Articles tagged with Alcohol Abuse
Two NIH-funded studies will investigate pregnenolone's potential to treat substance use disorders and co-occurring depression. Researchers aim to determine whether a single brain-based approach can address overlapping conditions in behavioral health.
A study published in Addiction Neuroscience found that music therapy reduces cravings and alters brain activity in people with substance use disorders. The therapy was shown to improve emotional regulation and reduce negative emotions, providing encouraging evidence for its role in addiction treatment.
A large international survey study of 64,472 participants found that impulsivity is strongly associated with increased substance use frequency among individuals with a history of sexual abuse. The study suggests that impulsivity may play a moderating role in the relationship between sexual abuse and substance use, varying by country, g...
A national study found a decline in alcohol use among Gen Z and millennials, but heavy drinking among adults aged 50-64 increased by more than 36% since 2018. The study's findings highlight the need for tailored prevention and treatment strategies.
Oben Health's AI-enabled platform brings preventive care to underserved communities through trusted community spaces. Malama Health's digital maternal health mobile app also receives recognition for its impact on maternal health outcomes.
A statewide evaluation will assess the implementation and impact of California's traditional health care practices benefit, covering culturally grounded healing approaches for substance use disorders. The project aims to identify best practices for strengthening access to traditional healing and improving care for Native communities.
A new study found that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the US doubled between 1990 and 2023, with colorectal and breast cancers standing out among adults ages 20 to 54. The study also revealed that alcohol-linked cancer deaths are not limited to older adults or liver cancer.
Researchers found that adolescent binge alcohol exposure caused lasting changes in brain function, disrupting communication between astrocytes and synapses, and persisting into adulthood. Improving astrocyte function partially recovered these effects, suggesting a potential new approach for addressing persistent behavioral effects.
A study by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that cancer-specific messages paired with AI-generated visuals draw more attention and stronger intentions to cut back on drinking. The study showed that messages named particular cancers performed better than broad warnings about cancer risk.
A new study led by Northwestern University reveals that loneliness can reprogram the brain to drive alcohol consumption in males, but suppress it in females. The study identified a specific brain circuit that explains how social isolation escalates alcohol use in males, marking a major advance for the field.
This study of 186,823 US adults reveals an increasing prevalence of moderate-to-severe cannabis use disorder among males and females between 2021 and 2024, while moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder prevalence remained stable. The findings highlight significant age and sex disparities in cannabis and alcohol use disorders.
A new trial will assess whether Semaglutide reduces alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder, obesity, and liver disease. The four-year CURB project aims to explore the potential benefits of the weight loss drug in treating alcohol-related liver disease and obesity.
Researchers develop two virtual culturally grounded interventions to address substance use among urban American Indian and Alaska Native emerging adults. The studies show reduced substance use, including cannabis and alcohol consumption, as well as social connections with tribal communities.
A randomized trial found a significant reduction in alcohol use among refugees and locals in Mantapala refugee settlement. The SBIRT intervention was more effective than treatment as usual, with sustained effects over 12 months.
Use of newer GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide was associated with a significant reduction in alcohol-related hospital admissions among adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The findings suggest a potential role for these medications in treating alcohol-use disorder.
A new study found that students and staff involved with collegiate recovery programs held varying definitions of harm reduction, which shaped their perspectives on integrating it into CRPs. The study suggests opportunities to reframe harm reduction in a way that builds common ground and meets students' diverse recovery needs.
A new University of Michigan poll reveals that 31% of people aged 50 and over have never heard of any mental health crisis line, while 69% are unfamiliar with 988. Despite this, most participants expressed willingness to use these services in a mental health emergency, highlighting the need for increased awareness-raising efforts.
Research suggests alcohol interacts with Alzheimer's-related brain circuits in distinct ways, depending on the type of pathological change. Alcohol reduced communication in amyloid-beta models but increased it in tau models, highlighting an important principle in biology.
New research found that GLP-1 RA users showed weaker associations between impulsivity and violent crime, suggesting these medications may lessen risk factors. The study analyzed data from a US survey of adults who used GLP-1 medications.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a dose-response relationship between pancreatic cancer and drinking, with drinking more than two standard Canadian drinks associated with a 10-30% increased risk. Pancreatic cancer is particularly deadly, with only 12% of Canadians surviving five years after diagnosis.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that women with HIV are more likely to die from preventable trauma-related conditions like substance use and mental illness. The researchers say these causes are largely missing from official death records, highlighting the need for broader goals in HIV care beyond just controlling the virus.
The study found high-risk associations between alcohol use and all ten cancers examined, with risk increasing progressively as intake rose. Low-to-moderate drinking was associated with lower disease risk for type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke.
A new tool has been developed to identify blackouts during drinking, using objective memory tests that can detect blackouts in real-time. The study found a moderate correlation between not remembering an image while drinking and self-reported blackouts the next day.
A new review published in Addiction confirms that drinking causes substantial harm to health, including reversibility through reduced or stopped consumption. The review concludes that the harms of alcohol outweigh any potential benefits, highlighting a major cause of disease and injury.
A recent study analyzing data from two California school surveys found that adolescents consistently perceive cannabis as the least harmful substance among their peers. The study, which examined responses from over 175,000 students, also identified age, experience, and social environment as factors influencing teens' perceptions of can...
A new study found that updated alcohol warning labels, including those highlighting cancer risk, can better motivate consumers to cut back on drinking. The study used a nationally representative sample of adults and found that the new labels outperformed the current U.S. warning label in encouraging participants to drink less.
The new recommendations provide a practical approach for clinicians to initiate conversations about alcohol use and identify potential problems earlier. The guidelines update offer easy-to-use tables with tips on reducing alcohol use, helping clinicians focus on patients' unique needs while saving time when circumstances allow.
Researchers at Linköping University developed a digital twin model to predict alcohol consumption and drinking patterns. The tool uses data from exhaled breath, blood, and urine samples to generate individualised results, providing a more accurate picture of when a person last drank.
The study found that outpatient care for youth is driving the growth, with nicotine, cannabis, and opioids being the most common substances. Despite this, alcohol-related visits have declined in all care settings over the past 16 years.
A study from the University of Oregon found that heavy drinking takes a toll on college students' cognition, with impaired memory, attention, and decision-making. The research tracked participants over several weeks, revealing a link between alcohol consumption and cognitive lapses.
A study found that young adults' memories of their drinking habits may not accurately reflect their daily experiences, highlighting the need for new assessment strategies. Real-time measurements of alcohol use disorder symptoms provide more detailed insights than traditional retrospective self-reports.
A study found divergent neural pathways for drinking patterns in young men and women, highlighting the importance of sex-specific prevention strategies. Amygdala reactivity was associated with depressive symptoms in males, while females showed a 'threat-avoidance' profile with lower alcohol risk scores.
Research in mice reveals direct gene regulation by alcohol metabolites, with varying effects on brain regions and exposure durations. Short-term exposure influences more genes and epigenetic programs compared to lengthy exposure.
Researchers found that early adult drinking combined with stress leads to cognitive decline in middle age, with brains damaged beyond recovery. Heavy drinking rewires the brain's circuitry, impairing decision-making and increasing risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study using rats found that a specific brain region, the anterior insula, is more active during actions related to alcohol consumption. This bias in decision-making may be involved in prioritizing alcohol over other rewards, potentially shedding light on the neural underpinnings of alcohol use disorders.
A recent study has confirmed that wild African chimpanzees consume significant quantities of alcohol, with 17 out of 20 urine samples containing ethyl glucuronide, a metabolic byproduct of ethanol. The chimps' diet likely consists of fermented fruits, which provide around 14 grams of ethanol per day.
A study of 382 adolescents aged 15–17 found that zero-alcohol advertisements significantly increased their intentions to try full-strength versions. Teenagers who liked the ads showed more positive attitudes toward the brands and clearer intentions to drink.
A new Washington State University study reveals that prenatal infection increases the likelihood of alcohol misuse in adulthood. Antioxidant treatment may help lower this risk by reducing oxidative stress in the brain.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that binge drinking among adults aged 50 and older is associated with a significantly increased risk of death. After adjusting for health status and socioeconomic factors, individuals who never engaged in binge drinking had a 19% lower mortality risk compared to weekly binge drinkers.
A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies found that broad spiritual practices, such as attending religious services and meditation, were associated with a 13% reduced risk of hazardous drug and alcohol use. This reduction was greater (18%) among individuals attending religious services at least once per week.
A meta-analysis of 55 studies found a significant protective association between spirituality and hazardous alcohol and drug use. The study suggests that spiritual practices may be effective in preventing or reducing the risks associated with these substances.
A new online tool provides information and tools for clinicians to respond to emerging patient care needs, enhancing trauma-informed healthcare for individuals with C-PTSD. The resource was co-developed by researchers and survivors, aligning with best practices and patient-centered research.
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure changed aspects of the dopamine system in rhesus monkeys, influencing how quickly they drank alcohol in adulthood. The researchers also discovered individualized neuroadaptive responses to drinking, which may promote the transition to alcohol use disorder.
Research identifies reduction in recovery focus as most prevalent and potent contributor to long-term relapse, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and proactive interventions. The study highlights the need for integrated biopsychosocial disease-management models to address complex relapse risk factors.
A new study from UT Arlington reveals that one in four US adolescents experience neighborhood trauma, leading to increased substance use. Cyberbullying is more strongly linked to substance use than traditional school bullying, and team sports participation can also contribute to increased alcohol use.
Research reveals that higher lifetime alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer, especially for rectal cancer. Quitting drinking can lower a person’s risk, according to the findings published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal.
A new study published in British Journal of Cancer found that reducing annual alcohol consumption by one litre per person could lower mortality from several major cancers. The strongest impacts were seen in people aged 50 and older, with estimates suggesting a substantial reduction in cancer-related deaths without preventive action.
A new study in NC found that many residential substance-use service providers require patients to engage in unpaid labor, restricting access to evidence-based treatment. Providers with labor requirements are less likely to offer recommended treatment and more likely to operate without a state license.
Research found that prolonged heavy drinking induces neuroinflammation, promoting negative emotional states lasting for weeks into abstinence. Inhibiting proinflammatory microglia activation during alcohol exposure blocks the development of anxiety and fear memory.
A study published in Drug and Alcohol Review journal reveals that workplace factors like long hours, work-related stress, and shift work do not solely drive high-risk drinking. Personal and social factors have an even greater impact on alcohol consumption among workers. The research analyzed over two decades of data from the Household ...
A new study finds that raising the minimum legal drinking age from 16 to 18 years significantly improves academic performance and mental health among European teenagers. The research, conducted by Carmen Villa, shows a decrease in binge drinking and intoxication, leading to better PISA exam scores and reduced anxiety medication use.
A new study by the University at Buffalo found that 12th graders who use two or more cannabis products are more likely to engage in binge drinking. The study suggests that certain modes of cannabis consumption, such as smoking and vaping, may be linked to higher risks of binge drinking.
A recent study by UCLA Health investigators found that mental health conditions significantly raise the likelihood of developing liver cancer among US veterans living with cirrhosis and hepatitis C. The study suggests that these disorders limit access to hepatitis C care, reducing the chance of a cure.
A Washington State University-led study suggests that college students who binge drink have more permissive parents and join fraternities or sororities. Parents with less restrictive attitudes toward drinking are also more likely to have children who engage in heavy episodic drinking.
Young sexual minority men with ADHD symptoms are more likely to begin using substances at an earlier age. The study found inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms predicted earlier use across all substances assessed.
A new compound MCH11, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, shows promising effects in reducing alcohol consumption and motivation to drink in mice. The molecule exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant properties with sex-dependent efficacy, correcting genetic alterations associated with alcohol use disorder.
Researchers discovered psilocin's mechanism to reduce alcohol use in female mice by dampening activity of neurons in the central amygdala, leading to decreased drinking. This finding provides mechanistic insight into psychedelic treatment for psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.
Researchers discovered a connection between sugar metabolism and alcohol addiction, identifying ketohexokinase (KHK) as a key enzyme involved in the process. Blocking KHK showed reduced alcohol consumption and liver damage in mice, suggesting a potential new treatment for both conditions.
A new study found that heavy alcohol use is associated with more severe brain bleeds and long-term brain vessel damage at a younger age. Patients who drank three or more drinks a day had larger, deeper bleeds and were twice as likely to have damage in the tiny blood vessels in the brain.
A Rutgers University review of 31 studies found that exposure to digital alcohol marketing increases the likelihood of past 30-day alcohol use, binge drinking, and susceptibility to drinking. The study suggests that algorithmic amplification can normalize alcohol for subsets of young people, leading to increased drinking behaviors.