 |
|
Initiating drinking at younger age heightens women's risk for alcohol dependence
June 05, 2008Women born after 1944 began drinking alcohol at younger ages than their elders, and that appears to have put them at greater risk for alcoholism, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
On average, women born before 1944 began drinking at age 20. Those born after that started drinking alcohol at age 17, and they had a 50 to 80 percent greater risk for alcohol dependence, the researchers found.
"We had previously noted that women were catching up with men in their rates of drinking and alcohol dependence, and this earlier age at which they began drinking helps explain that finding," says Richard A. Grucza, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and first author on the study. "An early age at the onset of drinking is a strong predictor of subsequent alcohol dependence. About one in three individuals who start drinking at age 17 or younger become alcohol dependent. For those who wait until age 21 or older, that number is one in ten."
In April, Grucza's team reported that women are catching up with men in alcohol use and dependence. They found substantial increases in drinking and alcohol dependence among women born between 1944 and 1983, compared to those born between 1934 and 1943. The new research, published in the August issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and currently available at OnlineEarly, focuses on the ages at which men and women began to drink.
The researchers compared data from two surveys of alcohol use: the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey, gathered in 1991 and 1992, and from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, which was compiled 10 years later.
"In our previous work, we found that women born after 1944 had a substantially higher risk for alcohol dependence compared to those born prior to that," Grucza says. "Now we have found that women born during this 'high risk' period also began drinking earlier than their predecessors, and this earlier drinking might explain the higher rates of alcoholism. As the age of drinking onset got lower for women, the rates of alcohol dependence increased."
Both men and women born between 1944 and 1963 began drinking at younger ages than those born between 1934 and 1943. But the drop in age at the time that drinking began was twice as large in women (3.2 years) as it was in men (1.6 years).
Grucza says there has been controversy in the field of alcohol research over whether starting to drink at a younger age actually increases risk of alcohol dependence or whether that younger age at first drink is a marker for other risk factors, such as family environment, impulsivity, or other genetic traits and/or environmental factors that can influence risk.
Although some past research has linked a genetic predisposition to alcohol dependence with early-age drinking, Grucza says genetic changes alone can't explain the increases in alcohol dependence among women in this study.
"Since genes don't change over such a short of a period of time, genetics can't be the whole story," he says. "There is a lot of discussion about whether the minimum drinking age should be lowered again. Our findings would suggest that from a public-health point of view, lowering the legal drinking age might lead to increased rates of alcohol dependence."
An interesting sidebar to the current study is that between 1970 and 1975, 29 states lowered the legal drinking age. Those laws were reversed 10 years later, but during the 1970s, when many of the women in these studies took their first drinks, it was legal to consume alcohol at age 18 rather than 21.
Legal drinking age, Grucza says, is one of many factors influencing when a person begins to drink, and in future studies he and his colleagues plan to look more closely at the effects of drinking-age laws on both when a person begins to drink and their subsequent risk for alcohol dependence.
Washington University in St. Louis
In April, Grucza's team reported that women are catching up with men in alcohol use and dependence. They found substantial increases in drinking and alcohol dependence among women born between 1944 and 1983, compared to those born between 1934 and 1943. The new research, published in the August issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and currently available at OnlineEarly, focuses on the ages at which men and women began to drink.
The researchers compared data from two surveys of alcohol use: the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey, gathered in 1991 and 1992, and from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, which was compiled 10 years later.
"In our previous work, we found that women born after 1944 had a substantially higher risk for alcohol dependence compared to those born prior to that," Grucza says. "Now we have found that women born during this 'high risk' period also began drinking earlier than their predecessors, and this earlier drinking might explain the higher rates of alcoholism. As the age of drinking onset got lower for women, the rates of alcohol dependence increased."
Both men and women born between 1944 and 1963 began drinking at younger ages than those born between 1934 and 1943. But the drop in age at the time that drinking began was twice as large in women (3.2 years) as it was in men (1.6 years).
Grucza says there has been controversy in the field of alcohol research over whether starting to drink at a younger age actually increases risk of alcohol dependence or whether that younger age at first drink is a marker for other risk factors, such as family environment, impulsivity, or other genetic traits and/or environmental factors that can influence risk.
Although some past research has linked a genetic predisposition to alcohol dependence with early-age drinking, Grucza says genetic changes alone can't explain the increases in alcohol dependence among women in this study.
"Since genes don't change over such a short of a period of time, genetics can't be the whole story," he says. "There is a lot of discussion about whether the minimum drinking age should be lowered again. Our findings would suggest that from a public-health point of view, lowering the legal drinking age might lead to increased rates of alcohol dependence."
An interesting sidebar to the current study is that between 1970 and 1975, 29 states lowered the legal drinking age. Those laws were reversed 10 years later, but during the 1970s, when many of the women in these studies took their first drinks, it was legal to consume alcohol at age 18 rather than 21.
Legal drinking age, Grucza says, is one of many factors influencing when a person begins to drink, and in future studies he and his colleagues plan to look more closely at the effects of drinking-age laws on both when a person begins to drink and their subsequent risk for alcohol dependence.
Washington University in St. Louis
Alcohol Dependence Current Events and Alcohol Dependence News RSSChildhood risk factors for developing substance dependence
There is ample evidence for the genetic influence of alcohol dependence, and ongoing studies are actively looking for specific genes that may confer this increased susceptibility.
Young age at first drink may affect genes and risk for alcoholism
The age at which a person takes a first drink may influence genes linked to alcoholism, making the youngest drinkers the most susceptible to severe problems.
Common mental disorders may be more common than we think
The prevalence of anxiety, depression and substance dependency may be twice as high as the mental health community has been led to believe.
Study finds US prison system falls short in treating drug addiction
Almost a quarter of a million individuals addicted to heroin are incarcerated in the United States each year. However, many prison systems across the country still do not offer medical treatment for heroin and opiate addiction, despite the demonstrated social, medical and economic benefits of opiate replacement therapy (ORT).
Family history predicts presence and course of psychiatric disorders
A family history of depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence or drug dependence is associated with the presence of each condition and also may predict its course and prognosis.
To predict the severity of mental disease, consider the family
We've all been asked at routine visits to the doctor to record our family's history with medical problems like cancer, diabetes or heart disease. But when it comes to mental disorders, usually mum's the word.
Discovery may provide new treatments for alcohol dependence
Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, have discovered a new brain mechanism involved in alcohol addiction involving the stomach hormone ghrelin.
Site for alcohol's action in the brain discovered
lcohol's inebriating effects are familiar to everyone. But the molecular details of alcohol's impact on brain activity remain a mystery.
New gene discovery links obesity to the brain
A variation in a gene that is active in the central nervous system is associated with increased risk for obesity.
People with parents who fight are more likely to have mental health problems in later life
People with parents who were violent to each other are more likely to have mental health problems when they grow up.
More Alcohol Dependence Current Events and Alcohol Dependence News Articles
 |
Treating Alcohol Dependence: A Coping Skills Training Guide by Peter M. Monti PhD (Author), Ronald M. Kadden (Author), Damaris J. Rohsenow (Author), Ned L. Cooney PhD (Author), David B. Abrams Phd (Author) Now in a revised and expanded second edition, this book presents a straightforward, multi-session coping skills training program that has been proven effective in helping alcohol-dependent individuals. The volume provides everything needed to implement the program, including a clear theoretical and empirical rationale, step-by-step session guidelines, helpful clinical pointers, and over 40 reproducible client handouts, assessment instruments, and therapist forms. Sessions focus on developing key interpersonal and intrapersonal skills to help participants learn positive strategies for coping with the everyday demands of life and resisting the urge to drink. Updated throughout to reflect current ideas and research findings on addictive behavior change, the protocols in the second edition... |
 |
Doctor Nonas Tea Stopseen- Unique Formula, Will Help Reduce Alcohol Dependence,reguvinate and Cleanse Your Body. Pack Contains 24 Bags. Serving Size: 8oz (240 Ml) by Doctor Nona Doctor Nonas all natural herbal tea Stopseen specifically formulated to help reduce alcohol dependence, hangover duration and remove toxins and cleansing your body. In addition Stopseen contains natural antioxidants from Dead Sea,that help reduce free radicals damage from alcohol consumption. Retail Price $ 42.00 Sale Price $ 38.95 Special Offers and Product Promotions With order for $ 100.00 you will get absolutely FREE Doctor Nona Bag. (Retail $ 12.95) Please specify color you like. |
 |
(addictions) Treating Alcohol Dependence: A Coping Skills Training Guide, 2nd Edition, (ISBN 1572307935), by P. Monti, R. Kadden, D. Rohsenow, N. Cooney, & D. Abrams (10 CE Credits or 10 CME Credits only, book not included) by Red Toad Road Company TRAINING OBJECTIVES are to learn the following: The theoretical rationale for CBT coping skills training, the empirical support for coping skills training, the interpersonal skills taught in coping skills training, the intrapersonal skills taught in coping skills training, how to use Cue Exposure Treatment. .......................... CE/CME CREDITS ONLY: Please note that you must already have access to the training material (book, etc.) for this CE/CME course to purchase the CE/CME packet (CE/CME credits, test, training objectives rating form) by itself. If you do not already have access, then purchase the training material together with the CE/CME packet by searching for the combination (training material + CE/CME packet) by browsing under the title of the training material in the RTR... |
 |
Alcohol Dependence Lifeline Audio Books (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Eating Disorders: What's Eating Our Society? Also With: Brent R. Coyle (Producer), M.D. (Producer) Our society's obsession with food is killing us. From anorexia to bulimia to compulsive eating leading to obesity, it seems we are contradictorily eating or starving ourselves to death. Our conflict is evident even in our habits as consumers such that cookbooks and diet books alike routinely top the sales charts. To address this deadly dilemma, our introductory video explores primary issues associated with the full range of eating disorders. Dr. Coyle links this broad information about eating disorders to often over-looked issues of Self Esteem and Goal Setting as well as Addictions and Diet and Exercise. It is strongly suggested that this selection be used with the "Self-Esteem and Goal Setting (SEGS)" track. If the "SEGS" is not owned, we would suggest either the combination of... |
 |
7 Weeks to Safe Social Drinking: How to Effectively Moderate Your Alcohol Intake by Donna J Cornett (Author) Drink less, crave less and nip your problem drinking in the bud with the easy Drink/Link Moderate Drinking Program in this book! Drink/Link has helped thousands of drinkers worldwide to control drinking and prevent alcoholism since 1988. Over 80% of the drinkers who have completed this program have either cut their drinking in half or significantly reduced it! No meetings, drugs, belief in a higher power or professional help are required for you to succeed. First, you learn five healthy drinking guidelines. Then you're given clinically-proven strategies and techniques to help you stay within those guidelines. You'll learn to manage alcohol craving, how to slow down and pace your drinking, pre-plan for drinking occasions, learn from you slips and resolve issues that drive you to... |
|
|
(addictions) TREATING ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE, A COPING SKILLS TRAINING GUIDE, 2ND EDITION (Book + 10 CE Credits or 10 CME Credits) ISBN 1572307935 by P. Monti, R. Kadden, D. Rohsenow, N. Cooney, and D. Abrams (continuing education, psychology, social work, psychiatry, evidence based practice) by Red Toad Road Company TRAINING OBJECTIVES are to learn the following: The theoretical rationale for CBT coping skills training, the empirical support for coping skills training, the interpersonal skills taught in coping skills training, the intrapersonal skills taught in coping skills training, how to use Cue Exposure Treatment. .......................... DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to train mental health professionals to treat addictions and the dually diagnosed using a cognitive-behavioral coping skills training approach. The coping skills are taught in a highly structured 12-session format that focuses on interpersonal skills (e.g., assertiveness, conversational skills), intrapersonal skills (e.g., managing urges to drink, increasing pleasant activities), and Cue Exposure Therapy (CET). Clients... |
 |
Alcohol Dependence Chart by American 3B Scientific Alcohol Dependence Chart Alcohol Dependence ChartThis thickly laminated anatomical chart is printed on premium glossy (200 g) UV resistant paper and comes with 2 sided lamination (125 micron, 5.0 Mil) and metal eyelets to make the chart easy to display. It comes in a convenient poster size 50 x 67 cm (20x26’’) and can be written on and wiped off with non permenant markers. The 125 micron lamination ensures the chart does not curl up at the edges and the UV treament ensures the chart does not get a faded yellow color over time.Measurements:50 x 67 cm Weight: 0,15 kg Product photo may not exactly match the product offered for sale. Please refer to the product description. |
 |
Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence (Hazelden Guidebooks) by Carol Colleran (Author), Debra Jay (Author) Addiction among older adults is a hidden and hushed problem. Signs and symptoms of alcohol or medication abuse can easily be mistaken for conditions related to aging. And even when friends or family members recognize signs of addiction, they often discount the need for intervention or treatment. With an estimated three million older Americans struggling with alcohol and drug misuse and abuse, Aging and Addiction is a much-needed resource. The authors, both experts in the field of addiction treatment and intervention, provide a respectful, definitive guide for recognizing and addressing substance abuse among older adults. Key topics include: understanding the relationship between aging and addiction, finding help for a loved one, and recognizing the treatment needs of older adults. |
|
|
Medical Implications of Alcohol Dependence Lifeline Audio Books (Primary Contributor) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |