Articles tagged with Alcoholism
A new study found a link between the Val66Met polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene and risk for post-treatment relapse among alcohol-dependent patients. The findings suggest that genetic markers may be used to predict treatment outcomes and inform personalized therapy approaches.
New rodent findings show that dietary zinc supplements throughout pregnancy can reduce some alcohol-related birth defects. Zinc supplementation also increases the mother's blood zinc to prevent fetal zinc deficiency and subsequent fetal damage.
Researchers developed a composite metric of maternal-drinking measures that can predict prenatal neurobehavioral dysfunction and deficits in children, identifying over 62% of mothers as drinking at risk levels. The metric was more successful than individual measures in predicting poor child cognition and behavior problems.
A new intervention method has been shown to significantly reduce binge drinking among college students. The MIF (motivational interviewing with feedback) intervention includes a personalized feedback profile and a 45-minute counseling session, resulting in a 5.26 drink reduction per week among participants. The study found that this ap...
A new study found that binge drinking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of preterm birth, regardless of when alcohol consumption stops. Women who drank heavily or binged had a higher incidence of preterm birth compared to those who abstained from alcohol.
Researchers found that men tend to use heavier intoxication words like 'hammered,' while women use more moderate terms like 'tipsy.' This could mislead women about their level of intoxication and driving ability.
Research found that drinking and high-activity MAOA can predict the risk of impulsive violence, while aging may decrease this risk. Coaching and psychopharmacological treatment may help control violent behaviors in high-activity MAOA offenders.
A leading academic from Durham University argues that patients must comply with moral duties to look after themselves and others when accessing free healthcare. This includes promoting one's own health, using NHS resources responsibly, and cooperating with medical advice and treatment.
A study published in Atherosclerosis reveals that binge drinking causes an irregular pattern of heavy drinking to clog blood vessels, leading to a two-fold increase in fatal heart attack risk. Acetaldehyde levels found in the blood after binge drinking increase monocyte adhesion to blood vessel walls.
Research finds that specific DNA sequence variations of the serotonin transporter gene can influence drinking intensity among alcohol-dependent individuals. The study analyzed six single nucleotide polymorphisms and found a significant association between one particular variation and lower drinking intensity.
Research suggests that light-to-moderate drinking can promote cytoprotective cellular mechanisms, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Moderate alcohol exposure has also been shown to activate anti-inflammatory processes and promote neuronal survival pathways.
A new study reveals hazardous drinking among NZ university students begins in high school, with high levels of binge drinking and related problems. The study recommends prioritizing reduction of binge drinking in high school and implementing early identification systems on campuses.
A recent study found that non-beverage alcohols, including medicinal tinctures and eau-de-colognes, are highly concentrated and cheaper than standard Russian vodka. Researchers believe these products pose a significant health risk to consumers, particularly those who rely on them as an affordable source of alcohol.
A new study suggests that genetic factors may influence the size of a brain region involved in emotional processing and impulsivity in teenagers. Researchers found that those with a family history of alcohol dependence had reduced volume of the right orbitofrontal cortex, an area critical for regulating impulsive behavior.
A new study found a strong link between alcohol outlet density and male-to-female partner violence, with higher risks in neighborhoods with more drinking places. The research used individual and couple-level data to assess the relationship between alcohol availability and intimate partner violence.
A new study has found that US Hispanics, belonging to four national groups, prefer beer as their beverage of choice. The study, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, revealed that beer was the preferred beverage among all Hispanic respondents, with variations in preference across ethnic subgroups.
A new study found that individuals who start drinking before age 15 are more likely to develop alcohol-use disorders (AUDs) in adulthood. The research, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, controlled for various individual risk factors and found that early drinking is associated with increased AUD risk.
A study found associations between human NPY receptor genes and a more severe subtype of alcohol dependence, characterized by withdrawal symptoms or coexisting alcohol and cocaine dependence. The research suggests that certain genetic variants may be associated with increased risk of AD and seizures in humans.
A new study finds that non-daily smokers are 16 times more likely to be hazardous drinkers than non-smokers, and five times more likely to meet criteria for an AUD. The study suggests that casual smoking may promote hazardous drinking behavior.
A recent study found associations between variations in ghrelin genes and increased risk of heavy alcohol consumption and obesity. The research suggests that the ghrelin system may play a role in the brain-reward systems underlying addictive behaviors, including compulsive overeating and drug dependence.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research demonstrates that coupon users face stigma and their proximity affects others' perceptions. Standing near a coupon user can lead to negative opinions about one's character, especially if the individuals are similar or know each other well.
A new study finds that binge drinking among women attending an urban STD clinic is linked to high rates of gonorrhea, anal sex, and multiple sex partners. Women binge drinkers are five times more likely to have gonorrhea than non-drinking women.
Researchers found that associating binge drinking with graduate students reduced junk food consumption by 28%. Linking unhealthy behaviors to an 'outgroup' can be a successful strategy for improving consumer health. By shifting perceptions of identity associated with risky behaviors, better health outcomes can be achieved.
A recent study found that individuals appearing underage and intoxicated can purchase alcohol at professional sports stadiums, with sales rates of 18% for pseudo-underage buyers and 74% for pseudo-intoxicated buyers. Location was a key factor, with sales in the stands being 2.9 times more likely than at concession booths.
A study found that alcohol dependence in women is associated with delayed reproduction, including menstrual disorders and unplanned pregnancies. Women who drink may want to consider the long-term consequences of drinking on later childbearing.
Younger service members and Reserve/National Guard personnel returning from combat are at increased risk of new-onset heavy drinking and other alcohol-related problems. Deployment with combat exposures is associated with a significant increase in rates of heavy weekly drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol-related problems.
New research reveals that a specific dopamine pathway is responsible for the rewarding effects of nicotine. The mesolimbic dopamine system is also linked to addiction in other substances like cocaine and alcohol.
A new study found that those who drink excessively are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome, a condition associated with cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 participants and found that most people in the US drink in ways that may increase their risk of metabolic syndrome.
A new study found that prenatal drinking has a significant impact on neurotrophins in rats, but environmental enrichment does not mitigate these effects. Researchers discovered that prenatal alcohol exposure generally increased brain neurotrophin levels, which may serve as a compensation for damage to the developing brain.
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that loud music in bars increases drinking behavior. The research, conducted by Nicolas Guéguen and his colleagues, discovered that high sound levels led to increased drinking within a shorter time frame.
A study found that AA attendees drink more coffee than the general population and smoke to reduce depression, anxiety, and irritability. Coffee consumption may also have health benefits, including reducing the risk of death from suicide and certain cancers.
A landmark study found that college environments with easy access to alcohol, weak control policies, and lax enforcement contribute to binge drinking. Colleges with restrictive policies and substance-free housing options have lower binge drinking levels.
A study by the University of Bonn and Karolinska Institute found that a specific gene variant in women's endorphin metabolism is altered more often in female alcoholics than in healthy women. In mice, endorphins play a crucial role in ethanol consumption, particularly among females.
Researchers found that average wine glasses were 43% larger than standard drinks, with varying alcohol content within beverage types. The combination of higher-content drinks and lack of awareness makes this 'abundance' problematic for consumers planning to drive or engage in activities.
A study examining two medications and two behavioral treatments found that medication adherence is still essential for success in treating alcohol dependence. High medication adherents fared better than low adherents across all treatment combinations.
Research suggests that women who started drinking at younger ages are more likely to develop alcohol dependence, with those starting before age 17 facing a 50-80% increased risk. The study also found that the earlier onset of drinking is a strong predictor of subsequent alcohol dependence.
This study found that AA and NA attendance benefited adolescents, even after early discontinuation, with those who attended more meetings having better outcomes. The organizations' focus on abstinence and social support resonated well with youth with severe addiction problems.
A study found that college students often drink to excess on their 21st birthdays, with 34% of men and 24% of women consuming 21 drinks or more. The researchers estimated blood alcohol content, finding that 49% of men and 35% of women had levels indicating severe intoxication.
Researchers plan to reduce binge drinking by providing workplace information and employee commitments, with a focus on raising awareness of health effects. They will follow up with employees to assess long-term behavior change.
A randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of naltrexone alone and in combination with sertraline among Alaskans living in rural settings. The study found that naltrexone significantly improved abstinence rates compared to placebo, with 35% of participants remaining abstinent for the entire 16-week treatment.
A recent study found that binge drinkers, even when legally intoxicated, believe they have adequate driving abilities. However, their performance on a simulated driving task was poor. The researchers propose that lack of internal sedation cue and variable drinking habits may be responsible for this disconnect.
A new study has found that men are more likely to crave alcohol when they feel negative emotions, such as sadness and anxiety. Women tend to ruminate on these feelings, while men may distract themselves by using alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Research has found a significant association between the tachykinin receptor 3 gene and both alcohol and cocaine dependence. The study, conducted in European American families, identified seven DNA sequence variations within the TACR3 gene as having a strong link to AD and co-existing cocaine dependence.
A new study found that increasing alcohol outlet density in a suburb leads to rising rates of violence. Hotel pubs and bars drove violence in inner-city areas, while packaged liquor outlets were more significant in suburban areas.
A recent study found that genetic factors play a significant role in the early initiation of alcohol use among young adolescents, while common environmental factors become more influential once drinking has begun. This new perspective on the causes of adolescent drinking may lead to targeted interventions for parents and families.
A new study using adolescent rats has found that early exposure to alcohol during adolescence can quickly lead to heavy drinking patterns. Researchers examined the characteristics of rats that developed problem drinking behaviors and found that novelty seeking and stress responsiveness were not related to drinking outcomes.
Researchers found substantial increases in drinking and alcohol dependence among women, particularly white and Hispanic women, between 1991 and 2002. The study suggests that social acceptability of women's drinking increased, leading to a rise in alcohol dependence, especially among those who drank.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that approximately 84 percent of AI drivers were binge drinkers, and 88 percent of episodes involved binge drinkers. The research highlights the need for effective interventions to change policy focus and reduce excessive drinking behavior.
Researchers found that alcohol inhibits NMDA receptor ion channels in the prefrontal cortex, disrupting its normal duties and leading to impaired decision-making. This discovery may lead to effective treatments for alcoholism by targeting specific ion channels.
Researchers found that aripiprazole reduced the pleasurable effects of alcohol and made drinkers sleepier, suggesting its potential as a treatment for alcohol dependence. The study's findings suggest a balance between useful and aversive effects may be achieved with aripiprazole.
Scientists have discovered a genetic factor linked to stress response variability, revealing why some people can better withstand stress than others. The study found that inherited variations in the neuropeptide Y gene affect the brain's anxiety-reducing mechanisms, leading to differences in emotional responses and pain tolerance.
A new genetic analysis by Yale School of Medicine researchers suggests that a genetic variant in East Asian populations may have protected residents from becoming alcoholics. The study found that this variant became widespread through natural selection in specific Hmong- and Altaic-speaking groups, hinting at an environmental factor.
A new University of Washington study found that despite public health campaigns, many women continue to use substances like tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol during pregnancy, while their partners' use remains stable. Men's patterns of substance use are bleaker, with men typically not targeted by these campaigns.
Researchers found that mice treated with rimonabant, a cannabinoid receptor blocker, developed resistant livers to alcohol's fat-building effects. This discovery suggests that treating fatty liver with CB1 antagonists may slow its progression and prevent severe liver disease.
Children and adolescents at high risk for substance-use disorder show deficits in executive cognitive function, including reduced frontal brain activation. Researchers used fMRI to assess eye movements and found a link between brain functioning and SUD risk.
Resilient children of alcoholics have greater control over emotional responses due to enhanced activity in the orbitofrontal cortex and insula, while vulnerable COAs struggle with processing negative emotions. This may lead to differences in behavior and risk of developing alcohol-use disorders.
A study at the University of Illinois Chicago found a key molecular event in the brain that links anxiety with alcohol addiction. The researchers discovered a protein called Arc that is produced in response to alcohol exposure, which helps reduce anxiety-like symptoms. Restoring levels of this protein may help alleviate withdrawal-indu...
Researchers have identified a brain molecule, neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), that plays a central role in stress-related drinking and may be a potential therapeutic target for alcohol dependence. The study found that blocking NK1R reduced alcohol craving and improved overall wellbeing among individuals with anxiety.
A study found that young women who increased their drinking during the high school-to-college transition were more likely to experience physical and sexual victimization. The majority of freshmen women did not experience any victimization, but those who drank alcohol had substantially higher rates of physical and sexual assault.
New research reveals that parental drinking habits directly impact adolescent drinking behaviors, as well as indirectly through perceptions of parenting. Monitoring and discipline are found to be strong intermediary roles in associations between parental and adolescent drinking behaviors.