Articles tagged with Alcoholism
Recovering alcoholics who smoked showed significantly less improvement in brain function and neurochemical markers of brain cell health compared to those who didn't smoke. Quitting smoking may be beneficial for better brain recovery from alcoholism, suggests a study.
A comprehensive scientific study explores the impact of social supports, spirituality, and religiousness on quality of life and long-term recovery from addiction. The research found that participation in 12-step fellowship programs and social support networks significantly enhances recovery outcomes.
A recent study found that additive genetic factors contribute to variation in alcohol consumption among rhesus monkeys, accounting for 20% of total variation. Environmental effects are also significant, with mother-reared animals drinking significantly less than others.
A study found that genetic variants in the COMT gene, Val158Met, are associated with different drinking patterns and comorbidity among Plains American Indians. The Met allele was protective against alcoholism, while the Val allele was a risk factor for smoking, particularly in women.
Research suggests that chronic drinking and smoking both lead to significant brain structural abnormalities, including reduced gray matter and neuronal injury. Chronic smoking may also hinder recovery during abstinence from alcohol, leading to impaired cognitive function.
Daughters of alcoholics exhibit distinct risk factors, with behavioral undercontrol being a strong mediator for both genders. Gender-specific differences are observed in behavior and the impact of parental alcoholism history, particularly for women.
Research highlights insulin, BDNF, and GDNF as critical growth factors regulating alcohol's effects, including intoxication sensitivity and consumption behaviors. The study suggests these factors have potential applications in treating alcohol addiction.
A study of 545 adolescents found that parental alcoholism was associated with early onset and persistent drug use throughout young adulthood. Marriage was also linked to lower levels of drug use, but its effect was limited by the lower marriage rates among children of alcoholics.
A study of 2,805 US workers found that 1.8% have consumed alcohol before work and 7.1% drink during the day, with men and younger workers more affected. Most workplace alcohol use is infrequent, but its impact on productivity and safety is significant.
A study by Washington University researchers found a single base variation in the TAS2R16 receptor gene that increases the risk of alcohol dependence, with higher incidence in African Americans and lower sensitivity to bitter tastes among those with this variant.
A study found that across-the-board price increases may not lead to a decrease in alcohol sales. Instead, individuals tend to switch to cheaper alternatives, potentially increasing overall consumption. The research highlights the importance of considering consumer choice and beverage quality when implementing policy interventions.
Research shows female rats less sensitive to sedating effects of alcohol, cycling hormonal levels mediate effects; adult women may become less sensitive to sedation as they mature. The study emphasizes the need to explore how factors associated with the estrous cycle affect sex differences in alcohol's effects.
A nine-year study found that alcohol deterrents can help patients achieve long-term abstinence, with an abstinence rate of over 50 percent. The study suggests that the psychological role of ADs plays a key role in relapse prevention and maintenance of abstinence.
The NIH is funding two new biomedical technology resource centers to develop innovative image-guided therapy technologies and advance glycomics research. The centers will provide critical resources for scientists and clinicians, including image processing tools, dynamic MRI methods, and novel therapy techniques.
Researchers identified chromosome four genes affecting drinking behaviors in smokers, providing evidence for genetic factors influencing alcohol consumption. The study suggests that variations in these genes may affect who will develop regular drinking behavior after initial exposure.
A study found that young adults who did not attend college have high levels of hazardous alcohol use, similar to those of their college-educated peers. Men with a college degree experienced the greatest increase in at-risk drinking, while women with no formal education had the highest levels of consumption and drunkenness.
A recent study found that Latina women who are highly acculturated to American society tend to drink more than those who are not. Acculturation is also associated with changes in drinking norms and depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce consumption.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests a genetic link between caffeine dependence and family history of alcoholism. The research found that women with both risk factors were unable to stop consuming caffeine despite physician recommendations, highlighting the need for targeted intervention.
Researchers found a potential link between chromosome 10 and low response to alcohol (LR) in young adults, particularly those with a family history of alcoholism. The KCNMA1 gene was identified as a key player in controlling the intensity of alcohol effects on potassium flow.
Research finds that individuals with a family history of alcoholism exhibit a dysfunctional stress response prior to developing alcohol dependence, while those without a family history experience a decline after developing alcohol dependence. Low-dose alcohol consumption blocks the response to stress in both high- and low-risk groups.
A recent study found considerable variation in drink size, particularly for spirits and wine, which can affect individuals' ability to track their alcohol consumption. The study suggests that using a single standard drink size of 0.6 ounces may be helpful for simplifying messages about safe drinking limits.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that children with more conduct disorder symptoms tend to have an earlier age of first drink. The study analyzed data from nine sites and found no link between family history of alcoholism and early drinking age.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that moderate drinking is associated with lower levels of stickiness in platelets, which can lead to fewer blood clots. The research, conducted on over 1,000 participants, suggests that moderate alcohol consumption may have a protective effect against cardiovascula...
A study found that child and environmental factors are stronger predictors of early alcohol experimentation in late childhood, rather than family history. This is associated with increased rates of psychiatric disorders, poor physical health, and criminal behavior in adulthood.
Researchers analyzed surrogate alcohols consumed by Russian men, finding high ethanol content or toxic contaminants. These products, including home-made spirits and medicinal tinctures, contribute to Russia's high death rate due to accidents, violence, and cardiovascular deaths.
Research indicates that involvement in both AA and treatment leads to improved psychosocial outcomes, including higher rates of abstinence and remission. Long-term participation in AA is also associated with better social functioning and self-efficacy.
A new study from Michigan Medicine reveals a direct relationship between smoking and neurocognitive function in men with alcoholism. Long-term smokers showed diminished thinking ability and lower IQ compared to non-smokers, even after adjusting for other factors.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found a link between a brain protein called CREB and anxiety-related behaviors in rats. Lower levels of CREB were associated with high anxiety and increased alcohol consumption in genetically predisposed rats, suggesting that drinking may be used as a self-medication strategy.
Researchers found that rats bred to prefer alcohol showed more anxiety-like behaviors and drank more alcohol. Reduced anxiety was associated with increased CREB function, suggesting a potential target for therapy.
A new study reveals that decreased CREB gene function in the brain's central amygdala is involved in anxiety and excessive alcohol drinking behavior. This genetic determinant creates a vulnerable neural substrate that interacts with alcohol to create abuse potential.
Researchers found that college students accurately report their alcohol consumption, contradicting previous laboratory studies suggesting they underreport. This suggests that the drinking problem remains significant, but data collection methods may need to be reevaluated.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that adolescents and young adults with AUDs have a smaller prefrontal cortex, which is associated with early-onset drinking. This may lead to difficulties in inhibiting urges, delaying gratification, and thinking clearly about the consequences of actions.
A study published in Addictive Behaviors suggests that shame, not guilt, is related to substance-abuse problems. The research found that individuals prone to shame may use alcohol and other drugs to cope with feelings of self-blame, while those who experience guilt are less likely to develop substance-use problems.
U-Iowa researchers aim to find genes and pathways that protect against toxic effects of alcohol on the fetus. The two-year study will utilize neonatal rodents to examine the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide in fetal brain development.
Study finds that repetitive tanning behavior may be linked to a kind of addiction, similar to alcoholism or drug dependency. Researchers identified UVL tanning dependence in 53% of beachgoers, suggesting why educational interventions have been unsuccessful.
A new study from the Mayo Clinic found that smokers with a history of alcoholism can quit smoking using customized nicotine replacement therapy. The study, which adjusted nicotine patch dosages based on serum cotinine levels, resulted in a tobacco abstinence rate of 51 percent.
Alcohol intake can alter circadian rhythms, influencing heart rate, blood pressure, hormone levels, and immune function. Disruptions to the 'biological clock' within the body may result in 'physiological anarchy,' with widespread pathology.
Co-occurring anxiety disorders, particularly social phobia and panic disorder, increase the risk of relapse to drinking. Screening for these conditions is essential in alcoholism treatment settings.
The study found that gamblers and alcoholics have unique personality traits affecting their cravings, with gambling craving linked to positive emotions and alcohol craving tied to negative emotions. The research suggests that individuals with distinct emotional regulation patterns are more vulnerable to addiction.
Only about 0.06% of health plan members receive a diagnosis for alcohol dependence, compared to 40% for depression, 65% for diabetics, and 70% for those with hypertension. This failure to identify and treat alcohol dependence begins with inadequate screening and follow-up care.
A recent study found that children who experience a low response to alcohol are at higher risk of developing alcohol dependence. The research also suggests that genetics play a significant role in the development of this trait.
A new 24-item scale measures the continuum of alcohol problems in college students, providing excellent distributional properties and retaining meaningful variance. The scale is brief, efficient, and suitable for self-assessment, surveillance, and treatment-needs change measure.
Researchers emphasize the need for early detection and monitoring of alcohol abuse to prevent dependence issues. Emerging biomarkers, such as genetic analysis, hold promise for accurate diagnosis and treatment compliance.
Researchers found that participants who reduced their drinking had better outcomes and were more likely to remain in treatment, suggesting that psychosocial therapies' effectiveness is linked to patient characteristics rather than attendance. The study's findings challenge the current assumption that therapy is key to treating alcoholism.
A recent study found that living near a casino increases the risk of problem gambling, with a 90% increase in odds for those within 10 miles. Social and environmental influences also play a role, with respondents from disadvantaged neighborhoods reporting higher rates of problem gambling.
The article highlights how government policy on alcohol is influenced by the night-time economy and jobs it generates, rather than careful data analysis. Binge drinkers are portrayed as folk devils, associated with noise, disorder, and violence, and are often linked to young people drunk in public places.
A new study found that even short-term chronic alcohol consumption can lead to long-lasting cognitive deficits in mice. Researchers fed mice an alcohol or sucrose diet for eight weeks, followed by a three-week withdrawal period, and found that learning and memory tests showed deficits in all types of tasks.
This study investigates the effects of alcohol on brain structure and function, highlighting permanent and transient changes due to excessive drinking. Abstinence has been shown to reverse some brain damage, including dendrite shrinkage, which may improve cognitive functions.
A study using computed tomography found that women's brains atrophy faster and show greater brain damage from chronic drinking than men's. Women start to drink later but develop dependence earlier and experience more severe consequences.
A study using a large U.S. population sample found that current DSM-IV criteria for alcohol-use disorder may be overly diagnostic in adolescents due to relatively infrequent drinking and shorter drinking histories. The study suggests age-specific distributions for these criteria conform to the age-specific distributions of alcohol use.
Researchers found that concentrated community interventions resulted in significant declines in alcohol-related fatal crashes, with 22% reductions in crashes involving BACs of 0.01% or higher. The studies also showed a 20% decline in crashes for BACs of 0.08% or higher and a 17% decline for BACs of 0.15% or higher.
A genetic study found significant associations between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and alcohol dependence in a Russian population. The variations were in the GABRA2 receptor subtype, which is involved in regulating brain activity and can decrease activity of the entire brain and body.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a concerning trend: alcohol-impaired driving episodes are increasing, with four out of five cases linked to binge drinking. The researchers stress that new strategies are needed to address this issue, including reducing binge drinking and implementing deter...
Researchers found significant associations between two SNPs and alcohol dependence in a Russian population, similar to U.S. findings. The study suggests that the GABRA2 gene influences risk for alcoholism regardless of environmental factors.
A study found that college students tend to overestimate volumes, over-pour drinks, and under-report levels of consumption. Educational feedback improves students' understanding of standard drink definitions, leading them to report a larger number of beverages consumed.
Research found that alcohol consumption increases smoking urge in light smokers, regardless of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The desire to smoke while drinking is related to the amount of alcohol consumed during a drinking episode.
Research reveals that chronic alcohol consumption impairs the heart's protein synthesis ability in males but not females. The study found altered phosphorylation of a particular protein factor involved in protein synthesis was affected in males following prolonged ethanol consumption.
A new study at Rockefeller University shows that contingency management treatment significantly increases patient success rates and improves the morale of clinic staff and administration. The treatment method uses positive reinforcement to encourage constructive actions towards recovery.
A study found that a functional variant of a histamine-metabolizing enzyme is associated with higher frequencies of the allele in alcoholics, suggesting it may increase vulnerability to alcoholism. In contrast, carriers of the Ile105 allele are protected against developing alcoholism due to lower levels of anxiety.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that binge drinking negatively affects mood and cognitive performance in young adults. Females were more impaired than males on working memory and vigilance tasks. The research suggests that binge drinking may contribute to the development of alcohol dependence.