Facing temptation in the bar: counteracting the effects of self-control failure on young adults' ad libitum alcohol intake

Background and Aims The self‐control strength model suggests that exertion of self‐control leads to poorer subsequent self‐control performance. Failure of self‐control has been suggested as an important underlying mechanism of excessive drinking. This study tested the effects of self‐control failure on ad libitum drinking, and the potential moderating role of glucose and self‐awareness on this relationship. Design The current research examined in two experiments whether the effects of self‐control failure were different for males and females, and whether glucose (experiment 1) and self‐awareness (experiment 2) would counteract the effects of self‐control failure. A between‐participants design with four conditions was employed in each experiment. Setting A semi‐naturalistic drinking setting in the form of a laboratory bar. Participants Undergraduate students recruited at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands (experiment 1: n = 106; experiment 2: n = 108). Measurements The total amount of alcohol consumed during an experimental break (observational data) and questionnaire data on drinking patterns. Findings Self‐control failure led to increased levels of drinking in males (P