A study found associations between human NPY receptor genes and a more severe subtype of alcohol dependence, characterized by withdrawal symptoms or coexisting alcohol and cocaine dependence. The research suggests that certain genetic variants may be associated with increased risk of AD and seizures in humans.
A new study finds that non-daily smokers are 16 times more likely to be hazardous drinkers than non-smokers, and five times more likely to meet criteria for an AUD. The study suggests that casual smoking may promote hazardous drinking behavior.
A recent study found associations between variations in ghrelin genes and increased risk of heavy alcohol consumption and obesity. The research suggests that the ghrelin system may play a role in the brain-reward systems underlying addictive behaviors, including compulsive overeating and drug dependence.
A new study has found that off-premise alcohol outlets can lead to increased injuries among neighborhood children due to reduced guardianship and social disorganization. Neighborhoods with high densities of alcohol outlets have been shown to have more injuries, particularly those with impoverished and disorganized environments.
A new study finds that binge drinking among women attending an urban STD clinic is linked to high rates of gonorrhea, anal sex, and multiple sex partners. Women binge drinkers are five times more likely to have gonorrhea than non-drinking women.
A recent study found that individuals appearing underage and intoxicated can purchase alcohol at professional sports stadiums, with sales rates of 18% for pseudo-underage buyers and 74% for pseudo-intoxicated buyers. Location was a key factor, with sales in the stands being 2.9 times more likely than at concession booths.
A study found that alcohol dependence in women is associated with delayed reproduction, including menstrual disorders and unplanned pregnancies. Women who drink may want to consider the long-term consequences of drinking on later childbearing.
A new study has identified several specific white matter regions and deep gray matter areas of the brain sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to map brain structure, revealing widespread diffusion abnormalities beyond the corpus callosum.
A study found that AA attendees drink more coffee than the general population and smoke to reduce depression, anxiety, and irritability. Coffee consumption may also have health benefits, including reducing the risk of death from suicide and certain cancers.
A new study found that prenatal drinking has a significant impact on neurotrophins in rats, but environmental enrichment does not mitigate these effects. Researchers discovered that prenatal alcohol exposure generally increased brain neurotrophin levels, which may serve as a compensation for damage to the developing brain.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that loud music in bars increases drinking behavior. The research, conducted by Nicolas Guéguen and his colleagues, discovered that high sound levels led to increased drinking within a shorter time frame.
Researchers found that average wine glasses were 43% larger than standard drinks, with varying alcohol content within beverage types. The combination of higher-content drinks and lack of awareness makes this 'abundance' problematic for consumers planning to drive or engage in activities.
A new study found that chronic alcohol abuse can decrease levels of genes needed for brain cells to respond to insulin/IGF, leading to neurodegeneration. Insulin resistance in the cerebellum and frontal lobe was associated with loss of neurons and decreased levels of neurotransmitters.
A study examining two medications and two behavioral treatments found that medication adherence is still essential for success in treating alcohol dependence. High medication adherents fared better than low adherents across all treatment combinations.
A Finnish study has found that hazardous drinking is common among the general population, with 5.8% of participants meeting the criteria. Hazardous drinkers are at risk but not yet dependent on alcohol, and may not experience significant harm despite their heavy consumption.
This study found that AA and NA attendance benefited adolescents, even after early discontinuation, with those who attended more meetings having better outcomes. The organizations' focus on abstinence and social support resonated well with youth with severe addiction problems.
A new study has found that drinking at an early age can lead to later alcohol dependence. Women born after 1944 who began drinking earlier were more likely to develop alcohol dependence due to increased social and economic independence.
A new study has found that men are more likely to crave alcohol when they feel negative emotions, such as sadness and anxiety. Women tend to ruminate on these feelings, while men may distract themselves by using alcohol as a coping mechanism.
A randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of naltrexone alone and in combination with sertraline among Alaskans living in rural settings. The study found that naltrexone significantly improved abstinence rates compared to placebo, with 35% of participants remaining abstinent for the entire 16-week treatment.
A recent study found that binge drinkers, even when legally intoxicated, believe they have adequate driving abilities. However, their performance on a simulated driving task was poor. The researchers propose that lack of internal sedation cue and variable drinking habits may be responsible for this disconnect.
A recent study found that genetic factors play a significant role in the early initiation of alcohol use among young adolescents, while common environmental factors become more influential once drinking has begun. This new perspective on the causes of adolescent drinking may lead to targeted interventions for parents and families.
Research has found a significant association between the tachykinin receptor 3 gene and both alcohol and cocaine dependence. The study, conducted in European American families, identified seven DNA sequence variations within the TACR3 gene as having a strong link to AD and co-existing cocaine dependence.
A new study found that increasing alcohol outlet density in a suburb leads to rising rates of violence. Hotel pubs and bars drove violence in inner-city areas, while packaged liquor outlets were more significant in suburban areas.
Researchers have discovered a unique genetic profile associated with alcohol-induced heart failure, which could enable earlier diagnoses and monitor clinical outcomes. The study's findings offer new hope for addressing this condition, particularly when caught early through aggressive intervention.
Researchers found substantial increases in drinking and alcohol dependence among women, particularly white and Hispanic women, between 1991 and 2002. The study suggests that social acceptability of women's drinking increased, leading to a rise in alcohol dependence, especially among those who drank.
A new study using adolescent rats has found that early exposure to alcohol during adolescence can quickly lead to heavy drinking patterns. Researchers examined the characteristics of rats that developed problem drinking behaviors and found that novelty seeking and stress responsiveness were not related to drinking outcomes.
Researchers found that alcohol inhibits NMDA receptor ion channels in the prefrontal cortex, disrupting its normal duties and leading to impaired decision-making. This discovery may lead to effective treatments for alcoholism by targeting specific ion channels.
Researchers found that aripiprazole reduced the pleasurable effects of alcohol and made drinkers sleepier, suggesting its potential as a treatment for alcohol dependence. The study's findings suggest a balance between useful and aversive effects may be achieved with aripiprazole.
A recent study using twins found that genetic factors contribute significantly to the development of alcohol dependence, with heritable influences tracing back to a common factor. Environmental influences, on the other hand, are more prominent in earlier stages of drinking behaviors, such as initiation and first problem onset.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that approximately 84 percent of AI drivers were binge drinkers, and 88 percent of episodes involved binge drinkers. The research highlights the need for effective interventions to change policy focus and reduce excessive drinking behavior.
Children and adolescents at high risk for substance-use disorder show deficits in executive cognitive function, including reduced frontal brain activation. Researchers used fMRI to assess eye movements and found a link between brain functioning and SUD risk.
A study found that drinking in these settings increases aggression, especially for women, and that attending parties can also increase aggression. The researchers suggest that prevention programs focusing on preparing women for the risks associated with drinking at parties might help reduce their likelihood of experiencing aggression.
Resilient children of alcoholics have greater control over emotional responses due to enhanced activity in the orbitofrontal cortex and insula, while vulnerable COAs struggle with processing negative emotions. This may lead to differences in behavior and risk of developing alcohol-use disorders.
A new study found that eyeblink conditioning can identify children with probable fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and those without distinctive FAS features. Researchers used eyeblink conditioning in five-year-old children born to mixed-ancestry women, finding a deficit in this area related to prenatal alcohol exposure.
A new rodent study found that chronic drinking can lead to severe pneumonia following surgery, impairing the immune system's ability to fight off infections. The study suggests that patients considering surgery should control their drinking habits and be honest about their consumption levels with doctors.
New research reveals that parental drinking habits directly impact adolescent drinking behaviors, as well as indirectly through perceptions of parenting. Monitoring and discipline are found to be strong intermediary roles in associations between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors.
A new study reveals that acculturation can have varying effects on men and women's drinking habits along the Texas-Mexico border. Researchers found that immigrant groups who acculturate to mainstream America tend to experience more alcohol-related problems, but this impact differs by gender.
A study of over 450 children found that nearly 40% have sipped or tasted alcohol by age 10, often in family settings. Children from families where parents drink more frequently are at higher risk, but most parents unaware of their child's experience.
Researchers investigated college parties, observing environments, behaviors, and blood-alcohol concentrations to identify key predictors of excessive drinking. Young women drank more heavily at themed events with sexualized themes and costumes, while students who socialized without drinking games had lower levels of consumption.
Researchers used rats bred to be heavy drinkers and administered an anti-Aldh2 antisense gene, reducing consumption by half for a month. The study suggests gene therapy could be a promising approach for treating alcoholism, particularly in individuals with genetic mutations protecting them from the risk of developing the condition.
Researchers identified four polymorphisms in the dopamine transporter gene associated with an altered risk of withdrawal seizures in alcohol-dependent patients. These findings may help identify patients at high risk and prevent seizures more efficiently.
New research findings suggest that girls may be more susceptible to their friends' drinking, while opposite-sex friends increase drinking for both genders. Genetic analyses indicate shared environmental effects across genders.
New research suggests that nicotine patches can improve attention and working memory in recovering alcoholics, particularly those who smoke. The study found that these individuals are more sensitive to the effects of nicotine, which may help explain their struggles with quitting nicotine use.
Research suggests that Mexican Americans with the H6 haplotype of the CYP2E1 gene are more susceptible to developing alcoholism. The study also found associations between the H6 haplotype and late-age onset of drinking and heavy drinking habits.
A new study found that individuals with alcohol dependence and conduct disorder have a high number of sex partners, increasing their risk for unintended pregnancies, infections, and reproductive health damage. Researchers also suggested that college campuses and healthcare staff play crucial roles in addressing this issue.
Women with a family history of alcoholism prefer higher levels of sweetness and crave sweet-tasting foods more often than non-smokers. Smokers also exhibit reduced sensitivity to sweet taste, leading to increased food cravings.
New research highlights racial disparities in alcohol treatment completion, with African Americans and Hispanics facing lower enrollment rates in residential programs. Increasing access to intensive services may help reduce these disparities.
A new study found that individuals with a specific GABRA2 genotype may have fewer drinking days and better treatment response to psychotherapy. The findings suggest that genetic information could be used to match patients with the most effective treatments.
A new study found that impulsivity is a common trait among alcoholic individuals, particularly those with antisocial and borderline personality disorders. These individuals exhibited impaired inhibitory control and difficulty delaying gratification, which may impact treatment outcomes.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that binge drinking is on the rise in Mediterranean countries, especially among younger adults. The prevalence of binge drinking was highest among men aged 18-24 years, and was more frequent among those with higher education levels.