Articles tagged with Alcoholism
A significant number of Australian women (over 300,000) are drinking at very high-risk levels, with a greater proportion of men consuming alcohol at similar rates. Women are more susceptible to health problems from excessive drinking and may be affected by their natural biological rhythms.
A recent study found that the combination of alcohol and cabin pressure during long-haul flights can lower blood oxygen levels and raise heart rates, even in young and healthy individuals. The researchers suggest that restricting access to alcohol on board may be necessary to protect passenger heart health.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University found that young adults who were heavy drinkers before the pandemic reduced their alcohol consumption significantly during and after the pandemic. The study also showed a decrease in negative emotions and no change in using alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Research using 2011-2021 data found limited associations between recreational cannabis legalization and adolescent substance use. Recreational cannabis retail sales were linked to lower e-cigarette use and an increased frequency of cannabis use among users, leading to no overall change in cannabis use.
Midlife mortality rates for deaths of despair, including suicide, overdose, and liver disease, vary by race and ethnicity, with higher rates among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Early mortality from drug- and alcohol-related causes contributes to these disparities.
Research analyzed genetic data from 3 million individuals and found connections between gene variants influencing alcohol use and many non-alcohol-related conditions. Individuals with protective alleles had better health but also worse outcomes in certain areas, such as tobacco use and skin cancer.
A new study found that shortening overnight operations at bars and taverns reduced homicides by 51% within the first month and by 40% annually. Reducing late-night alcohol sales also decreased all violent crimes by 23% annually in a Baltimore neighborhood.
A recent survey study reveals binge drinking is more prevalent among sports wagering individuals compared to nongamblers and non–sports gamblers. This finding highlights the need for targeted interventions to address excessive alcohol consumption in this demographic.
Researchers have found that LY2444296, a compound blocking the kappa opioid receptor, significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms and alcohol consumption in rats with alcohol dependence. The study suggests that blocking this receptor could lead to new treatment options for people experiencing alcohol use disorder.
A large study found that drinking more than one drink per day can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, especially among young to middle-aged women. The risk was highest among those who engaged in binge drinking, with women facing a 68% higher risk compared to moderate drinkers.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a strong association between alcohol use disorder and suicide mortality across genders. The study highlights the importance of addressing alcohol use disorder as part of comprehensive suicide prevention strategies.
A recent study by Flinders University found that parents are conflicted and concerned about zero-alcohol drinks due to their similarity in taste and appearance. The research suggests that providing these drinks to adolescents may normalize alcohol consumption, leading to increased risks of harm.
A survey study reveals primary care pediatricians lack preparedness in managing adolescent OUD, with a notable gap compared to other substance use disorders. The results underscore the importance of workforce training programs to address this critical healthcare issue.
A new study has found that heavy alcohol use and illicit opioid use are linked to a higher risk of falls and fractures among people living with HIV. The study suggests the need for targeted clinical screening and interventions to prevent falls and related injuries, particularly among populations already at risk.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy's PERU has received a $7.8 million grant to develop and implement measurement-based care into community opioid treatment programs across Pennsylvania. This project aims to improve treatment access, promote recovery, and reduce fatal overdoses by addressing patient needs through personaliz...
A study by University of Georgia researchers found female farmers report higher levels of stress and are more likely to binge drink when they do consume alcohol. The pattern holds true for those who own or manage farms, where women face unique challenges in male-dominated industries.
A new study found that African Americans, Hispanics/Latinx, and young adults are less likely to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings compared to White counterparts. The study also found that these disparities have persisted despite the evolution of AA and the availability of alternative mutual-help groups.
A new study by Staffordshire University has found that stigma in drug and alcohol treatment services can lead to emotional harm for women. The research reveals that women are often stigmatised and shamed when seeking support from professionals.
A new study suggests that using artificial intelligence to scan surgery patients' medical records can identify those with risky drinking habits who may benefit from education or treatment. The AI system analyzed over 53,000 patient records and found three times more patients with high-risk alcohol use than diagnosis codes alone.
Researchers found that reducing stimulant use was associated with significant improvement in measures of health and recovery among people with stimulant use disorder. This suggests that a more nuanced perspective on measuring treatment success may be beneficial.
A study from Boston University School of Medicine identifies pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) as a critical player in heavy alcohol consumption. PACAP's action in the brain's bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) region is found to be linked to increased stress responses and excessive drinking behavior.
A new study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research found that 12% of people aged 50-80 have consumed a THC-containing substance in the past year. Those who drink alcohol at risky levels have a higher rate of cannabis use, highlighting the need for education and screening for older adults.
A new study identified 60 alcohol-associated circulating metabolites that appear to produce counteractive effects on the risk of heart disease. The findings suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may trigger changes in metabolomic profiles, yielding both beneficial and harmful outcomes.
Recent research from the University of Southern Denmark suggests that even modest reductions in alcohol consumption and participation in treatment can improve quality of life for older adults aged 60 and above with notable alcohol intake. A study utilizing data from the Elderly Study found significant improvements across all domains, i...
Researchers tested EMDR, a therapy proven to treat PTSD and depression, to reduce addiction cravings. The study found Addiction-focused EMDR was as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy for cravings, reducing symptoms by clinically significant amounts.
Researchers found that changes in voice patterns predicted alcohol intoxication with 98% accuracy. The study suggests that smartphones and smart speakers could be used to deliver 'just-in-time interventions' to prevent injuries and deaths from motor vehicle accidents.
The new Canadian guideline aims to reduce harms associated with high-risk drinking and support people's treatment and recovery from AUD. It provides 15 evidence-based recommendations for primary health care providers to implement effective screening and treatment interventions.
A Swedish study finds that fathers' parental leave is associated with a 34% decrease in alcohol-related hospitalizations among fathers, as well as smaller decreases over time. The policy change led to increased fathers' use of parental leave, which may explain the observed health benefits.
A new NIH grant will investigate the impact of combined alcohol and e-cigarette use on the blood brain barrier, a cell layer regulating substance passage into the central nervous system. The study aims to identify mechanisms behind damage and potential biomarkers for clinical use.
A study of 69,000 adults with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection found no difference in sustained virologic response across alcohol use categories. This suggests that restricting access to direct-acting antiviral therapy based on alcohol use may create unnecessary barriers for patients. The findings challenge HCV elimination goals.
A $3 million grant will support a culturally tailored group-based intervention to prevent alcohol addiction and consequences in Pacific Islander young adults. The study aims to address the extreme risk of alcohol abuse in this population, which has been linked to high rates of alcohol use disorder.
Children born to parents with substance use disorders are at increased risk of intellectual disability, regardless of whether the issue is with mothers or fathers. The study found that both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to this risk.
A neglected brain region has been identified as a key player in addiction recovery. The supplementary motor cortex was found to be hyperexcitable in individuals with cocaine use disorders, even after withdrawal periods of 45 days. This discovery may lead to new treatment approaches using transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Researchers found a significant increase in pediatric trauma admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic, with younger patients and falls from moderate heights being more common. Blood alcohol levels were also higher in patients aged 14-18 years old, suggesting targeted interventions to curb alcohol use may be needed
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have found that implanting a specific molecule in the brain can effectively reduce alcohol use among chronic heavy drinkers. The study showed a 90% reduction in drinking behavior in nonhuman primates, with the implanted virus permanently increasing dopamine levels and reducing cravings.
Researchers have discovered that gene therapy may prevent relapse in patients with serious alcohol addiction by altering dopamine function in the brain's mesolimbic reward pathway. The treatment involves sustained release of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in a specific region of the brain.
A study of 15,000 adults found that alcohol consumption and risky drinking behaviors were prevalent among cancer survivors. The findings highlight the need for additional research to address the emerging concern of alcohol consumption in cancer patients.
A recent study found a significantly higher rate of increase in deaths among female individuals due to alcohol-related causes. The findings underscore the importance of investigating specific factors contributing to this trend.
Researchers found that Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) can restore spatial working memory and reduce withdrawal symptoms in mice exposed to alcohol. KRG suppresses the PKA-CREB signaling pathway and inhibits neuroinflammation, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic intervention for treating alcohol use disorder.
A study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that a group of genes involved in neuronal plasticity and pain perception are also associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) risk. These genes work together to influence neural communication, leading to changes in brain function that can contribute to AUDs.
A study by Dr. Mary Beth Miller found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia effectively reduced negative outcomes associated with excessive drinking among veterans. CBT improved insomnia symptoms, which in turn decreased cravings and negative behaviors related to alcohol consumption.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that substance use impairs cognitive flexibility by inhibiting specific neurons. Chronic cocaine or alcohol use alters the local inhibitory brain circuit, leading to decreased cognitive flexibility and increased risk of academic deficits and lower quality of life.
Researchers found that individuals with AUD displayed less impairment on fine motor and cognitive tasks when consuming a standard dose of alcohol, but showed significant impairment at a higher dose. This suggests that the physical effects of alcohol accumulation contribute to impaired performance beyond mere tolerance.
Research at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found a rise in binge drinking among people aged 31 and over in US states with recreational cannabis laws. Binge drinking declined among younger age groups, including those aged 12-20 and 21-30.
A study found that harm reduction treatment reduced substance use, including cannabis and polysubstance use, among people experiencing homelessness. Participants in the treatment group used cannabis 41% fewer days than the control group. The approach led to improved quality of life and basic needs, making it a sustainable option.
Young adults with a history of heavy drinking since adolescence exhibit lower cortical gray matter thickness and altered neurotransmission, according to a recent study. Cortical thinning is associated with increased inhibitory neurotransmission, especially in the frontal and parietal lobes.
A study by Scripps Research and University of Bologna found that excessive alcohol consumption accelerates cognitive decline in genetically susceptible mice. Gene expression analysis revealed widespread changes indicative of disease progression, including increased neuronal excitability and neurodegeneration.
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that adolescents with signs of alcohol dependence are more likely to develop depression by their mid-20s. This association remained after adjusting for potential confounding factors, suggesting a causal relationship between alcohol dependence and subsequent depression.
Researchers found that individuals understood genetic risk scores and reported intentions to reduce their drinking if they had high-risk scores. However, the study's authors caution that receiving genetic feedback is just the first step in behavior change, and connecting individuals to resources and support is crucial.
A recent study published in Calcified Tissue International found that heavy drinkers are at risk of muscle loss and frailty. The research, which analyzed data from the UK Biobank, suggests that consuming 10 units or more of alcohol per day can lead to lower muscle mass, even when adjusted for body size and other factors.
A new national study of over 50,000 US adolescents reveals a strong association between vaping nicotine and increased likelihood of high-level cannabis usage and binge drinking. The findings highlight the need for sustained interventions to address co-occurring substance use among young people.
Researchers found people with anxiety and depression disorder experience greater alcohol use disorder symptoms, even at similar levels of drinking. The study analyzed data on 26,000 adults and found that those with internalizing disorders predicted more alcohol-related symptoms.
A study of working men in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea found that alcohol-tolerant individuals do not earn more than their intolerant colleagues. Despite the cultural pressure to drink, better social drinkers did not experience a wage premium in terms of working hours or earnings.
A Scripps Research team found that both alcohol intake and withdrawal can lead to increased pain sensitivity in adult mice. The study suggests potential new drug targets for treating alcohol-associated chronic pain and hypersensitivity.
A randomized trial found tailored education and peer support significantly reduced binge-drinking among Army National Guard members over the course of a year. Participants who received online education sessions and supportive phone calls from veteran peers showed substantial declines in binge-drinking days and scores on risk assessments.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that only 7% of Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder (OUD) received residential treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. Residential treatment centers provide structured support and are considered one of the best treatments for severe substance use.
Research finds that endocannabinoids protect against addiction in individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment. The 'resilient' group showed increased function of the endocannabinoid system and different brain activity compared to other groups.
Researchers found that alcohol screening rates significantly declined during the initial COVID-19 surge due to competing pandemic priorities and telemedicine shifts. Screening rates later recovered as in-person care resumed and telemedicine workflows improved.
A Marshall University researcher has received a $388,500 NIH grant to study the effects of binge drinking on brain development and its long-term cognitive consequences. The two-year grant will allow her team to identify mechanisms that drive changes in brain function and explore novel targets for prevention and treatment.
A comprehensive study found that individuals who maintained their drinking habits during the pandemic had lower prevalence of mental health issues compared to those who abstained or experienced changes. The research also identified groups with stronger associations between alcohol consumption and mental health outcomes.