Articles tagged with Alcoholism
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.
A new study confirms the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) is predictive of later diagnoses of alcoholism in young adulthood. Adolescent RAPI scores were associated with a higher likelihood of alcohol dependence seven years later, especially in females.
Researchers found a significant link between neighborhood liquor-store density and at-risk drinking among African Americans who consume alcohol. Women who drink were disproportionately affected by higher concentrations of liquor stores, suggesting that stress may be a contributing factor to this association.
Research suggests that genetic variations in enzymes producing neuroactive steroids may be related to the risk of developing alcohol dependence. Studies have found linkages between AD and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding two key enzymes required for the generation of endogenous neuroactive steroids.
A new study found that intoxication increases feelings of sleepiness while disrupting actual sleep measures in healthy women more than in healthy men. Women objectively had fewer hours of sleep, woke more frequently, and experienced more disrupted sleep than men.
A study of over 44,000 15 and 16 year olds in Germany found that rural teenagers are more likely to engage in binge drinking than their urban counterparts. Binge drinking has serious social and health consequences, including increased risk of accidents, unsafe sexual behavior, and long-term brain damage.
Research from Case Western Reserve University shows that helping others in the AA program can lead to improved sobriety and reduced depression. The 'helper therapy principle' helps individuals with a similar condition, reducing egocentrism and selfishness.
A study found that memory training can decrease delay discounting in stimulant addicts, which is the tendency to choose short-term rewards over long-term benefits. The researchers believe this could lead to improved rehabilitating brain function and potential therapeutic strategies for addiction treatment.
A double-blind placebo-controlled study found that kudzu extract had little to no effect on participants' behavioral, physical, or cognitive performance. However, treatment with kudzu caused an increase in heart rate, skin temperature, and blood ethanol levels.
A new study found that alcohol dependence significantly predicts delayed marriages and early separations. Genetic influences also play a role in these associations.
Binge drinking is associated with high rates of adverse health effects, including increased risk of injury, violence, and death. The editorial emphasizes the need for a collective approach to controlling alcohol use across various stakeholders.
Researchers found a link between family history of alcoholism and increased risk of obesity, with women being more affected. The association may be due to the environment, particularly the availability of high-calorie, hyper-palatable foods that stimulate the brain's reward centers.
A new study shows that attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings increases spirituality, leading to better alcohol outcomes and improved recovery rates. The research suggests that spirituality is an important factor in the multi-faceted recovery from alcohol-use disorder, but it's not the only method used.
New research explores number processing deficits in children with ADHD and fetal alcohol exposure, revealing distinct brain area effects. The study shows that children with fetal alcohol exposure demonstrate strong deficits in number comparison, while those with ADHD exhibit difficulties in attention and memory.
A new study found that attending Alcoholics Anonymous at least once a week increased the chance of a positive outcome for incarcerated women returning to the community. The research also showed a significant decrease in alcohol-related consequences and overall drinking days among those who attended AA regularly.
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...
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that people with alcohol disorders are 60% less likely to seek treatment if they perceive negative stigma. Younger individuals, men, and those with lower income reported higher levels of stigma, leading to reduced treatment utilization.
A new study found that energy drink consumption is strongly associated with increased risks for heavy drinking and alcohol dependence among young adults. High-frequency energy drink users were more likely to get drunk at an earlier age, drink more per session, and develop alcohol dependence compared to non-users or low-frequency users.
New research finds that adolescents with a family history of alcohol abuse demonstrate decreased neural activity in the frontal lobe, suggesting a subtle vulnerability to future alcoholism. This study suggests that youth with familial alcoholism may have a less mature frontal system, making it harder to manage real-life situations.
A multi-tiered effort to stem binge drinking at Indiana University reduced average drinks consumed and percentage of students engaging in binge drinking. The study's results indicate an ecologically guided approach is critical for success, but highlight the need for further research.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found a gene variant associated with increased sensitivity to alcohol, suggesting a new mechanism for perception and brain effects. This discovery could lead to the development of drugs that enhance sensitivity to alcohol, while also offering insights into the complex nature of alcoholism.
Scientists found significant brain changes in response to drinking among dopamine receptor-deficient mice, suggesting genetic influence on alcohol's effects. This study supports the idea that genetic screening could help individuals understand risks associated with alcohol consumption.
A new study suggests that excessive alcohol use in adolescents can selectively damage the frontal lobe, leading to problems with attention and executive functioning. Abstinence from alcohol may help recover lost function in brain cells.
Research shows that certain areas in the brain associated with error processing are significantly affected by alcohol. Alcohol intake was found to increase reaction time and errors during a Go/No-Go reaction test, suggesting impaired cognitive control.
Research reveals that fetal alcohol exposure is associated with difficulties in memory and information processing, as well as visual perception and attention control. This finding may aid in the development of new therapies and treatments for children affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) or fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
A new study finds that the CYP2E1 gene is associated with low sensitivity to alcohol and increased risk of alcoholism. The researchers suggest that this gene may be used as a predictor for individuals at risk of developing alcoholism.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that study-abroad students double their alcohol consumption while abroad, up to eight drinks per week. Drinking behavior differs according to country and age, with younger students and those in Europe and Australia drinking more heavily.
A recent analysis by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that more people are consuming alcohol now than in the early 1990s. The study, which gathered data from over 85,000 respondents, suggests that a range of factors, including social, economic and ethnic influences, contribute to the increase.
The University of Houston pharmacy professor Joydip Das is working on pinpointing the mechanisms in the brain that respond to alcohol with a goal to discover a treatment. His team hopes to design drugs based on targeting the PKCε protein, which has shown a 75% reduction in mice drinking.
Chronic drinking increases levels of stress hormones called glucocorticoids, associated with neurotoxicity during abstinence after withdrawal from alcohol dependence. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonism may represent a pharmacological option for recovery.
A study found that individuals with a specific genotype of the GABRA2 gene may be more sensitive to alcohol odors, leading to stronger cravings and potentially increased risk of alcohol dependence. This suggests a genetic link between the brain's reward system and environmental cues.
Patients hospitalized with alcoholic liver disease have a significantly increased mortality risk compared to those with non-alcoholic liver disease. The study suggests that the key difference between the two conditions is alcohol dependence, which exacerbates social problems and disease progression.
A new study confirms an association between moderate drinking and reduced mortality among older adults, but notes that the health benefits are complicated by underlying risks such as prior problem drinking and socioeconomic status. The study followed 1,824 older adults for 20 years and found that controlling for confounding factors sub...
Researchers have identified a novel mutation in a mouse gene that may contribute to the genetic roots of alcoholism. The mutation, called Lightweight, affects sensitivity to alcohol and voluntarily consumed more alcohol by mutant mice. Further studies are needed to determine if this pathway is relevant to humans.
Researchers identified a mutation in the unc-79 gene that makes mice more sensitive to alcohol, suggesting a potential link between the gene and human susceptibility. The study found that the mutated mice consumed more alcohol than normal mice when offered a choice.
Researchers discovered a distinct cholinergic system in cocaine-addicted brains, affecting blood flow and regions involved in emotions and behavior. This finding may lead to new treatment options for addiction by targeting this specific system.
Women respond equally to naltrexone as a treatment for alcohol dependence, with similar outcomes on various outcome measures. The study found that women initiate substance use at an earlier age than men, but progress more rapidly to severe consequences.
A new study found that prenatal alcohol exposure has a greater impact on the attention of children born to older mothers. Children of older women are more vulnerable to the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, with increased cognitive-behavioral deficits and physical anomalies compared to younger mothers.
A new study by U of M researchers found that only half of colleges offered effective brief intervention programs and a small number collaborated with their community to curb alcohol consumption. The lack of implementation is attributed to strained relationships, resource constraints, and staff untrained in community partnerships.
A study found a rise in drinkers across all three ethnic groups, with specific challenges faced by Blacks and Hispanics. Despite increased numbers of drinkers, alcohol consumption did not rise among Blacks and Hispanics.
Researchers at Loyola University Health System found long-lasting disruptions in hundreds of genes involved in bone formation in rats exposed to binge drinking. The study suggests that lifestyle-related damage done during young adulthood may have repercussions lasting decades.
Researchers discovered that recovering addicts who avoid coping with stress experience more cravings and are more likely to relapse. The study found that avoidance coping strategies can weaken a person's ability to deal with stress, leading to increased cravings.
Researchers created a preliminary neurobehavioral profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) using neuropsychological data from a multisite study. The results suggest that executive functioning and spatial processing are especially sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure, making these traits valuable in distinguishing between ch...
A new study found that puberty is related to sleep problems and later bedtimes, associated with increased alcohol use in early adolescence. Puberty-dependent sleep regulation is an important factor explaining alcohol use in this age group.
A new study found that impulsivity and alcohol consumption decrease significantly in 18-to-25-year-olds. The study analyzed data from 489 college students and identified five trajectory groups with distinct patterns of change. Individuals who decreased in impulsivity also showed the steepest decreases in alcohol use and related problems.
Research from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that heavy alcohol use and binge drinking significantly increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in men. Men who consumed large amounts of alcohol were up to 6 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer compared to those who drank little or no alcohol.
A genetic variant of a brain receptor influences dopamine release in response to alcohol, which may contribute to individual differences in alcohol use disorders. This finding aids the development of personalized medications for alcohol problems and explains why some individuals experience enhanced pleasurable effects from alcohol.
A study found that genetic variations in the ADH1B enzyme are associated with reduced rates of alcohol dependence and increased sedation. Individuals with this variant tend to drink less and experience a different response to alcohol, which may help protect against heavy drinking and its consequences.
A recent study found that drivers who delay license reinstatement after suspension have higher recidivism rates and create danger on the roads. Drivers with more alcohol citations and prior DUI convictions are less likely to reinstate promptly.
A study found that alcohol abuse elevated specific genes in the nucleus accumbens, while nicotine blunted this effect. The research also identified a set of genes crucial for cell structure regulation, which were altered by both alcohol and nicotine abuse.
Alcohol-dependent women with supportive spouses may benefit from couples therapy, which maintained gains longer than individual therapy. Women with depression also did better in couples therapy, highlighting the importance of social support for change.
A new empirical model has been developed to quantify and gauge an alcohol addict's level of engagement in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)-related helping. The study found that both concrete acts of service and personal sharing are important in living sober, with adequate psychometric properties of the SOS tool.
Researchers have identified four relatively simple measures of alcohol consumption that can accurately index the genetic risk for alcohol dependence in both women and men. These findings provide significant implications for risk identification and suggest that simpler measures of drinking behavior may be sufficient to capture the same ...