A new study found that social media users who view alcohol ads are more likely to 'Like' or 'Share' an ad when it has pro-drinking comments. The researchers suggest that the industry needs to improve its self-regulatory system to limit or ban comments on social media advertising.
Research suggests that increasing alcohol taxes is the most cost-effective method of reducing alcohol-related harms. A 50% hike in alcohol excise taxes could add up to 500 healthy years of life for every 1 million people. Restrictions on advertising and hours of sale are also recommended.
A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that teenage girls who binge drink regularly have lower bone mass, even when accounting for other factors. The researchers suggest that avoiding binge drinking may help young women reach their peak bone mass and reduce their risk of osteoporosis.
A recent study found that riding with an impaired driver is prevalent among emerging adults, with 33% reporting the behavior at least once in the previous year. The study also showed that young adults are more likely to ride with a marijuana-impaired driver than an alcohol-impaired driver.
State alcohol excise taxes have declined by 30-32% since 1991, making them incredibly low. Raising these taxes could increase revenues while improving public health outcomes and reducing excessive consumption-related harms.
A study found that nearly 20% of people taking prescription medications with impairment risks are not aware they could be driving impaired, despite receiving warnings or seeing labels. Researchers hope increased warnings and labeling can help drivers make informed decisions about their abilities to drive.
A study analyzing 137 YouTube videos found that nearly all promote the 'fun' side of drinking, often featuring traditional advertisements or showcasing alcohol's social benefits. Researchers suggest parents help their kids develop media literacy to become more critical thinkers about alcohol ads.
Research found binge drinking rates decrease among college students from 42% to 37% between 1999 and 2014. However, rates increase in non-college young adults from 36% to 40% during the same period. Interventions and policy changes may contribute to the decline in college students' binge drinking rates.
A recent research review found that moderate drinking has little support for preventing heart disease. In fact, seniors who drink moderately may be healthier due to their age and health status. However, the association between moderate drinking and better health may be misleading due to factors such as age and overall health.
A review of 13 studies found that mixing energy drinks with alcohol increases the risk of injury due to masked intoxication effects. Researchers warn that this practice poses a serious public health concern, and more research is needed to confirm findings.
A new study suggests that male students' likelihood of becoming a perpetrator increases when they attend parties or bars more than usual. Researchers found that almost 18% admitted to sexually assaulting a woman during the study period, with frequent bar-goers being more likely to be perpetrators.
A study of U.S. male veterans found that young adults with symptoms of alcohol dependence had poorer physical and mental health in their 60s, even if they quit drinking by age 30. Researchers believe years of heavy drinking may cause lasting damage to brain areas involved in emotional regulation.
Research suggests that TV ads may influence kids' alcohol consumption, with those exposed to more ads consuming more alcohol. A study of over 1,000 13-20 year olds found that more ad exposure was linked to higher total consumption of advertised brands.
A study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that Maine's pharmacists were not utilizing its prescription-monitoring program, which could increase patient safety. Meanwhile, a second study suggests that local 'drug take-back' programs can increase public awareness and usage.
A new study found that middle-school kids ages 11-14 see two to four alcohol ads per day, with outdoor billboards and signs being the most common source. The findings suggest that policymakers should pay attention to outdoor alcohol advertising, which is under local communities' control.
A new analysis of 87 studies found that many were flawed and did not support the claim that moderate drinking reduces mortality risk. In fact, occasional drinkers who had less than one drink per week lived the longest. The study suggests that alcohol may not be a panacea for good health.
A study suggests that improved use of no-buy lists by the alcohol industry could greatly reduce young people's exposure to alcohol advertisements on television. Researchers found that if such lists were universally applied, nearly all noncompliant advertising seen by children under the legal drinking age would be eliminated.
Researchers found that nearly 18% of students said they'd been raped while incapacitated before college, and 41% were raped again during their freshman year. Young women who believed alcohol enhances a person's sexual experience were at increased risk of incapacitated rape.
A new study found that lowering the minimum drinking age to 18 in the US was associated with a rise in high school dropout rates. The research suggests that this policy change may have disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, including minority students. The study's lead author notes that state policies on drinking ages were ofte...
A new study suggests that virtual reality therapy may help people with alcohol dependence reduce their craving for alcohol. The therapy involves exposing patients to situations that trigger fear and anxiety, then teaching them to manage those situations in real life.
Researchers found no significant differences in co-occurring substance use between medical cannabis patients using prescription pain medication and those who did not. Medical cannabis may be a safer alternative for chronic pain management, but communication between doctor and patient is key.
A new study found that children who get a taste of their parents' wine are more likely to start drinking by high school. Of the 561 students surveyed, those who'd 'sipped' alcohol by sixth grade were five times more likely to down a full drink and four times more likely to binge or get drunk.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that laws limiting alcohol outlet density can reduce rates of intimate partner violence. Communities with fewer alcohol outlets tend to have lower rates of partner abuse, according to researchers.
According to a new study, teenagers who live in California cities with strong social host laws are less likely to report drinking at parties. The researchers found a correlation between the laws and reduced underage drinking, but noted that more research is needed to determine the laws' effectiveness.
A study of frequent marijuana users found that negative emotions increased in the days leading up to use and didn't improve with cannabis. The research suggests that this can create a vicious cycle where people continue to use the drug despite feeling worse afterward.
A new study reveals that underage drinkers are disproportionately exposed to the brand names of their preferred alcohols in magazine ads, which may encourage drinking initiation. The findings suggest that industry self-regulatory guidelines are inadequate in limiting ad placements to minimize exposure to young readers.
Teens who used both drugs in the past year had higher rates of traffic tickets/warnings and car accidents. Kids who used alcohol and marijuana at the same time were about 50 to 90 percent more likely to admit to unsafe driving than their peers.
A study found that death certificates often fail to list alcohol as a cause of death in traffic crashes, with injuries being the leading cause of death for Americans younger than 45. Researchers need reliable data to study the effects of policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related deaths.
A recent review published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that age-21 drinking laws are associated with lower rates of drunk-driving crashes, suicide, dating violence, and unprotected sex. The study supports previous research showing that the laws curb heavy drinking among young people.
Research found no effects of school drug testing on high school students' experimentation with marijuana, cigarettes, and alcohol. However, a positive school climate with clear rules and respect among students and teachers was associated with reduced substance use.
A study found that teenagers in the child welfare system have a higher risk of abusing marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs compared to their counterparts outside the system. Parental involvement is a key factor in reducing this risk, with youth who feel supported by parents being less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors.
A recent study of nearly 6,000 adult twins found that genetic factors contribute to both alcoholism and certain eating disorder symptoms, such as binge eating and purging habits. The study suggests that genes explain 38-53% of the risk of developing these disorders.
A recent study found that approximately 40% of designated drivers have consumed alcohol, with many having blood alcohol levels that impair their driving skills. The researchers emphasize the importance of complete abstinence as a designated driver to ensure safety on the road.
A study found that toddlers exposed to methamphetamine in the womb may have an abnormal stress response, which can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, children with a stable home environment showed a normal stress response.
A 30-year study of nearly 400 men found that nearly one-third of major depressive episodes were seen only while they were drinking heavily. Heavy drinking is often mistaken for depression, but the symptoms typically resolve within weeks to a month of abstinence.
Research suggests that smoking is linked to an increased risk of hangovers, with college students who smoked more heavily experiencing more severe symptoms. The study's findings imply a direct effect of tobacco smoking on hangovers, possibly due to the release of dopamine and nicotine receptors in the brain.
A new study found that people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to engage in problem drinking, with African Americans in low-income areas being at highest risk. The research also reveals racial and gender differences in drinking behavior and consequences, suggesting opportunities for targeted interventions.
Researchers found that kids with less brain activation initially were at greater risk for becoming heavy drinkers. Heavy drinking was linked to increased brain activity during memory tests, particularly among those who consumed four or more drinks per occasion.
A new study found no correlation between medical marijuana dispensaries and higher crime rates in Sacramento neighborhoods, challenging growing concerns about the impact of dispensaries on crime. The study looked at violent and property crime rates in 95 areas with varying density of medical marijuana outlets.
The DSM-5 combines abuse and dependence diagnoses into a single disorder, requiring two or more symptoms. Critics argue that this change may lead to over-diagnosis and deviation from international diagnostic standards. Proponents claim it simplifies diagnosis for clinicians and laypeople alike.
Underage female drinkers face a growing risk of fatal car crashes, with risks now comparable to their male peers. The study found that young women are taking greater risks on the road, and that efforts to curb distracted driving may be necessary.
A recent study found that news coverage emphasizing the role of alcohol in violent crime and fatal injuries can increase public support for alcohol-control laws. The study revealed that most news reports on these topics fail to mention alcohol, leading to a lack of awareness about its contribution to accidents and violence.
A study of 437 young women found that nearly half who never drank heavily in high school admitted to binge drinking by the end of their first college semester. Binge drinking was linked to an increased risk of sexual victimization, regardless of previous drinking habits. Parents are urged to talk with their children about drinking befo...
A study of over 2,300 older Americans found that those under financial strain were at risk of boosting their drinking, especially men and those with less education. In contrast, older women tended to cut down on drinking when facing financial hard times.
A recent study found that people who drink heavily are more likely to die in house fires due to increased risk from smoking and impaired escape ability. The researchers suggest that having someone sober in the home, smoke detectors in bedrooms, or using fire-safe cigarettes could help prevent such deaths.
A study of college athletes and non-athletes found that athletes tend to use marijuana for recreational purposes, whereas non-athletes often use it to cope with stress. However, male athletes who continued to use marijuana during their competitive season reported more anxiety and negative mood.
A recent study found that about 25% of drivers who died in crashes tested positive for drugs, with marijuana and stimulants being the most common. The study suggests that while other drugs contribute to road deaths, alcohol remains the largest contributor to fatal crashes.
A new study suggests that allowing adolescents to drink with adult supervision may actually increase drinking and harm, rather than teach responsible behavior. Parents should adopt clear 'no-use' policies for young teens, setting strict rules regarding alcohol use.
A new study suggests that parental monitoring of an opposite-gender child may decrease problem drinking in young adults. The level of monitoring is linked to parenting style, with authoritative parents doing a better job of monitoring their children. This indirect buffering effect can reduce impulsiveness and alcohol-related problems.
A new study suggests that lowering the minimum legal drinking age may not effectively reduce college binge drinking, as it relies on poor enforcement and student misperceptions of normal drinking habits. The research found that campuses with lax underage drinking laws and high levels of misperception were more likely to see a decline i...