A study of adolescent patients in private, managed-care chemical-dependency treatment found that those receiving needed psychiatric services were more likely to be abstinent from alcohol and drugs. The results highlight the importance of providing psychiatric assessment and treatment in CD programs.
A study using computed tomography found that women's brains atrophy faster and show greater brain damage from chronic drinking than men's. Women start to drink later but develop dependence earlier and experience more severe consequences.
Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoke both impair lung defenses against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes pneumonia and other infections. Researchers exposed rats to smoke and varying levels of alcohol, then infected them with S. pneumoniae, finding that the combination increased bacterial penetration into the lungs.
A study using a large U.S. population sample found that current DSM-IV criteria for alcohol-use disorder may be overly diagnostic in adolescents due to relatively infrequent drinking and shorter drinking histories. The study suggests age-specific distributions for these criteria conform to the age-specific distributions of alcohol use.
Researchers found significant associations between two SNPs and alcohol dependence in a Russian population, similar to U.S. findings. The study suggests that the GABRA2 gene influences risk for alcoholism regardless of environmental factors.
A study found that college students tend to overestimate volumes, over-pour drinks, and under-report levels of consumption. Educational feedback improves students' understanding of standard drink definitions, leading them to report a larger number of beverages consumed.
A Swedish study found that adolescents with a specific genetic variation in the serotonin transporter gene and poor family relationships are more likely to engage in high-intoxication frequency. Conversely, a favorable family environment can protect against genetic vulnerability. The study suggests an interaction between genetic and en...
Research found that alcohol consumption increases smoking urge in light smokers, regardless of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The desire to smoke while drinking is related to the amount of alcohol consumed during a drinking episode.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that binge drinking negatively affects mood and cognitive performance in young adults. Females were more impaired than males on working memory and vigilance tasks. The research suggests that binge drinking may contribute to the development of alcohol dependence.
A study found that a functional variant of a histamine-metabolizing enzyme is associated with higher frequencies of the allele in alcoholics, suggesting it may increase vulnerability to alcoholism. In contrast, carriers of the Ile105 allele are protected against developing alcoholism due to lower levels of anxiety.
A study found that malt liquor drinkers are more likely to be homeless, unemployed, and drink heavily, with higher blood alcohol levels and aggressive behavior associated with MLB consumption. The researchers also noted that MLBs are often targeted towards lower-income, minority communities, making them a concern for public health.
Research found that adolescent brain function is vulnerable to disruption from binge drinking, resulting in permanent damage. Heavy drinking during adolescence can impair problem-solving skills, working memory, and emotional reactivity, increasing the risk of mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar spectrum disorders.
Research suggests that alcohol alters gene expression in the brain, contributing to addiction symptoms like tolerance and physical dependence. Gene expression profiling has identified specific genes and pathways involved in alcohol's effects on different brain regions.
Computer-based brief interventions using elements like feedback, empathy, and personal responsibility can effectively reduce drinking. Programs such as Drinker's Check-up, e-CHUG, and MyStudentBody.com show promising results in reducing heavy drinking and negative consequences.
New research suggests a link between galanin and alcohol consumption, as well as its effects on food intake. Galanin was found to increase voluntary alcohol intake in rodents, but not food intake. A galanin receptor antagonist also reduced alcohol drinking, suggesting a potential role for these compounds in treating alcohol dependence.
A study found that heavy drinking is associated with an increased risk of spousal abuse in male US Army soldiers, both when they are and are not drinking. The research also showed that women who live with heavy drinkers or are themselves heavy drinkers are more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence.
Research found that cigarette smoking accelerates brain damage in individuals with alcohol dependence, particularly in the frontal lobes. This can lead to compromised executive functions, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation. Chronic smoking also impairs neuronal viability and cell membranes in other brain regions.
A study found that individuals with the G variant of the OPRM1 gene have a greater likelihood of experiencing stronger subjective feelings from alcohol and a higher risk of developing alcohol-use disorders. This genetic difference affects how the brain responds to endogenous opiates, influencing motivation and reinforcement.
A study found that genetic variations in taste receptors affect the way people perceive the bitterness of alcohol, influencing their drinking habits. Individuals who are supertasters and can't taste the bitterness of PROP may consume more alcohol than those who are nontasters.
A new study found that alcoholics show deficits in visuoperception and frontal executive functioning even with prolonged sobriety. Researchers assessed visuoperception and perceptual learning tasks in detoxified alcoholic men compared to control men, revealing differences in cognitive processes and memory strategies.
Research reveals substantial effects on IQ among children with prenatal alcohol exposure, particularly those born to older mothers or with a history of heavy drinking. The study identified subgroups of vulnerable children with compromised academic and social performance.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research suggests that variants of the BDNF gene may play a role in vulnerability to alcohol withdrawal-associated delirium tremens and violence while intoxicated. The study found a significant association between the G196A polymorphism and AA genotypes/A allele frequencies in al...
Researchers found that more alcohol is consumed in beer form than previously believed, with a national mean alcohol content of beer ranging from 4.58% to 4.75%. This translates to approximately 10 additional standard drinks yearly for each person aged 14 or older in the US.
A recent study examined the genetic factors underlying a low response to alcohol and found potential links to several gene categories. The research suggests that these genes could play a significant role in the development of alcoholism, particularly in individuals who experience little or no effect from drinking.
A study in flies reveals that rapid and chronic tolerance operate via different neurobiological mechanisms and genes. Rapid tolerance is blocked by a drug inhibiting protein synthesis, while a fly mutant lacking octopamine shows reduced rapid tolerance.
Research suggests that binge drinking has a detrimental effect on platelet adhesion and aggregation, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. In contrast, moderate red wine consumption may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease due to its high polyphenol count.
Research finds that rates of drinking among American youth have remained relatively stable since the 1990s, with high prevalence rates among 8th-12th graders. The study highlights the need for new approaches to reduce alcohol use and its associated risks.
Heavy alcohol consumption can compromise multiple domains of executive functioning early in abstinence. This study found significant differences between male veterans with and without a history of heavy drinking on cognitive tests such as abstract reasoning and memory discrimination. Researchers suggest that developing therapies to cap...
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that energy drinks like Red Bull do not improve physical performance when consumed with alcohol. The researchers surveyed Brazilian nightclub-goers and found that the combination of energy drinks and alcohol did not reduce depressant effects or increase stim...
Research suggests a combination of sweet liking and novelty seeking can predict alcoholism in individuals, particularly children of alcoholic fathers. Sweet likers with high novelty seeking are more likely to develop alcoholism due to related brain function and sensitivity to rewarding effects.
Researchers found topiramate effective in reducing drinking and craving in alcohol-dependent patients who were still drinking. The medication was also shown to decrease plasma GGT levels, a reliable biological marker of heavy drinking.
Researchers found that women experiencing depressive symptoms, binge drinking, or smoking during pregnancy may be at risk for depression and alcohol use during the first postpartum year. Early identification and treatment of these comorbid conditions can benefit both mothers and children.
Researchers found that infant rats willingly ingest large amounts of highly concentrated alcohol during their first exposure, resulting in extremely high blood alcohol levels. This contrasts with adult rats and humans, who typically reject or require initiation procedures to consume alcohol.
A study found that genetic differences are the primary cause of variation in long-term average alcohol intake. Some genes affect both intake and dependence, while others influence only dependence. The research suggests that individuals can make lifestyle choices to improve their health and reduce risk, even with a family history of hea...
Researchers investigated acamprosate's interactions with alcohol in a six-week study. The findings suggest that acamprosate does not alter the rate of absorption or elimination of alcohol by the body, disrupting effects on performance tasks, or most mood effects. This suggests potential as a medication for treating alcoholism.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that light-to-moderate drinking has no significant effect on breast cancer risk, regardless of type of beverage. Heavy drinking increases risk primarily among premenopausal women.
A study found that Type A alcoholics who took sertraline showed improved treatment response and maintained gains after treatment ended, while Type B alcoholics did not. In contrast, Type B alcoholics experienced increased heavy drinking after receiving sertraline.
A multi-site trial found that naltrexone injections significantly reduced drinking days and increased abstinence rates compared to placebo. The depot/injection form of naltrexone offered greater medication compliance, efficacy, and fewer adverse effects.
A recent study found that college students referred for alcohol interventions, often due to disciplinary actions or medical concerns, exhibit higher rates of binge drinking and problematic use. Brief motivational intervention (BMI) and alcohol education (AE) sessions were effective in reducing alcohol use among these students.
Research suggests moderate drinking may lower heart disease risk in older adults but increase breast cancer risk, particularly among women with family history or hormone replacement therapy. Moderate consumption also appears to reduce the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
A study found that liver damage risk varies by gender and drinking pattern. Women are more susceptible, especially when not eating with alcohol, whereas men's risk depends on frequency and amount of drinking.
A study found that men with high trait anger and low anger control are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior when intoxicated. Researchers examined 164 healthy male social drinkers and found that those with high trait anger levels were associated with increased aggression, but only among those who reported low anger control.
A study found that moderate alcohol consumption increases plasma DHEAS levels in both men and women, decreases testosterone in men, and has no effect on estradiol levels. These findings suggest that DHEAS may play a protective role against atherosclerosis.
A study of 10,440 single-born infants found no increased risk of hospitalization for asthma among children born to mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Despite this, researchers caution that high prenatal alcohol exposure may still have unknown health effects.
A study found that nearly 8 out of 10 establishments sold alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons, with younger servers more likely to serve. The study suggests increasing enforcement, comprehensive training, and permitting dram-shop liability lawsuits could reduce such incidents.
Researchers have discovered that nonalcoholic beer can impart cardiovascular benefits without the negative effects of alcohol. The study found that nonalcoholic beer reduced platelet activation and blood coagulation just as well as alcoholic beverages, which may help prevent conditions such as coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Researchers found that alcohol impairs cognitive functioning even when motor functioning appears normal. The study suggests that the motor component of information processing recovers during declining blood alcohol concentrations, but the cognitive effects linger, creating a 'illusion' of sobriety.
Research reveals that college women are more likely to experience sexual and nonsexual victimization on days they drink, particularly when consuming heavily. The study found that the odds of experiencing aggression were nine times higher on heavy drinking days compared to non-drinking days.
A study found that community-based heavy drinkers have clear brain metabolite changes associated with lower brain function and are likely of behavioral significance. Brain damage is detectable even in those who function relatively well in the community.
A longitudinal study found that early childhood sleep problems predicted substance abuse during adolescence, with around half of children experiencing sleep issues also starting to use substances at an early age. Researchers hope that identifying and treating sleep problems early on may help prevent later substance-use problems.