behavior, however, this reason is unknown. The COVID-19 pandemic presented various challenges for people and the consequences from the stress of the pandemic are still being unraveled today. Additionally, repeated unpredictable stress has been well-characterized to promote AUD-related behavior. Here, I investigate the behavioral cross-sensitization between stress and alcohol in a model of repeated stress.