To examine the relationship of subjective alcohol response (stimulation, like, want more, and sedation) to future drinking, change scores for these 4 responses were calculated as follows: (high dose [60-minute–baseline] – placebo [60-minute – baseline]). The main calculations were based on scores at 60 minutes (peak BrAC) and for the high dose because this time point and dose level produced consistent changes on study measures and represent clinically relevant BrAC levels, ie, the US legal limit for intoxicated driving. Change scores for the low dose at peak BrAC were also examined to determine whether there were threshold effects. In addition, change scores for ascending (15-minute) and descending (120-minute) BrAC limbs were used to examine the differentiator model in detail. For objective alcohol response (cortisol), the 180-minute time point was used in the change score calculation because this interval corresponded with the peak cortisol levels and the delay in detecting levels in saliva.79
