Articles tagged with Alcoholism
A new meta-analysis of LSD trials found that 59% of patients showed improvement in alcohol misuse, with lasting effects for at least six months. LSD interacts with serotonin receptors to stimulate new connections and open the mind, offering a promising treatment approach for alcoholism.
A study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that a single dose of LSD improved outcomes for 59% of patients compared to 38% of those receiving other treatments. Patients who received LSD showed greater self-acceptance, openness and motivation to address their alcohol problem.
Researchers have discovered a crucial link between mitochondrial function and heart damage caused by chronic alcoholism. Using electron microscopic tomography, the team created the first 3D images of mitochondria, revealing tiny tethers linking them to another cell compartment where calcium is stored.
A study of young, non-dependent social drinkers found that the caudate nucleus and frontal cortex regions of the brain show less activation in people who drink more heavily. This association was stronger in women than in men and correlated with their frequency of drinking.
A new study finds that varenicline increases the negative effects of alcohol and decreases drug liking in heavy-to-moderate social drinkers. This effect could reduce bingeing and other forms of abuse. Varenicline may be an effective treatment for individuals with both nicotine and alcohol dependence.
A new study links higher neighborhood bar density to increased intimate partner violence-related emergency department visits. Researchers found that bars are positively associated with IPV-related ED visits, while restaurants have no relationship.
A study found that varenicline increases the unpleasant effects of alcohol and decreases drug liking, reducing drinking. This may be due to varenicline counteracting the positive effects of alcohol, such as feeling 'buzzed' and talkative.
Research reveals that drinking alcohol induces significant brain atrophy and specific shrinkage in cerebral cortex and thalamus in genetically vulnerable mice. The findings support the protective role of dopamine D2 receptors against alcohol-induced brain damage.
A new study compares brain activity in adolescents with and without a family history of alcoholism, finding that those at risk for alcohol use disorder show weaker activation in key brain regions. This suggests an increased vulnerability to poor decision-making regarding future alcohol use.
A new study found a strong relationship between adolescent drinking and criminal activity, including property crime, predatory crime, and victimization. Frequent alcohol consumption was associated with a greater probability of committing crimes and being victims, regardless of gender.
A new study found fetal alcohol exposure is underestimated or misreported in Italy, with a prevalence of 7.9% among newborns. Meconium biomarkers FAEEs and EtG were used to establish prenatal ethanol exposure.
A new study discovered that texting can effectively assess drinking problems and provide brief interventions in young adults, reducing the number of heavy drinking days. The intervention reduced binge episodes and drinks per drinking day compared to baseline.
Researchers at IUPUI have created a line of lab mice that prefer alcohol over water and binge drink like humans. These mice can reach blood-alcohol levels of over 260mg/dl, allowing scientists to study the genetic and behavioral determinants of alcoholism.
A Scripps Research Institute study found that an anti-stress peptide can prevent and reverse some cellular effects of acute alcohol and alcohol dependence in animal models. The researchers suggest that drugs derived from this peptide could play a role in treating complex disease.
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 new study by University at Buffalo researchers has found that freshman women who start binge drinking in college are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual assault. Nearly half of young women who never drank heavily in high school admitted to binge drinking within their first college semester.
Rutgers University has received a $10 million grant to explore the genetic and environmental factors leading to alcoholism. The four-year study will collect saliva samples from over 46,000 individuals across the US and conduct DNA extraction and genotyping to identify risk factors.
The 2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey reveals declining teen smoking rates, with 9% of students smoking cigarettes compared to 12% in 2009. Binge drinking and driving after cannabis use remain concerns, with 22% of teens reporting hazardous drinking behaviors and 16% being drunk or high at school.
Researchers found a rare gene called NRXN3 plays an important role in brain development and neuron functions, linked to impulsivity and substance abuse. The study suggests this genetic connection may be more prevalent among men than women.
Researchers found a link between genetic variants in cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) and increased susceptibility to alcohol dependence. Specific CNR1 polymorphisms were more frequent in patients with alcohol dependence than those who abused alcohol.
A specific gene variant is associated with a higher risk of premature death and relapse among alcohol-dependent individuals. Research found that carriers of this variant are 10 times more likely to die prematurely compared to the general population.
Researchers identified the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex as key players in impaired decision making, leading to addictive and compulsive behavior. The study's findings may pave the way for more targeted treatments for substance abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Researchers identified two groups of college students who drank at fairly high levels, with one group showing higher levels of impulsivity and aggression. These individuals are at a higher risk for developing future alcohol problems.
A new study found that heavy drinkers face higher injury risks than moderate drinkers, especially when sober. Moderate drinking was found to be more hazardous per drink than regular heavy drinking.
A recent study examines the cultural context of drinking's impact on the relationship between alcohol consumption and harm. The research reveals a significant dose-response relationship between alcohol and health issues across five European countries, with stronger links in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden.
A study published in American Sociological Review found that teenage drinking habits are influenced more by their date's friends than their own. The presence of prior drinking among the friend increases the odds of future binge drinking by 80%, while the date's drinking habits have a lower impact, increasing binge drinking by 32%.
A recent study published in the American Sociological Review found that adolescents are more susceptible to drinking habits of their romantic partner's friends than their own friends or significant others. This influence can be either positive or negative, depending on whether the partner's friends drink heavily.
Native American communities have the highest alcohol-related death rates, but how and why this is prevalent remains unclear. The new five-year MERIT award will investigate early underage drinking's impact on risk for alcoholism and develop culturally relevant treatment programs.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that a gene variant can predict the success of naltrexone treatment for alcoholism in Asians. The OPRM1 gene variant is associated with better clinical outcomes when taking naltrexone, making it an effective medication option for this population.
Researchers found that people born after World War II are more likely to engage in heavy episodic drinking and develop alcoholism. The study highlights the need for specific public health prevention and intervention efforts, particularly for young women who face unique health risks due to their smaller body size.
A review of 31 studies found that people born after World War II are more likely to binge drink and develop alcohol use disorders. The gender gap in alcohol problems is narrowing in many countries, highlighting the need for specific public health prevention and intervention efforts.
Researchers have found that chronic drinking leads to reduced cortical thickness in frontal and temporal brain regions, affecting cognitive abilities and intellectual functions. The study's results indicate that alcohol damage occurs in gradations, with more severe damage associated with higher levels of consumption.
This study found that chronic alcoholics' gait and balance can continue to recover with long-term abstinence from alcohol. However, deficits can persist, especially in eyes-closed standing balance. The results suggest that impaired brain functions appear to recover with extended abstinence.
A new study found that daily moderate drinking decreases atherosclerosis in mice, while binge drinking increases its development. Moderate drinking also lowered LDL cholesterol and reduced plaque volume, whereas binge drinking led to increased inflammation and weight gain.
A Spanish study of adults found that heavy drinking and binge drinking were associated with a poor adherence to major food consumption guidelines. The researchers suggest that drinking at mealtimes may contribute to adverse metabolic effects and an increased risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that frequent tanning bed users exhibit brain activity and blood flow patterns similar to those of people addicted to drugs or alcohol. The study suggests that the rewarding effects of tanning beds may lead to compulsive behavior despite the increased risk of skin cancer.
A pilot project assesses the feasibility of virtual reality to treat alcohol abuse in veterans, targeting those with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress syndrome. The eight-week study uses augmented relapse prevention therapy sessions, where participants practice coping skills in simulated bar settings or home environments.
A nationwide study in China found that 55.6% of men and 15% of women are current drinkers, with frequent binge drinking among males and women averaging 5.6 and 2.4 binges per year, respectively. Cultural factors, such as social pressure and entrenched customs, contribute to the problem.
A new study confirms that a low level of response (LR) to alcohol increases risk for heavy drinking and problems among adolescents. LR is related to more adverse outcomes through partial mediation by peer substance use, positive expectancies, and using alcohol to cope with stress.
A new study found that female teens who binge drink have less brain activation and worse performance on attention and working memory tasks. Male binge drinkers showed some but less abnormality compared to non-drinkers. The findings suggest that adolescent girls may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of heavy alcohol use.
A new study found that acute stress can increase alcohol consumption by altering its effects, while chronic stress may prolong recovery from a stressful event. The study's results suggest that using alcohol to cope with stress may actually make a person's response to stress worse.
Clinical research identifies 'food addicts' with increased binge-eating disorder, depression, and impulsive personality traits. The study proposes personalized treatment approaches for obesity.
A study found that some people continue to drink heavily due to perceived positive effects, despite experiencing negative consequences. The 'rose-colored beer goggles' phenomenon suggests that individuals who have experienced fewer bad effects are less deterred from drinking.
A new University of Cincinnati study found that binge drinking among adolescents and young adults can cause cortical-thinning in the pre-frontal cortex, leading to impaired executive functioning. The research also suggests that greater number of drinks per binge is associated with reduced gray matter thickness.
Researchers found that gain-framed, positive messages are more effective in curbing college students' binge drinking habits than loss-framed, negative messages. The study showed that messages focusing on relationships and academic success were most effective in convincing students to avoid binge drinking.
A study of 122 Spanish university students found a clear association between binge drinking and poorer verbal declarative memory, even after controlling for other confounding variables. The research suggests that heavy episodic drinking may affect the brain's hippocampus, leading to impaired learning and memory abilities.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that individuals with a family history of Type I alcoholism are more sensitive to alcohol's stimulating effects, which may lead to increased consumption and a higher risk of developing alcoholism. The researchers also discovered that these individuals experience im...
A laboratory study found that energy drinks combined with alcohol enhance feelings of stimulation but do not alter the level of behavioral impairment, particularly for impulsive behavior. This combination may make energy drink-alcohol consumption riskier than drinking alcohol alone.
A new study found that impulsive choice in alcohol dependence may be linked to functional anomalies in brain regions involved in cognitive and emotional control. Individuals with more severe AUDs showed increased activity in regions such as the insula and supplementary motor area when delaying gratification.
A population-based study found that parental alcohol use disorders significantly increase the risk of offspring developing an AUD. Female offspring were particularly vulnerable to this increased risk, suggesting a stronger genetic component for female development of AUDs.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System has uncovered a link between genetic variations associated with alcoholism, impulsive behavior and a region of the brain involved in craving and anxiety. Variations in the GABRA2 gene contribute to the risk of alcoholism by influencing impulsive behaviors.
A two-year treatment regimen with Naltrexone and complementary treatments like group therapy can keep 80% of gamblers 'gamble-free' over a four-year period. Gambling addiction is a chronic disorder requiring careful monitoring and holistic treatments to avoid relapse.
Researchers found that people who experience stronger stimulating and lower sedative effects of alcohol are more likely to develop binge drinking problems. A new study published in Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that the 'double whammy' of alcohol effects predicts those who progress to severe drinking and alcohol-use disorders.
A first-of-its-kind study by researchers at the University at Buffalo found that problem gambling is considerably more common among U.S. adults than alcohol dependence after age 21, with significant gender and socioeconomic differences in frequency and prevalence.
A study found that early initiation of alcohol use is associated with increased stress-induced drinking in young adulthood. The study revealed a strong link between an early age at first drink and later heavy drinking when confronted with high-stress life events.
Researchers found that individuals who treated for alcohol use disorder and relapsed had thinner cortices in the brain's reward system compared to those who remained abstinent. The study suggests that neurobiological factors play a crucial role in relapse and may be associated with impaired problem-solving, mood, and impulse control.
A new study found that naltrexone is effective in reducing alcohol-induced euphoria in women and individuals with the A118G polymorphism of the mu opioid receptor gene. This suggests that personalized treatment options may be possible for those with specific genetic variations.
A study at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that genetic factors and the length of time someone abuses drugs can impact brain structure, particularly in areas related to decision-making and learning. This research has implications for treatment strategies and suggests that curtailed drug use may be protective against brain changes.
A University of Maryland School of Medicine study identified two genes associated with binge drinking, GABA receptors and TLR4, which may lead to new therapies for excessive alcohol consumption. The study found that manipulating these receptors caused a reduction in binge drinking behavior.
A new study found that depression symptoms increase over time for addiction-prone women, contradicting the common notion that these disorders are either genetic or caused by environmental factors. The research highlights the complex interplay between biological, social, and community-level factors that influence these disorders.