Articles tagged with Alcohol Abuse
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released new clinical guidelines that recommend against extensive preprocedural testing to estimate clotting in patients with cirrhosis. This change aims to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with unnecessary blood clotting tests.
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.
Overdose deaths involving cocaine or methamphetamine increased triply in the shadow of the opioid epidemic. Most fatal overdoses (70%) involved multiple substances, with most being opioids and stimulants. The study highlights disparities in overdose risk from stimulants among Black veterans and rural residents.
A systematic review found that brief alcohol-targeted interventions delivered in doctors' offices reduce drinking by small but useful amounts. The study analyzed data from 116 trials involving 64,439 participants and found a reduction of approximately one drinking day per month.
Men with a history of alcohol charges have more than twice the risk of suicide when purchasing handguns, according to new research. The study also found that recent and repeat alcohol charges were associated with the greatest risk of suicide, suggesting that reducing firearm access or addressing alcohol use could help mitigate this risk.
Researchers at Georgia State University have been awarded a $3.3 million grant to study a novel behavioral intervention targeting binge drinking and sexual assault among college students, tailored by gender and sexual orientation. The program, Positive Change (+Change), has shown promising preliminary efficacy in pilot studies and aims...
A recent study from the University of Georgia found that college students who misuse stimulant drugs are also likely to engage in heavy drinking and marijuana use. The research suggests a strong behavioral link among polysubstance users, highlighting the need for universities to be aware of the additive health effects of these behaviors.
Research in mice reveals that drug withdrawal alters brain activity patterns, causing increased functional connectivity and decreased modularity. This universal effect may be a common trait among different types of addictive drugs.
A study by UCSF researchers found that emergency department visits and hospitalizations made by patients with addictions increased by 30% and 57%, respectively, between 2014-2018. The authors highlight the urgent need for hospitals to develop systems of hospital-based interventions to provide addiction treatment.
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.
A study by Georgia State University researchers found a significant increase in physical and psychological aggression among couples during the pandemic. Rates of aggression rose sharply after shelter-in-place restrictions were implemented, with non-heavy drinkers being disproportionately affected.
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.
Researchers have developed a dual-drug therapy for alcohol use disorder by targeting the mTORC1 enzyme. Blocking this enzyme can halt cravings in mice engineered to have AUD, offering a promising alternative to current treatment options.
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.
Scientists identified changes in the brain that drive alcohol abuse among people with PTSD, highlighting sex-specific differences that could lead to targeted treatments. Researchers found that males and females exhibit different symptoms and brain features of PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
Research shows that patients under 54 hospitalized for arrhythmia who also abuse alcohol are 72% more likely to die before discharge. The study highlights the need for integrated care models to address problematic alcohol use and improve patient outcomes.
A UBC study analyzed survey data from 13,611 adults in the US to identify social and behavioral factors closely linked to mortality. The top 10 factors included smoking, divorce, alcohol abuse, recent financial difficulties, and history of unemployment.
A study by HSE researchers reveals that alcohol-related mortality hot spots exist in regions such as north-western Russia, Belarus, south-eastern Lithuania, and eastern Poland. The study also found that standardized mortality ratios across the four countries indicate a mosaic of homogeneous and heterogeneous regions.
A West Virginia University researcher is studying the connection between caffeine consumption, sleep deprivation, and alcohol use among middle school students. The study aims to identify factors that increase the risk of substance use initiation, with potential preventive measures such as curbing energy drink consumption.
Researchers have discovered that the prefrontal cortex directly encodes the intention to consume alcohol, but this ability is blunted in rats with a family history of excessive drinking. This finding suggests that restoring prefrontal cortex activity could be a new strategy for treating alcohol use disorders.
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.
Heavy drinking during adolescence reduces brain growth in male and female rhesus monkeys, affecting white matter and thalamus development. Research supports potential link to problematic drinking later in life.
A new study found that losing one night of sleep led to an increase in beta-amyloid, a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study also showed that participants with larger increases in beta-amyloid reported worse mood after sleep deprivation.
A new study of over 6,000 first-graders across four US communities has found a significant number of children have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), with conservative rates ranging from 1 to 5 percent. FASD is an umbrella term for health effects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
A new study found that cooperative learning significantly reduced students' association with deviant peers and growth in alcohol use among middle schoolers. By increasing students' contacts with prosocial youths, cooperative learning helps interrupt the tendency for socially marginalized students to cluster into groups of deviant peers.
A study found that lithium chloride prevents brain damage caused by fetal alcohol exposure in mice, reducing sleep disturbances and memory loss. The drug was given to newborn mice after a single dose of 'binge' alcohol, eliminating hyperactivity and sleep deficits.
Research suggests that traumatic brain injuries in childhood and adolescence can increase the risk of alcohol abuse problems in adulthood. The study found a clearer link between brain injury and alcohol abuse in people who suffered an injury before age 5, with children under 5 being over 3.6 times more likely to exhibit substance abuse...
A study found that brain receptors involved in addiction adapt to chronic drinking by reducing their bioavailability, but return to normal after detoxification. This can serve as a predictor of long-term sobriety success.
Researchers are exploring whether two over-the-counter medications can diminish alcohol abuse in diagnosed bipolar patients. A five-year clinical trial is currently underway to assess the effectiveness of citicoline and pregnenolone in treating alcohol-use disorders in people with bipolar disorder.
A survey of over 422,000 college freshmen found that transgender students were more likely to experience negative consequences from drinking, including memory blackouts, academic problems and conflicts. Transgender students were also more likely to cite stress reduction or relationship troubles as motivation for drinking.
Researchers at Washington State University found that offering prizes can be an effective, low-cost treatment for alcohol abuse among individuals with serious mental illness, reducing tobacco and drug use. The study's findings could expand treatment options for millions of Americans, particularly those from native populations.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that alcohol abuse increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack and congestive heart failure, similar to other well-established risk factors. The researchers analyzed data from California residents with ambulatory surgery or emergency care and found...
A telephone-based intervention has shown promising results in combating alcohol abuse among active-duty military members. Participants reduced their drinking rates and were more likely to seek treatment after a one-hour personalized intervention session.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have found a significant link between discrimination and heavy drinking among minority groups. The study, published in Social Science & Medicine, analyzed 97 peer-reviewed studies that showed a clear connection between racism, sexism, and homophobia and increased alcohol abuse.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that medical students are more prone to alcohol abuse, with one-third experiencing clinical problems. The causes include burnout, being young and unmarried, and substantial educational debt. The authors recommend wellness curricula for medical schools to address these issues.
A new FAU study found that adolescents who started dating became more similar to their romantic partners than to their friends on measures of alcohol abuse. Similarity between friend reports of alcohol abuse declined after one or both of the adolescents became involved in a romantic relationship.
A recent study found that alcohol abuse is associated with a 70% increased risk of developing congestive heart failure among adults, particularly those under 60 years old and without high blood pressure. The study analyzed over 858,000 patients from California healthcare databases between 2005-2009.
A large-scale survey found that African-Americans who did not exercise frequently had nearly twice the odds of abusing alcohol. Regular physical activity was associated with lower odds of alcohol misuse, suggesting a potential link between exercise and decreased risk.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that early maturing girls who receive inadequate parental supervision are more likely to develop problem drinking behaviors. The study revealed a significant association between parental autonomy granting and increased alcohol abuse among early maturing girls.
The NIH has released CollegeAIM, a matrix-based tool to compare and rate nearly 60 types of college alcohol interventions. The tool helps inform college staff about evidence-based interventions, with the goal of improving student health and safety.
Researchers found that women in polygamous marriages were 1.3-2 times more likely to experience physical violence than those in monogamous marriages. Additionally, women with alcoholic husbands faced a higher risk of physical abuse, particularly in Ghana and Malawi.
A brief motivational intervention at an emergency department did not improve outcomes for women involved in abusive relationships and heavy drinking. The study found no significant differences between the intervention group and the control group on weekly assessments for experiencing IPV or heavy drinking.
A study of over 5,700 young Swiss men found that stricter alcohol laws, such as minimum legal drinking age and advertising restrictions, lead to lower rates of hazardous drinking. However, these measures had limited impact on individuals with a high risk of substance abuse due to their personality or antisocial behavior.
A new study reveals that a mother's fat-rich diet during pregnancy increases her offspring's risk of combined alcohol and nicotine abuse in adolescence. The research found that rats exposed to a high-fat diet in utero were more likely to develop a greater vulnerability to excessive drug-seeking behavior.
A recent study found that 29.1% of US adults have lifetime alcohol use disorder, with 12-month prevalence at 13.9%, and only 19.8% seeking treatment or help. The study highlights the need to educate the public and policy makers about AUD and its treatments.
A new study led by Amelia E. Talley found that non-heterosexual women with a disconnect between their identity and attractions may experience higher rates of hazardous drinking. Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that this internal conflict can lead to self-medicating through alcohol use.
A Loyola University Medical Center study found that lung transplant patients who receive lungs from heavy drinkers are nearly nine times more likely to experience primary graft dysfunction, a life-threatening complication. These transplants also displayed poorer gas-exchange and longer ventilator stays.
A study led by Dr. Majid Afshar found that binge drinking in young adults significantly disrupts the immune system, leading to increased risk of falls and traumatic injuries. The study showed that blood samples taken after peak intoxication revealed higher levels of white blood cells and proteins signaling an active immune response.
A UC San Francisco research team found that a specific microRNA, miR-30a-5p, plays a central role in the development of alcohol addiction by lowering levels of protective protein BDNF. Increasing miR-30a-5p levels in the brain region mPFC reduced BDNF and led to excessive drinking behavior.
A Michigan State University study finds that annual incidence rates of alcohol use disorders vary significantly among different Hispanic subgroups, including Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban-Americans. The research highlights the importance of developing culturally specific preventive measures to address these disparities.
The SUNY Research Foundation has been awarded a five-year, $8.2 million grant to support the Developmental Exposure Alcohol Research Center (DEARC) at Binghamton University. The center will focus on understanding the effects of prenatal and adolescent alcohol exposure on brain development.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that returning National Guard soldiers are more likely to develop a drinking problem if faced with civilian life setbacks. The study highlights the important role civilian life and stress play in cases of alcohol use disorder among National Guard soldiers.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that nearly 14% of reserve soldiers returning from deployment experience alcohol abuse, almost double the civilian population rate. The study highlights the important role civilian life and stress play in cases of alcohol use disorder among National Guard members.
A study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry indicates that middle-aged adults with a history of problem drinking are more than twice as likely to suffer from severe memory impairment in later life. The research highlights the link between harmful patterns of alcohol consumption and problems with memory, which may ...
Research suggests that individuals with military service are more likely to experience severe adult health consequences such as PTSD, substance use, and attempted suicide. Men with military service had a significantly higher prevalence of ACEs than non-military peers, particularly in categories related to sexual abuse.
A study found that fish oil compound protected against inflammation and neuronal cell death in brain cells exposed to high levels of alcohol. The findings suggest limited amounts of alcohol may make brain cells more fit, reducing the risk of neurodegeneration and dementia.
A study of Finnish twins found that adolescent drinking problems were strongly associated with adverse outcomes in early adulthood, including substance abuse, poor health, and relationship problems. The researchers controlled for genetic and environmental factors to isolate the causal effect of adolescent drinking on adult outcomes.
A joint research team has identified alterations in neuronal structure and protein changes in the prefrontal cortex of brains affected by alcohol abuse. The study found reduced levels of α- and β-tubulin and β II spectrin proteins, affecting neuronal organization and functioning.
Researchers found that killing experiences may cause soldiers to become more aware of their own mortality, triggering a focus on self-preservation and reduced high-risk alcohol consumption. The study suggests that this increased sense of vulnerability leads to decreased alcohol abuse rates among soldiers who have killed in combat.