Articles tagged with Alcoholism
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.
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.
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 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 ...
In a controlled experiment, researchers found that binge drinking did not impact academic test scores, but slowed attention and reaction times. Binge drinking may still affect other types of academic performance, such as essay-writing and problem-solving.
Neonatal sepsis is a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries where high fatality rates are common. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 million deaths per year are due to neonatal sepsis, with disparities in care across countries. In addition, adolescent binge drinking is a significant glob...
A genome-wide association study supports an association between alcohol dependence and genes on chromosome 11. The study identified a cluster of genes in this region that may contribute to the risk of developing alcoholism.
Children's response to intense sweet taste is linked to their family history of alcoholism and self-reported depression levels, revealing individual differences in liking for sweetness based on biology.
A study in Brazil found that heavy alcohol use among the elderly is associated with more memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate drinking, particularly among women. The study also revealed that older adults continue to drink throughout their lives.
Research found that social factors contribute to vulnerability to alcohol use and abuse in older adults. Higher income, social activity level, and friend approval are linked to excessive drinking, while older men may be more susceptible to social influences on drinking.
A Scripps Research Institute team discovered corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a crucial role in alcohol dependence. Blocking CRF with antagonists blocked addiction symptoms and increased sensitivity to treatment, suggesting a new approach for substance abuse treatment.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that bourbon causes worse hangovers, but impairment in task performance is similar to vodka. Researchers recruited heavy drinkers and tested their sleep patterns, self-report symptoms, and neurocognitive measures after consuming bourbon or vodka.
A new study finds that alcoholics can improve their postural sway with prolonged sobriety, but the improvement may not fully erase the problem of instability. Researchers found that stabilizing factors such as turning on a light or walking with feet apart can help improve standing stability in sober alcoholics.
A recent study found that genetic factors contribute to both alcohol and marijuana use, with shared genetic influences contributing to dependence symptoms. The research used a large annual survey of high-school students and found strong evidence for a genetic component to marijuana use and dependence.
A new study finds that alcohol-related injuries among underage youth and young adults are shaped by the density and types of alcohol outlets in neighborhoods. Off-premise outlets, such as take-out establishments and bars, are linked to higher injury rates, including accidents, assaults, and traffic crashes.
A study by Ohio State University found that older adults with alcohol dependence problems drink significantly more than their younger counterparts. On average, those over 60 have 40 or more drinks per week, compared to 25-35 drinks for younger age groups with similar problems.
A new study using DTI found correlations between brain areas and mathematical ability in children with FASD. The left parietal area is crucial for math tasks, while other regions may be unique to FASD. This research sheds light on the cognitive deficits of FASD and may lead to better treatment.
A study found that Brief Motivational Interviewing (BMI) was more effective in reducing risky drinking among drivers with alcohol problems. The intervention led to significant declines in risky drinking and longer-lasting reductions compared to a control intervention.
Researchers found that dieters exhibit increased corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) gene expression when abstaining from palatable foods, similar to the brain's response in drug addicts. This stress-related response contributes to relapse eating among dieters.
A study found a significant association between a polymorphism of the µ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene and alcohol misuse among adolescents. The G allele variant was associated with increased sensitivity to the pleasurable effects of alcohol, leading to more frequent drinking and problems.
The Huichol population of Mexico has the highest documented CYP2E1*c2 allele frequency, placing them at high genetic risk for alcoholism and alcoholic liver disease. The absence of protective ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms in this group exacerbates their vulnerability.
A study published in the journal Sleep found that long-term alcoholism affects sleep quality and architecture, regardless of abstinence duration or sex. The findings suggest a possible permanent structural change in REM regulation mechanisms produced by long-term alcohol abuse.
Interaction between education and a polymorphism of the reward gene contribute to severe alcoholism among Mexican Americans. Researchers found that individuals with less than or up to 12 years of education are at high risk for severe alcoholism when combined with the OPRM1 A/A genotype.
A new study found that completed and attempted suicides occur at greater rates in rural communities with higher bar densities. Completed suicide rates were lower among blacks and Hispanics, but higher among low-income, older whites living in rural areas.
Researchers studied 6,257 adult twins and found that those who started drinking early had a greater genetic risk for alcohol dependence. The younger an individual was at first drink, the more prominent the role played by genetic factors in developing severe problems.
A new study found that people who start drinking at an early age are more likely to develop alcohol dependence. The study suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of AD symptoms, particularly in those who begin drinking before age 15.
A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that 18 US colleges with significant student drinking problems showed little change in their alcohol habits over a decade. Persistent high levels of binge drinking and unhealthy behaviors, such as drunk driving and unprotected sex, were also unchanged.
A prevention system implemented in seven states has significantly reduced rates of teen binge drinking, with a notable drop of 37% among eighth-grade students. The system also led to lower levels of alcohol and smokeless tobacco use and fewer delinquent behaviors.
Researchers found that abstinent long-term alcoholics showed decreased and abnormal brain activity in the amygdala and hippocampus areas when looking at facial expressions. These findings support clinical reports of interpersonal difficulties in this population, suggesting brain abnormalities in emotional perception and memory.
A recent study found that binge drinkers expend more attentional effort to complete tasks and have difficulties differentiating between relevant and irrelevant information. Young Spanish university students who engaged in binge drinking showed anomalies during a visual working memory task, requiring greater attentional processing.
A recent study found that excessive drinking can lead to reduced activity in the amygdala and hippocampus, two brain regions responsible for processing facial emotions. This can result in emotional difficulties, such as misperceiving facial cues, emotional flatness, and apathy, which can negatively impact interpersonal relationships.
A recent study by Temple researchers found that heavy drinking is more likely to lead to heavy smoking among adolescents, highlighting the need for a multi-pronged approach to education and intervention. The study's findings emphasize the importance of addressing both topics together to combat this growing health risk.
A study found that HIV infection and chronic alcoholism have a synergistic damaging effect on the brain, particularly impairing immediate episodic memory while preserving working memory. Individuals with both conditions are at risk of trouble learning new information, affecting daily activities and work-related tasks.
A new brain mechanism involving ghrelin has been discovered, which could lead to the development of new therapies for alcohol dependence. The study found that blocking ghrelin's actions in the brain reduces alcohol's effects on the reward system.
Research from Washington University School of Medicine found substantial reductions in binge drinking nationwide, but not on college campuses. Binge drinking rates declined among young men and minority groups, but remained unchanged or increased among female collegians.
Researchers found that brief motivational interviews and one-on-one counseling programs significantly reduced heavy drinking and improved behavior among high-risk students. Community-based initiatives, such as increased police patrols and online alcohol policies, also showed promise in reducing off-campus incidents involving students.
A recent government study reveals a rise in college drinking problems, including heavy episodic drinking, drunk driving, and alcohol-related deaths. The study found that these issues are particularly prevalent among students aged 21-24.
A zero-tolerance policy towards underage alcohol use in the home may significantly reduce the likelihood of college students binge drinking, according to a study by Caitlin Abar. The study found that students whose parents did not permit them to drink underage were less likely to engage in heavy drinking, regardless of gender.
A Canadian study found that frequent alcohol consumption increases the risk of binge drinking among all genders and age groups. Regular drinkers need more than their usual drink to experience the festive feeling and may drink beyond healthy limits sporadically or weekly.
A recent study found that frequent extreme heavy drinkers, particularly those with a sensation-seeking disposition, face a heightened risk of alcohol-related injuries. The study analyzed data from over 12,900 college students and discovered a significant correlation between excessive drinking patterns and increased injury rates.
A study found that individuals with a low response to alcohol are at a higher risk for developing alcohol-use disorders across adulthood. The research, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, suggests that this unique risk factor is not solely related to other factors such as family history or age of onset.
A 24/7 free-access, anonymous, interactive web-based self-help intervention called Drinking Less (DL) can aid problem drinkers in reducing their alcohol consumption. After six months, participants decreased their mean weekly alcohol consumption and 18.8% changed their drinking patterns to 'low-risk drinking'.
Research suggests that individuals with strong negative mood-related drinking motives may be vulnerable to developing both major depression and alcohol dependence. The study found that familial factors contributing to mood-related drinking motives also contribute to the overlapping risk for MD and AD.
A new study identifies Cyber Millenials, affluent, health-conscious young adults living on the urban fringe, as those most likely to engage in high-risk drinking. These individuals, despite being tech-savvy and well-educated, exhibit detrimental binge drinking habits.
Researchers have found that attentional bias, a key factor in addiction, does not directly control the decision to consume unhealthy items. Instead, conscious rapid decision-making processes following Pavlovian-type cues may be at play. This new understanding could lead to more effective treatments.