Could Alcohol Anticipation-Related Glucose Responses Contribute to a Physiological Drive to Consume Alcohol?

<i>Background:</i> Excessive alcohol drinkers have previously been observed to experience alcohol craving at the mere sight of alcohol alone. This is typically considered to be a result of maladaptive cognitive motivations. However, there may be physiological drivers affecting this craving also. Blood glucose levels have previously been found to be affected by anticipation of carbohydrate ingestion. <i>Objectives:</i> Therefore, this paper explored whether blood glucose levels of excessive alcohol drinkers was affected by alcohol anticipation. Participants were led to believe they would be drinking alcohol. A blood glucose reading was taken before and after this event so that a measure of blood glucose change could be recorded. <i>Results:</i> It was found that excessive alcohol drinkers demonstrated a decrease in blood glucose levels overall. These results demonstrate that alcohol anticipation in excessive drinkers is associated with a decrease in blood glucose as a result of an anticipation-related physiological response. <i>Conclusions:</i> These results may imply that excessive alcohol drinkers may have a physiological drive to consume alcohol in order to replenish blood glucose, which may exacerbate feelings of alcohol craving.