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.
A nationwide cohort study of 1.2 million people found that refugees and migrants who stay in their host country for longer are more likely to adopt local alcohol and drug behaviors and access healthcare. The study suggests that acculturative processes may lead to an increased risk of substance use disorders over time.
A recent study found that people with obesity share similar personality profiles with those with addictive behaviors, including uncontrolled eating. This suggests that obesity treatments may benefit from adopting methods used in addiction recovery to improve self-control.
A recent study found that frequent drinking is more dangerous for heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation, than binge drinking. Drinking small amounts regularly increases the risk by 8% per week, while daily drinking poses the greatest danger.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics found that female rats who binge drink experience more severe liver injury than male rats. The research discovered nearly four times as much fatty build-up in the livers of female rats, triggering additional inflammation and damage.
A study by NYU School of Medicine found that over 10% of adults aged 65+ binge drink, with males and cannabis users more likely to engage in this behavior. Binge drinking increases the risk of health problems, particularly among older adults with chronic health issues.
Dr. Carlo C. DiClemente, an internationally renowned scientist, will deliver the 11th Annual Jack Mendelson Honorary Lecture at the NIH. His presentation focuses on the necessity of relapse and recycling in recovery from alcohol use disorder using the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change.
A study examined which conditions were considered illnesses by different groups, revealing a significant difference between psychiatrists and non-medical professionals. The results underscore the importance of understanding societal attitudes towards mental health, as these perceptions influence resource allocation and stigma.
Researchers aim to develop personalized treatments for addiction by studying mechanisms of control and decision-making. The center will use mobile health technologies, apps, and imaging techniques to analyze cognitive performance and mood states of addicts.
Dr. Geoffrey K. Mumford received the Senator Harold Hughes Memorial Award for his work in promoting evidence-based findings and improving prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorders. His efforts have bridged communities across the field, fostering a stronger connection between research and policy.
Research from Boston University School of Medicine found that alcoholic men have diminished brain activity in emotional processing regions compared to women. The study suggests that gender-specific prevention and treatment approaches may be necessary for effective management of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).
Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered a specific neuronal population responsible for alcohol cravings, using lasers to temporarily inactivate these cells. This breakthrough may lead to the development of drug therapies or gene therapies for alcohol addiction.
A randomized trial of Smart Choices 4 Teens, an online family prevention program, found significant reductions in teen alcohol use and related problems. The program decreased drinking days, amount consumed, and parent-teen communication about social host laws.
Research suggests that adolescent binge drinking increases risk for anxiety later in life by altering brain connectivity and epigenetic programming. Abnormal epigenetic changes in the amygdala, a key emotional regulation center, can lead to lasting susceptibility to psychological issues.
Research found social anxiety disorder had strongest association with alcoholism and predicted it over other anxiety disorders. Individuals with social anxiety were at higher risk of developing later alcoholism compared to those with other anxiety disorders.
A study of 2,700 patients with ADHD found that variations in the LPHN3 gene increased the risk of nicotine dependence by 40%. The findings suggest a link between ADHD and addictive substance use, highlighting the need for new genetic tools to prevent addictive behaviors in people with ADHD.
Researchers at OHSU discovered a gene linked to lower expression in primates who consumed heavy amounts of alcohol, which reduced consumption by almost 50% when increased in mice. The study highlights a novel target for treating alcoholism and mood disorders.
A Rutgers-led study found that heavy drinking can trigger genetic changes that increase craving for alcohol. The study suggests that these changes may contribute to the powerful addiction of alcoholism and potentially lead to new treatments.
A systematic review of naltrexone found no evidence of serious side effects, contradicting common doctor concerns. The study also highlights the drug's cost-effectiveness and potential to reduce deaths from alcohol-related causes, which remain underutilized due to cultural and prescription biases.
Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 41% have lifetime alcohol use disorder; 34% seek alcohol-related treatment. Men aged 35-64 are most likely to receive treatment, with 20.5% of non-Hispanic Whites also seeking help.
A recent study identified a gene that regulates alcohol metabolism and found associations between this gene and risk for depression and other psychiatric disorders. The study also discovered different variants in the same gene affect risk levels in European and African populations.
A new study found a clear negative correlation between climate factors and alcohol consumption, with colder regions and areas with less sunlight experiencing higher drinking rates. Climate is also tied to binge drinking and the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease, which claims many lives in patients with prolonged excessive alcohol use.
Research found that affordable housing is linked to health problems like asthma, stress, and alcoholism, especially among higher-income citizens and conservatives, who are more responsive to personal responsibility themes
Research finds a strong correlation between time spent under communism and increased alcohol intake, particularly among women. Long-term effects of communist regimes on drinking habits persist even after the Soviet Union's collapse.
A mouse study found that binge drinking makes male mice more likely to drink under stress, while female mice show no such increase. The study suggests sex differences in the brain's response to stress and alcohol consumption.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that consuming one to two drinks four or more times per week increases the risk of premature death by 20%, compared to drinking three times a week or less. This increased risk was consistent across age groups and outweighed potential benefits in cardiovascular health.
Repeated binge drinking alters gene expression in the brain, affecting hormone signaling and immune function in females, while nerve signaling is impacted in males. This study highlights the importance of tailoring treatments for male and female patients with alcohol use disorder.
A US housing subsidy program may reduce adolescent girls' binge drinking but worsen boys'. The study analyzed 2829 adolescents and found a harmful effect of treatment on boys' binge drinking. The reasons for the gender difference are unclear, but further research is needed to uncover the exact mechanisms.
Researchers found that taurine in energy drinks increased fear-reducing properties of alcohol but also affected social communication in zebrafish. Mixing energy drinks and alcohol may impair judgment and increase risks of fighting and risky behaviors.
Research by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that frequent binge drinkers had higher blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at a younger age. Young men who binge drink have higher systolic blood pressure, while young women have higher blood sugar levels compared to non-binge drinkers.
A new mouse study reveals that binge drinking during adolescence can impair working memory and increase the risk of becoming an alcoholic in adulthood. The study found altered neuron excitability and changes in the prefrontal cortex, which may help explain why adolescents who binge drink have memory problems.
A new study found that injury crashes were more frequent in areas with more retail alcohol outlets, including bars. The research also showed that crash risks are associated with local outlet density and alcohol availability across neighboring areas.
A new study published in Journal of the American Heart Association found that young adults who frequently binge drink are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The research revealed that young men who reported repeated binge drinking had higher systolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-binge drinker...
A new study by Scripps Research scientists found that activating GPR139, a receptor linked to alcohol addiction, can significantly decrease drinking in alcohol-addicted rats. The researchers also discovered that the drug helps mediate physical pain associated with withdrawal in severe cases of alcohol addiction.
Researchers found that rats who chose alcohol showed similarities to human alcohol addiction diagnostic criteria, including continued use despite negative consequences. The study identified a gene expression change in the amygdala region of the brain as key to understanding this behavior.
Young adults who use alcohol and/or marijuana are more likely to engage in condomless sex, with women being at greater risk on days with substance use. The study found that women's risk of condomless sex increased by a factor of 2.12 on alcohol use days, while men's risk was only slightly higher on dual use days.
A single episode of binge drinking can alter a key gene that regulates sleep, leading to increased non-rapid eye movement sleep and reduced sleep in subsequent periods. This finding may shed light on the link between sleep disturbances and alcoholism in humans.
A recent rat model study found that preconception binge drinking can negatively affect future offspring's growth, social interactions, and pubertal development. The study also discovered that these effects can be passed down through generations, highlighting the importance of parental behavior in shaping offspring's traits.
A study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that teenage girls who binge drink regularly have lower bone mass, even when accounting for other factors. The researchers suggest that avoiding binge drinking may help young women reach their peak bone mass and reduce their risk of osteoporosis.
Researchers found that binding to MUNC 13-1 reduces tolerance to alcohol, making it harder to become addicted. By inhibiting this protein, a pill could be developed to reduce the formation of tolerance and alleviate alcoholism.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new drug, JVW-1034, that targets the sigma 2 receptor to block alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings. In animal models, the drug has shown no obvious side effects and has been shown to reduce alcohol consumption in rats.
A recent study found that maternal binge drinking during pregnancy and lactation can impair the mental health of their offspring, leading to mood disturbances and increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse as adolescents. The research suggests that even occasional heavy drinking can have a depressive effect on the mother and pass on chan...
Texas A&M researchers discovered that inducing persistent changes in drinking behavior by manipulating neural connections may hold the key to understanding and treating alcoholism. The study found that reversing these changes could potentially lead to a decrease in alcohol consumption.
A IU-led study found that the neurotransmitter glutamate plays a role in some alcohol cravings and relapses. Glutamate levels decreased in the brains of individuals with alcohol abuse disorder after viewing cues associated with drinking.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that approximately one to five percent of first-grade children in the US have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, rates comparable to those of autism spectrum disorders. Researchers evaluated over 6,000 children across four regions and estimated prevalence ...
A new study found that binge drinkers have higher levels of microRNA-21, which may contribute to poor vascular function and increased cardiovascular disease risk. The researchers suggest that measuring microRNA-21 could help identify patients at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
A Baylor University study found that combining biological and non-biological beliefs about mental illness causes can lead to increased stigma. The researchers suggest that addressing these complex views in public campaigns and policy initiatives could help reduce stigma, particularly for conditions like depression and schizophrenia.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $8 million to establish a new center for research into alcohol addiction. The Wake Forest Translational Alcohol Research Center will study behavioral and neurobiological factors associated with vulnerability and resilience to alcohol use disorder.
A simple blood test for phosphatidylethanol (PEth) can accurately identify critically ill hospital patients who misuse alcohol. The test has been found to be 88.7% accurate in identifying participants with alcohol misuse, with a level of at least 250 ng/ml being a useful cut-point.
A recent study has discovered a potential treatment for adult alcohol dependence caused by teenage binge drinking behavior. Researchers found that a specific drug can prevent the detrimental effects of adolescent binge drinking on brain development and reduce alcohol consumption in adulthood.
The study aims to determine whether evening binge drinking causes sleep apnea, neural disregulation and abnormal rhythms in blood pressure. Researchers will also examine how menstrual phases affect women's bodies and explore the impact of CPAP on negative effects.
Research suggests that binge drinking habits, rather than the amount consumed, can negatively impact a college graduate's chances of landing a job. The study found that heavy drinkers had a 10% lower probability of finding employment compared to non-binge drinkers.