A new study links even low levels of alcohol consumption to increased risks of death, disability, and chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Drinking up to 7 drinks per week is associated with only minimally elevated risks for most conditions, while 14 drinks per week increases mortality risk by 1 in 25.
A new study found that updated alcohol warning labels, including those highlighting cancer risk, can better motivate consumers to cut back on drinking. The study used a nationally representative sample of adults and found that the new labels outperformed the current U.S. warning label in encouraging participants to drink less.
A recent study found that delta-8 THC products often lack clear and consistent labeling, with high doses found in products marketed to youth. The study highlights concerns for consumer safety, as the products are subject to fewer regulations than medical and recreational cannabis.
New research suggests that mobile health interventions tailored to individual needs can reduce harms associated with heavy drinking and cannabis use. Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of personalized feedback and protective behavioral strategies in reducing substance use risks, paving the way for innovative digital interventions.
A new study finds that ChatGPT can provide trustworthy information for pregnant women seeking medical advice on treating opioid use disorder, with over 97% of responses scoring as safe and accurate. The researchers used a persona to frame conversations with the AI, which showed consistency with accepted clinical practice.
A new study finds that college students who are exposed to a drinker's poor behavior experience lower grades, mental distress, and suicidal thoughts. The researchers surveyed 1,822 students and found that being harassed or physically harmed was associated with poor academic performance and worse mental health.
Law enforcement use subjective tactics to detect marijuana impairment, but these methods have limited scientific basis. Scientists must get involved to develop reliable tools, and funding from legal marijuana sales could support research. A new perspective calls for a more evidence-based approach to road safety.
A new study found that cannabis-related hospital visits increased by 20% in Arizona between 2016 and 2021, with nearly eight times more patients having a primary diagnosis of a mental health disorder. The study suggests easier access to cannabis may be partly responsible for the trend.
A new prevention program has shown promise in reducing college students' problem drinking and their risks of unsafe sex and sexual victimization. The SPLASH program addressed students' misperceptions and taught practical skills to protect themselves and friends, resulting in high acceptance rates and improved perceptions.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that mandatory warning signs at cannabis dispensaries may not be effective in deterring pregnant users. In fact, many participants reported distrust towards the content of the warnings, viewing them as stigmatizing or negative. The researchers interviewed 34 ...
A new study found that nearly 160 million Americans have been harmed by someone else's substance use, with 113 million experiencing harm from alcohol use and 46 million from other drugs. The survey also revealed significant overlap between the two groups, highlighting a major public health issue.
A new special series of articles in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs highlights the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy for treating alcohol dependence, opioid addiction, and other substance use disorders. Promising results suggest that this approach can lead to higher abstinence rates than conventional therapy alone.
A new analysis by researchers found that studies linking moderate drinking to health benefits suffer from fundamental design flaws. Moderate drinkers were compared with abstainer and occasional drinker groups that included older adults who had quit or cut down on drinking due to health conditions, leading to biased results.
A new study suggests that parents' monitoring of their teenagers can reduce substance use by making them think twice about it. The research found that kids are less likely to try alcohol or drugs if they believe their parents know their whereabouts.
A new study found that African Americans, Hispanics/Latinx, and young adults are less likely to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings compared to White counterparts. The study also found that these disparities have persisted despite the evolution of AA and the availability of alternative mutual-help groups.
Researchers found that changes in voice patterns predicted alcohol intoxication with 98% accuracy. The study suggests that smartphones and smart speakers could be used to deliver 'just-in-time interventions' to prevent injuries and deaths from motor vehicle accidents.
A recent study found that areas with local retail availability of legalized marijuana have higher rates of marijuana and alcohol co-use among high school students. The study suggests that 'greater retail availability may normalize' marijuana use for young people, even if they can't purchase it directly from retail businesses.
A new study found that drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of interacting with attractive people, but doesn't change how others are perceived. When intoxicated, men were 1.71 times more likely to choose one of their top-four attractive candidates to interact with in the future.
A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that use of law enforcement strategies to curb underage drinking has decreased significantly since 2010, with a notable drop in compliance checks and sales provision to underage persons.
A new study finds that restricting flavored e-cigarettes to tobacco flavor only can significantly decrease their use among teens and young adults. The majority of current users would discontinue use if the product became available in tobacco version only.
Researchers found extensive interaction between US officials and the alcohol industry, including sharing scientific research and policy implications. The study suggests a significant influence of industry on public health science, threatening the integrity of NIAAA's funding.
A new study found that people with alcohol use disorders who are injured severely enough to require hospital treatment have a fivefold increased risk of dying in the next year. This association was found in over 13,000 patients, with a total mortality rate nearly five times higher than the general California population.
A recent study found that over 11,000 people treated in US emergency departments for drug-related bike injuries were men, with methamphetamine being the most common substance involved. The study highlights the need for further research and interventions to prevent these incidents.
Research found a 5.8% increase in traffic crash injuries and a 4.1% increase in fatal crash rates after legalization. States with retail sales saw an initial jump in injury crash rate before it decreased.
A study found that higher prices and inconvenience associated with legal sources drove consumers to purchase cannabis from illegal providers. The main reasons cited by respondents were legal sources being too expensive and inconvenient, with convenience being the second-highest factor.
A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that Army Guard soldiers who returned from deployment were at risk for heavy drinking. The rate of drinking among deployed Guard soldiers exceeded that of deployed military personnel, with combat exposure being a significant factor.
A study found that recreational cannabis companies market their products in a way that appeals to children and teens, despite state-based regulations prohibiting it. The marketing is easily viewed by people of all ages on social media platforms.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that rideshare density near crash sites is associated with decreased odds of alcohol-involved crashes. An increase in one ride per square mile was linked to a 0.2% decrease in such crashes.
A new study found that 98% of popular TikTok '#alcohol' videos have positive portrayals, while only 4% describe negative alcohol-related consequences. The research highlights the need for age verification and responsible content creation on social media platforms.
A new review suggests children of parents who drink heavily are at elevated risk of poor outcomes including mental health disorders, hospitalizations and criminal behavior. Register-based studies provide a fuller picture of the harm caused by family members' drinking.
A new study found that youth consumption accounted for $17.5 billion worth of alcohol sales in 2016, with three major companies responsible for nearly half of these sales. The research highlights a disconnect between the industry's advocacy for prevention and its own profits from underage drinking.
A new study found that adolescents who frequently see billboard or storefront advertisements for recreational cannabis are more likely to use the drug weekly and have symptoms of a cannabis use disorder. Researchers used social media sites and apps to recruit 172 teens, ages 15 to 19, who lived in states with legal recreational marijuana.
A new report in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found significant increases in marijuana use among California adolescents, especially those in historically low-risk groups. Researchers attribute this to the growing normativity of marijuana use due to legalization.
A new study finds that COVID-19 campus closures led to a significant decrease in the quantity of alcohol consumed by college students, especially those living with parents. Students who moved from living with peers to parents saw a drop in drinking days per week and total drinks consumed.
A minimum unit price for alcohol policy significantly decreases deaths and hospitalizations related to alcohol use, according to a new report. By setting a floor price for alcohol sales, such policies help prevent the sale of cheap drinks with high alcohol content.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that smartphones can detect changes in gait patterns associated with alcohol intoxication. The research suggests that real-time information about alcohol consumption could be used to reduce harm, prevent drinking and driving, or alert a sponsor for someone in tr...
A recent study found that even low-risk drinking within Canada's guidelines can lead to hospitalization and death. Moderate drinkers are not insulated from harm, particularly men who experience harm at all drinking levels. The study suggests that guideline limits should be lowered to match those in the Netherlands.
A series of Canadian studies found that conspicuous alcohol labels can increase awareness of drinking harms and guidelines, leading to a 6.9% decrease in total sales of alcohol. The labels provided information on the risks of alcohol consumption or drinking guidelines, improving knowledge of alcohol-related health risks such as cancer.
Public health experts conclude that exposure to alcohol marketing is a cause of drinking onset during adolescence and binge drinking. The authors recommend stricter government-enforced laws to limit alcohol-marketing exposure and message appeal to youth.
A study suggests that reducing alcohol outlet density in Baltimore City could prevent violent crimes by lowering the homicide rate. The researchers analyzed three main policy changes and found that closing liquor stores in residential areas would eliminate 22 homicides a year, saving $27.5 million.
Young adults who use heavily are more likely to receive medical marijuana cards, a study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found. The study analyzed data from California participants aged 18-20 and showed that frequent marijuana use was the primary driver of card acquisition.
A new review shows that Russia's decline in overall alcohol consumption has gone hand-in-hand with a parallel decrease in the country's mortality rates. The study analyzed data on death rates, cause of death, life expectancy, and beer sales to find this correlation. Government policies, including restrictions on hours of sale, minimum ...
A review of the literature suggests that adolescents with severe opioid use disorder can be treated with these medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. However, further research is needed to understand optimal treatment duration and retention rates.
New research reveals that only 21 cents per drink in taxes cover alcohol-related costs, with the majority falling on non-drinkers and moderate drinkers. The study suggests increasing prices through higher taxes could reduce excessive consumption and related harms.
A new study found that one in five US adults experience harm because of someone else's drinking, with women more likely to report financial and family problems. Heavy drinking was linked to increased risk of harassment, threats, and driving-related harm.
Death rates from drug poisoning in American adolescents and young adults rose significantly over the last decade, mainly fueled by opioid-related deaths. The estimated costs of these deaths were $27.1 million in medical costs, $8.5 billion in work loss costs, and $26.5 billion for quality-of-life loss in 2015.
A roadside survey found that nearly one in seven drivers with children in the car tested positive for THC, highlighting the need for better roadside testing for THC. The study also showed that drivers with children were less likely to test positive for THC than those without children.
A new study suggests that moderate alcohol consumption has health benefits, particularly for older adults. Researchers found that younger people are more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than they are to benefit from drinking, while older individuals tend to experience the health benefits often mentioned in news stories.
Researchers in Canada identified seven core principles to improve substance use treatment systems, emphasizing the need for collaboration between sectors and a population-level approach. These principles aim to identify strengths, gaps, and required enhancements in system design.
A new study reveals that college students who binge drink are more likely to post on social media while intoxicated, exhibiting signs of social media addiction. This behavior can lead to negative consequences, including regret and harm to personal and professional relationships.