Articles tagged with Alcohol Abuse
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that adults with a parent who abused alcohol are 85% more likely to attempt suicide. Having divorced parents also increases the risk of suicide attempts by 14%. However, combining divorce and parental alcohol abuse does not increase suicide risk.
A study found that pro-inflammatory molecules were strongly associated with increased mortality in alcohol-abusing HIV patients. IL-6 was identified as the molecule most closely linked to mortality, regardless of antiretroviral therapy use. This research may inform strategies to improve mortality rates among this vulnerable population.
Researchers found that weekend drinking leads to double the oxidative damage compared to non-drinkers, with DNA damage affecting 44% of cells in drinker group. The study reveals a new potential health risk associated with young people's alcohol consumption.
Liver transplant recipients who receive substance abuse treatment before and after transplantation have lower alcohol relapse rates than those untreated or only treated prior to transplantation. Continued alcohol abuse post-transplantation also decreases graft survival and increases organ scarring.
A study in rats reveals that nicotine exposure temporarily changes the brain's response to alcohol, increasing its reinforcing properties through stress hormones. This finding highlights the mechanisms underlying the link between smoking and alcohol abuse, providing a foundation for developing strategies to mitigate this risk.
A study of college students found that female drinkers exceeded national guidelines for weekly drinking, putting them at increased risk for long-term health issues. Weekly drinking limits are lower for women due to differences in alcohol metabolism and blood volume.
A study will determine if a two-question screener accurately identifies underage drinking issues among children and teenagers. The researchers aim to assess the screener's effectiveness across different factors such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family structure.
A University of Iowa-led study found that adolescents whose best friends drink alcohol are twice as likely to have a first drink and three times as likely to begin drinking themselves. The study aims to help specialists predict when adolescents are likely to first consume alcohol to prevent problem drinking.
A new study by the American Psychological Association found that about half of addiction counselors in the US now find moderate drug use acceptable as an intermediate goal, while one-third consider it acceptable as a final goal. However, for clients with severe dependence, limits on consumption are still widely rejected.
A recent study found that symptoms of alcohol abuse, rather than dependence, are a better predictor of familial risk for alcohol use disorders. The researchers analyzed the clinical features of 1,120 twins and found that AUD-associated legal problems were the most consistent single predictor of familial risk.
Research using mice reveals heavy alcohol use rewires brain circuitry, making it harder for alcoholics to recover psychologically following a traumatic experience. The study found that chronic exposure to alcohol impairs the ability to control emotional responses, putting people at greater risk for PTSD.
A study found that bariatric surgery, especially Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, increases the risk of alcohol use disorders (AUD) in patients. The prevalence of AUD symptoms was higher in the second postoperative year compared to before and after surgery.
Researchers found that soldiers experiencing depression and/or PTSD during or after deployment were most likely to develop new onset alcohol abuse. The study suggests that self-medication with alcohol may be a coping mechanism for these individuals.
Researchers identified two groups of college students who drank at fairly high levels, with one group showing higher levels of impulsivity and aggression. These individuals are at a higher risk for developing future alcohol problems.
A new study by University of Miami researchers found that binge drinking increases with rising state-level unemployment rates, affecting all population subgroups. Additionally, employed individuals are more likely to experience problematic drinking due to psychological factors like job insecurity.
A study by University of Nottingham researchers found that female drink-driving offenders are more likely to be older, better-educated, and separated or divorced. Rehabilitation programmes for women can intensify feelings of guilt and shame, leading to reoffending.
Victims of severe elder abuse show higher rates of physical harm, mental illness, and substance abuse compared to non-abused individuals. The study found that 29% of abuse victims tested positive for alcohol, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue.
Researchers found that patients with alcohol abuse history experienced less improvement in physical quality of life and greater pain and physical limitations after transplant surgery. However, their mental health quality improved significantly between baseline and one-month follow-up.
New research finds that adolescents with a family history of alcohol abuse demonstrate decreased neural activity in the frontal lobe, suggesting a subtle vulnerability to future alcoholism. This study suggests that youth with familial alcoholism may have a less mature frontal system, making it harder to manage real-life situations.
A study from Michigan Medicine and Saint Louis University found that 14.7% of people with alcohol-related problems used clergy services, highlighting their role in overall system of care. Factors associated with increased likelihood of using clergy services include being Black, aged 35-54 years, and major depressive disorder.
A new study suggests that exercise can reduce alcohol intake in humans by stimulating brain reward pathways and regulating circadian rhythms. Exercise may provide a beneficial alternative to reducing alcohol consumption, with the 'lazier' hamsters having a greater craving for alcohol when restricted from exercising.
A study found that alcohol abuse elevated specific genes in the nucleus accumbens, while nicotine blunted this effect. The research also identified a set of genes crucial for cell structure regulation, which were altered by both alcohol and nicotine abuse.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified a set of 17 proteins in the blood that accurately predict alcohol usage 90% of the time. These proteins can distinguish between excessive and responsible drinking levels, offering a potential diagnostic test for alcohol consumption.
A new study found that smoking, but not past alcohol abuse, may impair mental function in women. Women who had ever been addicted to smoking scored lower on cognitive tests than their nonsmoking counterparts.
Researchers discovered a molecule called Alda-1 that activates the defective enzyme, restoring its ability to metabolize acetaldehyde. The findings suggest a possible treatment for individuals with the enzyme defect, which affects approximately 40% of East Asian populations.
A study by Ohio State University found that older adults with alcohol dependence problems drink significantly more than their younger counterparts. On average, those over 60 have 40 or more drinks per week, compared to 25-35 drinks for younger age groups with similar problems.
A study at Boston University School of Medicine found that brief intervention improved outcomes for medical inpatients with non-dependent, unhealthy alcohol use, including reduced drinks per day and better physical health-related quality of life. However, the intervention had little effect on those with dependence, who experienced wors...
A single-screening question from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) accurately identifies unhealthy alcohol use in primary-care patients, with high sensitivity and specificity rates.
A statistical modeling study found that alcohol abuse may lead to an increased risk of depression, rather than the reverse. The study used data from a 25-year study of health and development in New Zealand, finding that individuals with alcohol problems were 1.9 times more likely to also have major depression.
Alcohol can damage or kill neurons, altering adolescent brain development. Research suggests that teens are more likely to make bad decisions, develop tolerance, take risks, harm memories and interact poorly with medications when drinking alcohol.
A new study found that individuals who start drinking before age 15 are more likely to develop alcohol-use disorders (AUDs) in adulthood. The research, published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, controlled for various individual risk factors and found that early drinking is associated with increased AUD risk.
Middle schoolers are increasingly exposed to alcohol use due to peer pressure and social events. Parents can take proactive steps to prevent early drinking by having open conversations with their children about the risks of alcohol abuse.
A new study found that microRNA may influence the development of alcohol tolerance by regulating gene expression in brain cells. MicroRNA-9 was shown to block the expression of certain BK channel variants, which exhibited high alcohol sensitivity and low tolerance.
Researchers are surveying 1,500 Mexican-American males living on the U.S.-Mexico border to examine their alcohol consumption and behavior. The study aims to understand how acculturation, religious affiliation, cultural influences, and cost affect drinking habits in this population.
A new report by CAMH estimates that implementing six interventions would result in cost savings of about $1 billion per year, saving close to 26,000 years of life lost due to premature death. Brief interventions were the most effective measure to avoid other alcohol-attributable criminal activities.
A study confirms that bipolar adolescents face a significant risk of smoking and substance abuse, with rates of 34% in the bipolar group compared to 4% in controls. Early preventive measures and screening are essential for this high-risk population.
A new NIH study identifies high incidence rates of substance use disorders and major mood and anxiety disorders in the US population. The study found that age is a critical general risk factor for first onset DSM-IV substance use, mood, and anxiety disorders.
Researchers found that mice treated with rimonabant, a cannabinoid receptor blocker, developed resistant livers to alcohol's fat-building effects. This discovery suggests that treating fatty liver with CB1 antagonists may slow its progression and prevent severe liver disease.
A recent study found that chronic alcohol consumption by lung donors promotes scarring and airway injury after transplantation. The research, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, raises questions about human lung donors with a history of alcohol abuse.
A pilot program at the University of Cincinnati has shown promising results in curbing alcohol abuse among college students who turn to drinking to cope with social anxiety. The program uses motivational interviewing and behavioral therapy to help students manage their anxiety and reduce hazardous drinking behaviors.
New research highlights racial disparities in alcohol treatment completion, with African Americans and Hispanics facing lower enrollment rates in residential programs. Increasing access to intensive services may help reduce these disparities.
A recent study found that approximately 30% of Americans experience some form of alcohol use disorder, leading to significant impairment and distress. The study also revealed that disability levels increase steadily as dependence becomes more severe, with males and younger adults being disproportionately affected.
A 2001-2002 survey found that over 30% of US adults met criteria for an alcohol use disorder, with a significant gap in treatment uptake. The study's findings highlight the importance of identifying and addressing AUDs early in their course to prevent personal disability and societal damage.
A new study identifies five distinct subtypes of alcoholism, including a young adult subtype characterized by low rates of co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. The functional subtype is defined by well-educated individuals with stable jobs and families.
According to the study, approximately 10.3% of U.S. adults have problems with drug use or abuse, with 2.6% becoming drug-dependent at some point. The results highlight the need for education and prevention efforts to address these widespread issues.
A new study reveals that female alcoholics experience both physiological and cognitive declines from alcohol use sooner and with less consumption than men. Women are at risk of developing cognitive problems more rapidly than men, with deficits in executive functioning having a more pervasive effect on daily life.
A genetic variant of a brain receptor increases the stimulating effects of early alcohol exposure and boosts alcohol consumption. Monkeys with this gene showed enhanced pleasurable effects from alcohol, consuming more and becoming intoxicated more frequently than others.
Researchers found that chronic alcohol abuse disrupts the protective barrier in the lungs, making it harder for the body to handle fluid accumulation. This can lead to serious illnesses like pneumonia and ARDS.
A new study found that individuals who become alcohol dependent before age 25 are less likely to seek treatment, experience more frequent and longer-lasting episodes, and meet more dependence diagnostic criteria. Researchers call for increased prevention and treatment efforts for this vulnerable population.
A new study suggests that higher levels of dopamine D2 receptors may provide a protective effect for those most at risk of developing alcoholism. The research found that these receptors, involved in emotional reactions and cognitive control, are elevated in the brains of participants with a family history of alcoholism.
Data from a survey of 43,000 U.S. adults suggest that early alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of developing future alcohol problems, including dependence and relapse.
A study found that a brief intervention reduced symptoms of depression by 20% in college students, with feelings of hopelessness dropping 31%. The low-cost treatment, delivered through mail, has shown promise as a potential solution for the growing problem of depression among young adults.
A study published in Chest Journal found that alcohol abuse increases the risk of pneumonia, with decreased immune system activity being a key factor. The consequences of this study could have a significant impact on a high number of people, particularly in Spain where alcohol is a major cause of death.
According to the study, underage drinkers and pathological drinkers collectively spent at least $48.3 billion on alcohol in 2001, accounting for nearly one-third of total consumer expenditures. The majority of adult drinkers who developed abuse or dependence began drinking before age 21.
A study found that American Indians with alcohol abuse or dependence have significantly higher rates of medical conditions, including sprains, hearing problems, and kidney issues. The researchers also noted that the total count of medical conditions is related to the severity of alcohol use.
Recovering alcoholics who smoked showed significantly less improvement in brain function and neurochemical markers of brain cell health compared to those who didn't smoke. Quitting smoking may be beneficial for better brain recovery from alcoholism, suggests a study.
The NESARC study found that nearly half of those with major depressive disorder (MDD) wanted to die or considered suicide, while also experiencing substance abuse disorders. MDD prevalence varies by age, ethnicity, and comorbidities, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions.
The study found that mice with normal and intermediate levels of CB1 receptors drank significantly less alcohol compared to their pre-treatment levels after being treated with a drug known to block CB1 receptors. The results also showed that mice with no CB1 receptors showed no change in drinking in response to the treatment.
A new study from the Mayo Clinic found that smokers with a history of alcoholism can quit smoking using customized nicotine replacement therapy. The study, which adjusted nicotine patch dosages based on serum cotinine levels, resulted in a tobacco abstinence rate of 51 percent.
Acetaldehyde's interaction with polyamines may explain the link between alcohol and certain cancers. Researchers found that polyamines can stimulate the conversion of acetaldehyde into a mutagenic DNA base, increasing cancer risk.