Articles tagged with Alcoholism
Researchers develop two virtual culturally grounded interventions to address substance use among urban American Indian and Alaska Native emerging adults. The studies show reduced substance use, including cannabis and alcohol consumption, as well as social connections with tribal communities.
A decision analytical model and microsimulation study found that expanding alcohol screening and brief interventions in primary care could reduce premature mortality from major alcohol-related causes of death in US adults. By 2030, this expanded approach is projected to decrease annual alcohol-related potential years of life lost by −5...
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction, or psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia show increased brain aging patterns. The researchers analyzed MRI data from over 45,900 controls and compared them to 2,698 patients with different brain conditions.
A new study found that adults with disabilities have more than three times the rate of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to adults without disabilities in the US. Adults with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries had the highest rates of AUD, with men with disabilities having the highest rates.
Research suggests that an anti-inflammatory molecule, IL-6, plays a role in driving excessive drinking behavior in alcohol use disorder. Blocking IL-6 reduced alcohol consumption in female mice, but not male mice or non-dependent animals. The study adds to growing evidence of brain inflammation's involvement in alcohol use disorder.
Researchers at UTA will study how parents and teens discuss alcohol use and social media influences to prevent adolescent alcohol use. The study aims to strengthen early communication between parents and teens and address social media influences.
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.
Researchers implemented behavioral nudges to increase prescription of naltrexone, a medication for alcohol use disorder. The study resulted in a 15-fold increase in patients leaving with a prescription, offering an effective treatment to those who struggle with alcohol.
The study found high-risk associations between alcohol use and all ten cancers examined, with risk increasing progressively as intake rose. Low-to-moderate drinking was associated with lower disease risk for type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke.
A new tool has been developed to identify blackouts during drinking, using objective memory tests that can detect blackouts in real-time. The study found a moderate correlation between not remembering an image while drinking and self-reported blackouts the next day.
A national study found almost half of Australian men aged 30-59 exceed the recommended weekly alcohol intake, with factors such as smoking, illicit drug use, and psychological distress linked to risky drinking. The research highlights the need for targeted approaches to reduce alcohol-related harms among middle-aged men.
The US had substantially higher death rates between 1999 and 2022 compared to other wealthy nations, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of excess mortality. An estimated 12.7 million US deaths could have been averted during this period if US mortality rates mirrored those of its peers.
Research reveals a causal link between alcohol consumption and epilepsy risk via neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. MPO inhibition shows promise in reducing seizure susceptibility.
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 new study published in JAMA Network Open found that combining cannabis edibles and alcohol worsens driving impairment compared to consuming either substance alone. The research highlights the urgent need for wider public education about augmented effects from co-use and improved roadside detection methods.
A nationally representative study found nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults with heavy drinking and obesity conditions, highlighting the need for preventive efforts in younger and middle-aged adults without insurance or Medicaid coverage to curb rising rates of alcohol-associated liver disease deaths.
Research in mice reveals direct gene regulation by alcohol metabolites, with varying effects on brain regions and exposure durations. Short-term exposure influences more genes and epigenetic programs compared to lengthy exposure.
A study estimated income losses from individual perspectives in Denmark from 2000 to 2023 after hospital diagnoses of depression, alcohol use disorder, stroke, and breast cancer. The researchers found that income losses were largest for mental disorders, with average losses growing over time, particularly among younger individuals.
Researchers found that early adult drinking combined with stress leads to cognitive decline in middle age, with brains damaged beyond recovery. Heavy drinking rewires the brain's circuitry, impairing decision-making and increasing risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that GLP-1 medications are effective at reducing the risk of developing substance use disorders across all major addictive substances, including a 14% reduced risk for developing any substance use disorder. The study also showed significant reductions in severe harm, including overdose and death, among patients with p...
A massive Swedish study of over 2 million individuals reveals that genetic risk for mental illness is far less disorder-specific than clinicians have assumed. Schizophrenia shows the highest genetic specificity, while drug use disorder has a much lower specificity, scattering its genetic risk across multiple conditions.
A new study using rats found that a specific brain region, the anterior insula, is more active during actions related to alcohol consumption. This bias in decision-making may be involved in prioritizing alcohol over other rewards, potentially shedding light on the neural underpinnings of alcohol use disorders.
A new blood test score, MetALD-ALD Prediction Index (MAPI), has been developed to identify when fatty liver disease is driven by excessive alcohol use. The tool uses five standard lab values and can estimate whether a person with fatty liver disease may have alcohol-related liver injury.
A recent study has confirmed that wild African chimpanzees consume significant quantities of alcohol, with 17 out of 20 urine samples containing ethyl glucuronide, a metabolic byproduct of ethanol. The chimps' diet likely consists of fermented fruits, which provide around 14 grams of ethanol per day.
A study of 382 adolescents aged 15–17 found that zero-alcohol advertisements significantly increased their intentions to try full-strength versions. Teenagers who liked the ads showed more positive attitudes toward the brands and clearer intentions to drink.
A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies found that broad spiritual practices, such as attending religious services and meditation, were associated with a 13% reduced risk of hazardous drug and alcohol use. This reduction was greater (18%) among individuals attending religious services at least once per week.
A meta-analysis of 55 studies found a significant protective association between spirituality and hazardous alcohol and drug use. The study suggests that spiritual practices may be effective in preventing or reducing the risks associated with these substances.
A new study from King's College London and the University of Exeter found that ketamine's therapeutic benefits for people with alcohol use disorder may not be linked to its psychoactive effects. Instead, other factors such as brain network alterations and neural connections may play a role in the treatment's success.
A Brazilian study analyzing 4,280 adolescents and their guardians found that parental attitudes play a significant role in preventing alcohol and drug use among young people. The 'authoritative' parenting style, which combines acceptance and monitoring, is the most effective in mitigating the risk of repeated consumption patterns.
Chronic alcohol consumption alters endocannabinoid gene expression in reward- and decision-related brain regions, offering insights into addiction biology. This study reveals changes in CB1 and CB2 receptor genes, as well as GPR55 and FAAH enzymes, potentially leading to targeted therapeutic strategies.
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure changed aspects of the dopamine system in rhesus monkeys, influencing how quickly they drank alcohol in adulthood. The researchers also discovered individualized neuroadaptive responses to drinking, which may promote the transition to alcohol use disorder.
A cohort study of 47,000 adults found that males had a 63% greater risk of all-cause mortality compared to females after adjusting for demographic and behavioral factors. The study suggests intrinsic biological factors, such as sex hormones or immune response, may contribute to these sex differences in mortality.
A UH psychologist's study finds that anxiety sensitivity and pain-related anxiety are linked to mental health problems and clinically significant alcohol use among survivors of traumatic sexual assault. The investigation highlights the importance of addressing both types of anxiety in reducing the risk of lifelong challenges.
Research reveals that higher lifetime alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, especially for rectal cancer. Quitting drinking can lower a person’s risk, according to the findings published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal.
A new study in NC found that many residential substance-use service providers require patients to engage in unpaid labor, restricting access to evidence-based treatment. Providers with labor requirements are less likely to offer recommended treatment and more likely to operate without a state license.
A preclinical study shows that cannabidiol restores emotional behavior, reduces alcohol-related vulnerability, and reverses gut microbiota alterations caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Female mice particularly benefited from CBD treatment, which normalized their emotional alterations and eliminated vulnerability to alcohol addiction.
Research found that prolonged heavy drinking induces neuroinflammation, promoting negative emotional states lasting for weeks into abstinence. Inhibiting proinflammatory microglia activation during alcohol exposure blocks the development of anxiety and fear memory.
A study published in Drug and Alcohol Review journal reveals that workplace factors like long hours, work-related stress, and shift work do not solely drive high-risk drinking. Personal and social factors have an even greater impact on alcohol consumption among workers. The research analyzed over two decades of data from the Household ...
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 protocol models alcoholism in mice and shows that stimulating the FGF21-oxytocin-dopamine system with rare sugars can reduce alcohol consumption. The researchers believe that this system may play a role in regulating subconscious information processing, leading to effective dietary therapy for reducing over-drinking.
The study found a significant increase in alcohol-related hospitalizations between 2016 and 2022, with rising mortality rates and extended lengths of stay. Preventive efforts are needed to reduce population-level alcohol consumption and improve treatment outcomes for individuals with alcohol use disorder.
Researchers found altered gene expression in the brain's stress-processing hub, and inhibiting signaling pathways reduced relapse-like behavior. However, blocking both signals simultaneously cancelled this effect, highlighting potential risks of combining treatments.
A new study finds that raising the minimum legal drinking age from 16 to 18 years significantly improves academic performance and mental health among European teenagers. The research, conducted by Carmen Villa, shows a decrease in binge drinking and intoxication, leading to better PISA exam scores and reduced anxiety medication use.
A study published by Michigan Medicine suggests that AI can help increase the chance of people with risky drinking patterns or signs of alcohol use disorder getting outreach and help. The NLP tool analyzed full text of health records and identified over 47,500 patients with some sign of risky drinking.
A new review of 'Dry January' found that even a short break from alcohol can lead to meaningful physical and psychological improvements. Participants reported improved sleep, better mood, weight loss, and healthier liver function.
A new study found that nearly half of patients discharged with take-home methadone successfully connected to treatment within 72 hours. The likelihood of successful follow-up increased if patients were already enrolled in an OTP or received higher methadone doses.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals distinct patterns of brain activity between boys and girls with a family history of substance use disorder, suggesting separate predispositions for addiction. Girls with a family history displayed higher transition energy in the default-mode network, indicating greater difficulty disengag...
A new study found that smoking marijuana can temporarily cut down how much people drink, with participants reducing their alcohol intake by 19-27% when using cannabis. However, the researchers caution that more study is needed to determine long-term effects and potential risks of cannabis use.
A new compound MCH11, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, shows promising effects in reducing alcohol consumption and motivation to drink in mice. The molecule exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant properties with sex-dependent efficacy, correcting genetic alterations associated with alcohol use disorder.
Researchers discovered psilocin's mechanism to reduce alcohol use in female mice by dampening activity of neurons in the central amygdala, leading to decreased drinking. This finding provides mechanistic insight into psychedelic treatment for psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.
Researchers found that heavy drinkers experienced strokes a decade earlier and with greater severity than non-heavy drinkers. Heavy drinking was also linked to signs of cerebral small vessel disease, which causes long-term brain damage.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that mutations in the CHRNA3 gene are associated with lowered sensitivity to alcohol and delayed avoidance behavior. This suggests that normal function of the chrna3 gene helps control alcohol exposure, leading to individual differences in alcohol sensitivity.
A culturally adapted behavioral intervention delivered in Spanish by community health workers significantly reduced unhealthy alcohol use among Latinx adults. Participants showed nearly twice the reduction in heavy drinking days compared to those who received an educational booklet.
A new study by Flinders University found that abstention from alcohol is on the rise, particularly among younger cohorts, with Generation Z nearly 20 times more likely to choose not to drink compared to Baby Boomers. The study suggests a clear generational shift, with declining weekly alcohol consumption and changing social norms drivi...
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered that altering brain function in the cerebellum region can ease physical and emotional symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. The study used genetic tools and a synthetic compound to achieve this, offering a promising new approach to treating alcohol use disorder.
The SHC-SHG program leads to a 16% reduction in LRDs among self-employed individuals, while unemployed individuals show significant behavioral changes but not health improvements. The increase in municipal funds is found to be cost-effective, with overall medical expenses reduced by nine times the increase.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a strong association between alcohol consumption per capita and an increase in suicide mortality rates. The study suggests that targeting alcohol consumption may be a useful strategy for comprehensive national suicide prevention efforts.
Researchers at UC Berkeley find that chimpanzees consume about 14 grams of pure ethanol per day, equivalent to one standard American drink. This chronic exposure suggests a dietary heritage of alcohol from our common ancestor with chimpanzees.
A new study by Scripps Research scientists reveals that a small midline brain region plays a key role in how animals learn to continue drinking to avoid withdrawal symptoms. This brain pathway is responsible for driving strong relapse behavior, making it a crucial target for developing new treatments for substance use disorders.
A UIC researcher team led by Dr. Subhash C. Pandey will investigate how long-term alcohol use affects the structure and function of brain cells, aiming to improve targeted treatments for alcohol use disorder. The grant renewal aims to fuel cutting-edge research into cellular interaction in areas key to alcohol addiction.