The testing sessions for both phases were conducted in the afternoon and commenced between 12 and 5pm. To reduce alcohol expectancy, the Alternative Substance Paradigm(51) was used: participants were informed that their allocated beverage might contain a stimulant, sedative, alcohol, or a placebo, or a combination of these substances. Upon arrival, the participant completed self-report measures and engaged in objective breath tests to confirm compliance with recent alcohol abstinence. Urine samples were collected prior to one session, chosen randomly, for toxicology in all participants, and prior to each session for women to verify non-pregnancy. Participants were interviewed to confirm compliance with 3-hour abstinence from food, caffeine, and smoking. Each participant then consumed a standard snack at 20% of daily kilocalorie needs per body weight (55% carbohydrates, 10% protein, and 35% fat)(52) followed by acquisition of baseline measures for approximately 15–20 minutes.
