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Evaluation ViewAttendees 1

Addictive Behaviors
Session Type:: Symposia

Symposium 21 - Romantic Relationship Dynamics and Alcohol Use: Rigorous Science Aimed at Understanding Relationship Factors Related to Use and Efforts to Improve Treatment Outcomes by Involving Romantic Partners

Friday, November 21, 2025
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST
Location: Empire A, Level 2
CE: 1.5

Keywords: Addictive Behaviors, Couples / Close Relationships, Underserved Populations
Level of Familiarity: Basic to Moderate
Recommended Readings: McCrady, B.S., Wilson, A.D., Muñoz, R.E., Fink, B.C., Fokas, K. and Borders, A. (2016), Alcohol-Focused Behavioral Couple Therapy. Fam. Proc., 55: 443-459. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12231,   Derrick, J. L., Testa, M., Wang, W., & Leonard, K. E. (2023). Elixir of love or venom of violence: When does a drinking event result in couple intimacy or couple conflict?. Addictive behaviors, 136, 107488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107488,   Stewart, S. H., Rodriguez, L. M., Mackinnon, S. P., Brown, C. G., Arjona, R. N., Cosman, T., & Sherry, S. B. (2023). Links Between Romantic Relationship Dysfunction and Drinking Behaviors Are Moderated by Gender and Age. Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 84(3), 465–475. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.22-00278,   Leone, R. M., Jarnecke, A. M., Gilmore, A. K., & Flanagan, J. C. (2022). Alcohol use problems and conflict among couples: A preliminary investigation of the moderating effects of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Couple & family psychology, 11(4), 290–299. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000160,   Mutschler, C., Malivoire, B. L., Schumm, J. A., & Monson, C. M. (2022). Mechanisms and moderators of behavioural couples therapy for alcohol and substance use disorders: an updated review of the literature. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 50(3), 312–333. doi:10.1017/S1352465822000042

Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States, accounting for approximately 178,000 deaths annually (CDC, 2024; Pilar et al., 2020). Substantial research evidence has underscored the potential protective nature of high quality romantic relationships against alcohol misuse (for review see Rhule-Louie & McMahon, 2007). Thus, understanding the pathways through which relationship dynamics contribute to alcohol use, and may then be leveraged to improve treatment outcomes, is critical. This symposium highlights the use of rigorous clinical science methodologies and inclusive research that includes individuals from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in alcohol research in understanding alcohol use and misuse and its translation to accessible and efficacious interventions.

The first talk will present data from a clinical trial of couples receiving Alcohol Behavioral Couple Therapy (ABCT) via telehealth to increase accessibility of evidence-based interventions for alcohol misuse. Results highlight the feasibility and acceptability of ABCT delivered via telehealth. The second talk will discuss findings from an ecological momentary assessment study examining alcohol use behaviors in young adult dating couples. Results highlight the differential effects of relationship-specific drinking motives in the prediction of extent of alcohol consumption. The third talk will discuss findings from the first known study of the impact of support from a significant other on alcohol use among Black adults, and whether that impact varies by sex. Results highlight the importance of support from a romantic partner in the prediction of alcohol use days among this underrepresented population. Our discussant, Dr. Stewart, is a clinical psychologist with extensive research experience examining mechanistic factors underlying addictive behaviors and treatment implications, including relationship factors; she will discuss the empirical and clinical implications of this body of work

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
  1. Attendees will be presented with a review of the extant literature on romantic relationship dynamics and their implications for alcohol use.
  2. Identify factors underlying romantic relationship dynamics and alcohol use, highlighting findings among underrepresented groups.
  3. Describe the feasibility and benefits of more accessible dyadic treatment interventions for patients with alcohol misuse.

Presentations:

  • 5:03 PM - 5:22 PM CST
    (SYM 21) Alcohol Behavioral Couple Therapy Delivered via Telehealth in a Clinical Trial Setting: A Mixed-methods Examination

    Speaker: Julianne C. Flanagan, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Medical University of South Carolina

    Co-author: Michaela Hoffman, Ph.D. – Medical University of South Carolina

    Co-author: Stacey Sellers, M.S. – Medical University of South Carolina

    Co-author: Morgan Thomas, B.A. (she/her/hers) – Medical University of South Carolina

    Co-author: Paul Nietert, PhD – Medical University of South Carolina, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

    Co-author: Julie Hurd, Ph.D. – Ralph H Johnson VA

    Co-author: Shannon Forkus, Ph.D. – Medical University of South Carolina

    Co-author: Barbara McCrady, Ph.D. – University of New Mexico

  • 5:22 PM - 5:06 PM CST
    (SYM 21) Relationship-specific Motives for Alcohol Use in College Dating Couples: An EMA Study

    Speaker: Jaye L. Derrick, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Houston

    Co-author: Eun-Ji Song, B.A., M.A. – University of houston

    Co-author: Katie MacEachern, B.S. – University of houston

    Co-author: Lindsay J. Browne, B.A., M.A., Ph.D – University of houston

  • 5:41 PM - 6:00 PM CST
    (SYM 21) The Impact of Significant Other Support and Sex on Alcohol Use Among Black Adults: An Analysis from Ecological Momentary Assessment

    Speaker: Katharine L. Thomas, B.A. (she/her/hers) – Louisiana State University

    Co-author: Michael J. Zvolensky, Ph.D. – University of Houston

    Co-author: Julia D. Buckner, Ph.D. – Louisiana State University