Articles tagged with Alcoholism
A study on women-only Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Brazil found that participants experienced rejection and loneliness due to social stigma. The women-only format provided a safe space for self-expression and reclaimed dignity, differing from mixed meetings where men-focused testimonials prevailed.
Researchers found that suspected amygdala neurons producing corticotropin-releasing factor are not necessary for alcohol withdrawal or dependence. Instead, the CRF is believed to come from other neurons in the brain, with potential implications for human treatment options.
Researchers found that female mice produce more of the FPR2 protein, which helps prevent NAFLD, and that estrogen mediates its production. This discovery highlights the need for sex-balanced animal experiments and could lead to novel treatments and gender-based therapies for NASH
A new study using a dataset of over 36,000 adults found that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption was associated with reductions in overall brain volume. The association grew stronger with increasing levels of alcohol consumption, comparable to aging two and three years, respectively.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open finds that a combination treatment of nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline is more effective for smoking cessation in heavy drinkers, resulting in 44.3% abstinence rate. Participants also showed significant reductions in drinking rates, with 25% decrease in weekly drinking days.
Researchers found lower functional connectivity between brain areas involved in social and emotional processing in individuals at risk of developing alcohol use disorder. This impairment may affect their ability to interpret facial expressions and respond to their environment, increasing the likelihood of disordered drinking.
The opioid crisis in the US has reached epidemic levels, with over 100,000 drug overdose deaths reported for the first time. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the rise to abuse of synthetic opioid fentanyl and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers discovered that a hormone called FGF21 suppresses alcohol consumption in primates by altering neural transmission in the brain. This finding provides a mechanism for a liver-to-brain endocrine feedback loop to protect the liver from damage and may lead to potential treatment options for alcohol use disorder.
Researchers from Penn State's Department of Biobehavioral Health developed wearable sensors that can detect alcohol concentration in sweat, providing a more nuanced understanding of intoxication. The study shows that wearable technology can predict the negative consequences of drinking and help prevent alcohol-related harm.
A team of scientists from Pusan National University conducted an updated meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between alcohol consumption and unprovoked seizures and epilepsy. They found that overall, alcohol drinkers were at a significantly higher risk of developing epilepsy compared to non-drinkers.
Researchers found that exposure to addiction medicine consult teams led to a significantly reduced risk of death within three months of discharge. Medication played a key role in reducing mortality for patients with opioid use disorders, while other components may be crucial for those with alcohol use disorder.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that people with 'slow' life-history strategies, focusing on future rewards, exhibited positive behaviors and were more likely to be in remission. In contrast, those with 'fast' life-history strategies, prioritizing immediate rewards, faced greater challenges during recovery.
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that people with underweight who drink excessively may be at an even higher risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, and other causes. The researchers analyzed data on mortality risk among drinkers and non-drinkers using the CDC categories to define
Researchers found that alcohol-related problems increased by 49% for women and 69% for men during the pandemic. Men's alcohol use declined by 20%, while women's remained steady, with feelings of loneliness playing a role in drinking patterns.
A clinical trial found that people with severe alcohol disorder stayed off alcohol for longer when treated with low doses of ketamine combined with psychological therapy. The therapy showed promise in preventing relapse and improving liver function, with participants having lower depression rates after three months.
A new study projects that increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic will result in 8,000 additional deaths from liver disease and 18,700 cases of liver failure by 2040. The researchers estimated a one-year increase in consumption to cause 100 additional deaths and 2,800 cases of liver failure by 2023.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that monthly alcohol sales increased by an average of 5.5% over expected sales, while cannabis sales surged by 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians bought $1.86 billion more alcohol and $811 million more cannabis than predicted based on pre-pandemic trends.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that people who abstain from alcohol do not necessarily have a shorter survival time than those who consume low to moderate amounts. The study, which analyzed data from over 4,000 German adults, suggests that factors such as previous substance abuse or poor health are more significant predic...
A recent qualitative study has identified six strategies that recovering alcoholics use to manage stigmas, including adopting a 'no judgment' mindset and seeking support from loved ones. The study, which conducted in-depth interviews with 22 U.S. adults who have been sober for at least 10 years, aims to provide a tool kit for helping p...
US car crash deaths involving cannabis have doubled between 2000 and 2018, with those also involving alcohol increasing by over 100%. Researchers found a significant link between cannabis use and increased risk of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes.
Researchers found that 44.3% of the Mbendjele BaYaka population had hazardous alcohol consumption, associated with mental and physical health harms like high blood pressure and increased diarrhoea rates. The study emphasizes the need for community involvement and socioeconomic changes to address the underlying drivers of poor health.
A Binghamton University researcher has received a $1.74 million grant to investigate how prenatal alcohol exposure affects anxiety in offspring. The study aims to understand the relationship between corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and anxiety, with potential implications for diagnosis and treatment of human patients.
A preclinical study found that female mice are more susceptible to binge drinking due to a brain circuit called the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The BNST is more excitable in females, requiring stronger inhibition to curb excessive alcohol consumption. This natural 'brake' mechanism may also contribute to sex differences...
A study found that only about 2-2.5% of individuals with alcohol dependence in Sweden receive alcohol medication, highlighting unequal provision of treatment across sociodemographic factors and co-morbid conditions. The research suggests low knowledge among physicians and patients, as well as preference for psychological treatment over...
A $992,000 VA Merit Review grant will fund research on non-neuronal activity after binge drinking to understand its impact on synaptic dysfunction and alcohol use disorder. The study aims to identify novel mechanisms, specifically astrocytes, involved in the dysregulation of neuronal activity.
Research reveals that young adults with ADHD are 69% more likely to develop a substance use disorder than their peers without ADHD. More than one-quarter of those with ADHD also experience major depression.
A new WVU study found that psychological capital, including self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resiliency, can help employees cope with the stress of working during a pandemic. Workers who used adaptive coping strategies fared better, but those relying on maladaptive behaviors experienced higher levels of stress.
Researchers identified a large list of candidate genes associated with alcohol consumption and AUD, including SPI1 and MAPT. These genes are linked to other psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, such as depression and Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in Science Advances reveals a previously unknown mechanism behind compulsive alcohol use, which may be targeted by medication. A small group of nerve cells in the central amygdala promote alcohol use despite negative consequences.
A Korean National Health Insurance System study found frequent drinking is a more important risk factor for gastrointestinal cancers than the amount of alcohol consumed per occasion. This observational study suggests that individuals who drink frequently are at higher risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found that first-year college students reported decreased alcohol use and binge drinking during the pandemic. Social factors such as social distancing and reduced social support were associated with these decreases, while stress-related factors played a lesser role for most students.
A new review suggests children of parents who drink heavily are at elevated risk of poor outcomes including mental health disorders, hospitalizations and criminal behavior. Register-based studies provide a fuller picture of the harm caused by family members' drinking.
The study analyzed patient data before and during the pandemic, revealing a significant increase in liver transplant requests and procedures. During the pandemic, more patients with acute alcohol-associated hepatitis underwent liver transplantation, highlighting the need for increased access to transplantation services.
A Washington State University research team developed wearable wristbands to measure physiological responses to stress in real-time, providing a potential method to prevent relapses in people with Alcohol Use Disorder. The study found that the devices matched survey results and can trigger interventions when needed.
A new study published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse found that 71% of Canadians with a history of alcohol dependence were no longer dependent, while 52% were free from any addictions or mental illness. The researchers also discovered that social support and age were strongly associated with optimal mental health, with older...
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women who drink alcohol are less likely to conceive, with heavy drinking associated with a 61% reduced odds of becoming pregnant. Moderate drinking during the luteal phase also linked to lower conception rates, highlighting the importance of avoiding alcohol for those trying to conceive.
A recent study found that sleep timing and duration are associated with an increased risk of cannabis use and binge drinking among teens and young adults. Late-night preference predicted a greater likelihood of any cannabis use, while later sleep timing on the weekend predicted more severe binge drinking.
A novel study on young adults' heavy drinking during the pandemic reveals a reduction in problematic drinking among men and women. However, women showed significant increases in depression and anxiety symptoms compared to men.
A new study by Indiana University researcher Hank Green found that cohesive neighborhoods where people get along and help each other have a lower likelihood of binge drinking. In contrast, disordered neighborhoods with less social cohesion tend to increase binge drinking, especially among those with denser social networks.
Experts at the University of Missouri are gathering data on extreme drinking behaviors to inform future public health interventions. The five-year grant will provide accurate information on factors influencing drinking habits, including biological and environmental factors.
A team of British and Chinese researchers has identified a brain network that regulates response to danger, finding that imbalances in this pathway lead to compulsive and impulsive drinking behaviors. The study's findings have significant implications for developing more effective interventions to tackle global alcohol abuse.
A new study reveals that every week of lockdown leads to increased binge drinking, with participants consuming six drinks per session compared to two among less regular binge drinkers. The research highlights the relationship between COVID-19-related stress factors and changes in alcohol consumption.
Researchers at Boston University used optogenetics to study the effects of alcohol on brain function and behavior. They found that artificially dampening fear responses in mice could mitigate addiction-related behaviors. This suggests that memory manipulation may be a promising approach to treating alcohol addiction.
Research finds that chronic alcohol exposure compromises brain immune cells, fueling anxiety and excessive drinking in mice. Boosting IL-10 signaling reverses aberrant effects, reducing anxiety-like behaviors and motivation to drink. This study provides a new framework for therapeutic intervention, targeting anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
The University of Illinois Chicago is leading a consortium to investigate how adolescent binge drinking affects genes, brain circuitry, and behaviors through epigenetics. The five-year project aims to identify neurobiological changes resulting from early binge drinking and its impact on adult psychopathology such as anxiety and addiction.
A new study found that DUI arrest rates in California increase as distance to the southern border decreases, likely due to greater availability of alcohol. The study also reveals sociodemographic factors contributing to higher DUI rates, including Hispanic population density and age groups.
A study found four distinct classes of drinkers, each with their own vocabulary and habits, providing insight into drinking habits and potentially informing intervention efforts. The results suggest that understanding how drunk someone feels may be a better predictor of risky behavior than objective measures.
The Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics at UIC is continuing its research on the epigenetic mechanisms of alcohol abuse disorders. Researchers will use animal models and human postmortem brain tissue to examine how epigenetic changes mediate withdrawal symptoms and promote increased drinking.
Research suggests fluctuating estrogen levels make alcohol more rewarding to female mice, potentially increasing susceptibility to alcohol use disorders. Activating estrogen receptors increases dopamine release and binge drinking behavior in female mice.
A study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica found that one-third of Scandinavian women have used emergency contraceptive pills at least once. The study identified higher education, smoking, and age at first intercourse as factors associated with ECP use.
A study by Medical University of South Carolina researchers identified a specific brain region and system that can be manipulated to decrease binge drinking. The kappa opioid-receptor system plays a crucial role in driving binge and compulsive alcohol use, as well as contributing to stress and unease during withdrawal.
Researchers found dihydromyricetin (DHM) activates mechanisms that quickly metabolize alcohol and reduce liver harm. The study supports DHM as a dietary supplement to offset acute and long-term risks of alcohol consumption.
A new study by Purdue University researchers found that a family history of alcoholism can alter the brain's ability to switch between active and resting states. The brain reconfigures itself after completing a mentally demanding task, but those with a family history of addiction may not experience this process.
A study found that UK military personnel drink to cope with anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, increasing the risk of alcohol misuse. Personnel who drink alone or at home are more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol misuse and binge drinking.
A recent study published in Addiction found that college students in states where marijuana was legalized by 2018 used more marijuana and were 18% more likely to have used it in the past 30 days compared to students in non-legalized states. In contrast, binge drinking rates decreased significantly in these states, with students aged 21...
A Yale-led team found that parental monitoring and teen awareness of their parents' attitudes on alcohol use can have life-saving effects. The study showed that teens who knew their parents disapproved of drinking were less likely to drive while impaired four years later.
A study found that women without children increased their binge drinking from 21% to 42% between 2006 and 2018. In contrast, men without children reported the highest levels of binge drinking, while young men with children experienced a decline. The researchers suggest physicians should screen all adults for alcohol use disorders.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that neural activity patterns can predict which individuals will develop compulsive drinking behaviors after a single binge drinking experience. The study identifies a specific cortical-brainstem circuit as a biomarker for the development of compulsive drinking behavior.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that intermittent exposure to high levels of alcohol in adolescent animals leads to altered gene expression in adulthood. Blocking microRNA-137 in adulthood reverses or reduces the lasting effects of youth drinking, such as increased anxiety and alcohol use.
A new study reveals a 16% decline in the relationship between binge drinking and depressive symptoms among high schoolers from 1991 to 2018. The decline is even more pronounced among girls, with a 25% decrease in the association.