Latest News from: Research Society on Alcoholism

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24-Feb-2024 6:05 AM EST
Facilitators of Group Interventions Play a Vital Role in Reducing Drinking Among Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness
Research Society on Alcoholism

Skilled facilitators of an alcohol intervention based on motivational interviewing are key to promoting safer drinking behaviors among young adults experiencing homelessness, a new study suggests. The study is the first to examine the effects of the group process on emerging adults’ drinking outcomes using several different measures of group dynamics. Some young adults experiencing homelessness can access services at drop-in centers, but interventions must be brief and feasible in resource-stretched environments. Previous studies of AWARE, an intervention based on motivational interviewing in a four-session group format, found reductions in drinking in this vulnerable population. It is not well understood, however, which aspects of the group experience—process, structure, and clinician behavior—contribute to these outcomes. Research points to the importance of change talk (e.g., “I’m quitting for the summer”), cohesion (group bonding), climate (group engagement and mutual support), and

     
22-Feb-2024 3:05 AM EST
Experiencing a Disaster May Lead to Long-term Increases in Problem Drinking
Research Society on Alcoholism

People who experienced a disaster had a higher prevalence of problem alcohol use in the years after the disaster, and the rates of problem alcohol use increased over time. A study of nuclear power plant workers who experienced a disaster found that those who were exposed to life-threatening danger, discrimination, death of a colleague, or major property loss had an increased prevalence of problem alcohol use. However, for some, the increase in problem drinking did not occur until more than a year after the disaster. The study’s findings, recently published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, point to the prolonged impacts on people who experience disaster and the importance of providing long-term monitoring and support beyond the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

     
22-Feb-2024 3:05 AM EST
People Who Tend to Act Rashly When Upset May Anticipate Greater Positive and Negative Effects from Drinking Alcohol
Research Society on Alcoholism

People who tend to act rashly when upset may be more likely to expect alcohol to affect them—both positively and negatively—and may be more likely to want to drink to improve their mood. Mood changes, whether positive, negative, or neutral, did not alter these beliefs, according to a study of college students published in a recent issue of Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research. This study helps to inform further research on the relationship between impulsivity and alcohol misuse.

     
14-Feb-2024 7:05 AM EST
Music Exposes Listeners to Alcohol References, Potentially Influencing Drinking
Research Society on Alcoholism

At least one in four contemporary songs references alcohol, according to an analysis of multiple studies that hints at the effects of music exposure on listeners’ drinking.

     
29-Jan-2024 10:00 PM EST
Intersectional Study of Alcohol Treatment Completion Reveals Significantly Greater Disparities for Women of Color Than Examining by Race or Gender Alone
Research Society on Alcoholism

An intersectional study of alcohol treatment completion rates reveals striking disparities for racial and ethnic minoritized women when compared to White men.

     
22-Jan-2024 10:00 PM EST
Signs of Accelerated Aging Found in Brains of Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder
Research Society on Alcoholism

The brains and blood of people with a history of excessive drinking show cellular evidence of premature aging.

     
15-Jan-2024 4:05 PM EST
Many Close Relatives of People with Alcohol Use Disorder Experience Similar Cognitive Weaknesses, Manifesting as Social and Emotional Struggles
Research Society on Alcoholism

Many people with a family history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) struggle with certain cognition issues that often accompany AUD itself, even if they don’t themselves drink dangerously, according to a novel study. The findings suggest that these issues may be markers of vulnerability for the condition. A family history of AUD—having one or more first-degree relatives with the disorder—increases the risk of developing it, owing to genetic and environmental factors. Differences in cognitive functioning, especially in executive function (EF) and social cognition (SC), may predispose people to AUD and be amplified by chronic drinking. EF involves mental flexibility, inhibiting responses, and working memory, among other processes. SC facilitates social interactions through theory of mind (understanding others’ mental states), emotion recognition, and empathy. Research on healthy people with a family history of AUD has identified EF and SC differences in their neural networks, though little i

     
15-Jan-2024 9:30 PM EST
Brief Alcohol Intervention for Heavy Drinkers Led to Safer Drinking Behaviors Among Their Close Social Network Connections, in a Study of First-Year College Students
Research Society on Alcoholism

Following a brief intervention delivered to certain heavy drinkers, alcohol use and risky social ties decreased among those students’ close social connections who were also heavy drinkers, according to a novel study of first-year college students’ alcohol consumption and social networks.

     
6-Jan-2024 8:05 PM EST
Magnetic Brain Stimulation is a Promising Treatment for Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Symptoms Study Suggests
Research Society on Alcoholism

Veterans with alcohol use disorder (AUD) appear to benefit from a non-invasive technique that uses magnetism to stimulate neurons in areas of the brain linked to psychiatric disorders.

     
6-Jan-2024 7:05 PM EST
Hepatitis Linked to Alcohol Increasingly Drove Emergency Department Visits, Especially Among Younger Adults, In Recent Years
Research Society on Alcoholism

Hepatitis linked to alcohol, the most severe form of alcohol-associated liver disease, is increasingly prevalent, severe, and likely to involve emergency departments, according to a new analysis.

     
4-Jan-2024 7:05 PM EST
Can Artificial Intelligence Help Identify Patients in Need of Alcohol Treatment? Study Suggests It Can
Research Society on Alcoholism

An artificial intelligence-based program efficiently and accurately identified patients’ risky alcohol use by analyzing their health records, according to a study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.

     
3-Jan-2024 8:05 PM EST
Social Anxiety, Depression Linked to More Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences from ‘Pre-Gaming’
Research Society on Alcoholism

College students with social anxiety may be driven by social motives to ‘pre-game,’ meaning drink prior to a party or event.

     
11-Dec-2023 6:05 PM EST
Automated Insomnia Intervention Found to Improve Both Sleep and Hazardous Alcohol Use
Research Society on Alcoholism

An online treatment for insomnia may improve both sleep and problem drinking patterns in people who drink heavily, according to a study in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.

     
10-Dec-2023 5:05 AM EST
Stressors Linked to Increased Drinking College Students during COVID Pandemic, Differ by Race
Research Society on Alcoholism

College students reporting increased mental distress during the pandemic also reported greater quantity and frequency of alcohol use, and distress was linked to certain pandemic-related factors which differed by race.

     
9-Dec-2023 8:50 AM EST
Drinking During the Super Bowl Linked to More Aggressive Parenting Among Mothers, Unlike Drinking on Valentine’s Day
Research Society on Alcoholism

Alcohol use on certain special occasions may contribute to harsher parenting by mothers, according to an innovative study.

     
8-Dec-2023 9:05 AM EST
Young Adults Report Lower Alcohol Use After Learning That Drinking is Declining Among Their Peers
Research Society on Alcoholism

Learning that their peers’ alcohol use is declining over time may help reduce young adults’ drinking, according to the first study that tested this approach among community-based participants (versus college students).

     
13-Nov-2023 7:05 AM EST
Risk Factors Contributing to Alcohol Use Vary Based on Drinking Consequences Experienced
Research Society on Alcoholism

The process contributing to an individual’s alcohol consumption may be linked to the consequences that person experiences from drinking, a new study suggests.

     
11-Nov-2023 7:05 AM EST
Online Alcohol Recovery Forums Offer Multiple Types of Support, Including and Beyond Emotional Encouragement
Research Society on Alcoholism

Emotional support was the simplest and most common means of helping others in an online forum related to recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), according to a new study.

     
10-Nov-2023 8:05 AM EST
Alcohol Treatment Costs Offset by Long-Term Health Care, Societal Savings
Research Society on Alcoholism

Treating people for alcohol use disorder, even multiple times, results in long-term cost savings. When accounting for societal benefits of treatment, such as reduced crime and increased productivity, cost savings are realized in both the short- and long-term.

     
9-Nov-2023 7:05 AM EST
Video Therapy May Be as Effective as In-Person Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
Research Society on Alcoholism

Therapy by videoconference may be as effective, and in some cases more effective, than in-person treatment for alcohol use disorder. Rates of stopping drinking are similar for those who receive treatment for their alcohol use disorder via videoconference and those who receive in-person treatment.

     
13-Oct-2023 11:55 PM EDT
Recovery Checkups in Primary Care Settings Linked to Increased Substance Use Treatment and Reduced Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Patients with Complex Needs
Research Society on Alcoholism

Highly vulnerable patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) who received regular assessments after their initial intervention had substantially better outcomes a year later than those who did not receive the same follow-up, according to a new study. Fewer than one in ten people with SUD receive any form of treatment in a given year; among those who do, relapse and treatment reentry are common. A Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol is intended to facilitate treatment referrals, especially among patients with more severe SUDs, but research has shown it to be relatively ineffective in that regard. Adding a Recovery Management Checkup (RMC) intervention can improve treatment rates; RMC conceptualizes AUD and SUD as chronic conditions requiring longer-term monitoring via regular check-ins, early re-intervention in cases of relapse, and treatment retention strategies. For the study in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Resear

     
13-Oct-2023 7:05 AM EDT
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder Improves Quality of Life in Men and Women Aged 60+, Study Finds
Research Society on Alcoholism

Adults aged 60 and older reported better overall health and quality of life after treatment for their alcohol use disorder, according to a new study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.

     
12-Oct-2023 7:05 AM EDT
Want a Larger Brain? Drink Less. Brain Imaging Study Finds Both Cutting Down and Quitting Drinking Linked to Healthier Brains
Research Society on Alcoholism

The brains of people who reduce their drinking, as well as of people who quit drinking entirely, have greater volume in certain regions than people who drink more heavily, according to a new study of adults treated for alcohol use disorder.

     
5-Oct-2023 6:05 AM EDT
SMART Recovery Meetings for Alcohol Recovery Appeal to People with More Social and Economic Stability and Lower Spiritual Leanings, Compared to Alcoholics Anonymous
Research Society on Alcoholism

Certain characteristics of people seeking remission from alcohol use disorder (AUD) are linked to their choice of recovery meeting, a new study suggests. Informal peer recovery groups—mutual-help organizations—play a crucial role for many individuals with AUD or other drug disorders. Such groups are proliferating and differ substantially in approach.

   
17-Sep-2023 7:05 AM EDT
Certain State Laws Aimed at Limiting Alcohol Use in General Population Associated with Lower Alcohol Consumption by Women of Reproductive Age
Research Society on Alcoholism

Women aged 18 to 44 living in states that outlaw Sunday liquor sales or driving with a blood alcohol concentration greater than .08 drink less than their counterparts in other states, according to a new study recently published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.

     
15-Sep-2023 7:05 AM EDT
U.S. States Maintain Outdated Laws That Create Barriers to Screening and Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Research Society on Alcoholism

Eighteen U.S. states have laws that allow insurance companies to deny health care payments to treat people who were intoxicated when they sustained an injury, despite evidence showing that these laws prevent people from receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder and shift costs from insurance companies to the health care system, the government, individuals and families.

     
15-Sep-2023 7:05 AM EDT
Young Adults’ Simultaneous Use of Alcohol and Marijuana Linked to More Drinking, More Negative Alcohol Consequences, and More Hours High
Research Society on Alcoholism

Up to one in four young adults use alcohol and marijuana simultaneously (i.e., use at the same time with overlapping effects), a behavior linked to a greater risk of adverse consequences. Given the expanding legalization of non-medical marijuana use, there is an urgent need to better understand the effects of simultaneous use and who is most vulnerable to adverse outcomes.

     
14-Sep-2023 8:05 AM EDT
Shared Genetic Factors Influence Risk for Both Disordered Eating and Alcohol Use in Late Adolescence
Research Society on Alcoholism

Certain genetic influences contribute to disordered eating and problematic alcohol use, leaving some people vulnerable to both conditions, according to a large study of late adolescent twins. Previous research has found concurrent eating disorders and risky drinking in younger teens amplify the chance of worse outcomes, including death.

     
11-Aug-2023 8:25 AM EDT
Greater Enjoyment, Not Greater Tolerance, May Motivate Heavy Drinking among High-Risk Drinkers
Research Society on Alcoholism

People who drink heavily experience heightened pleasurable effects throughout a drinking episode, which may be what motivates them to continue drinking, and not, as is commonly believed, that they require more alcohol in order to experience these effects.

   
10-Aug-2023 8:05 AM EDT
People with Severe Alcohol Use Disorder Have Impaired Ability to Learn From Others' Painful Experiences, Raising Their Risk for Ongoing Dangerous Drinking, Study Suggests
Research Society on Alcoholism

People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are less able to learn from others' negative experiences, potentially rendering them more vulnerable to maintaining their dangerous drinking or relapsing, according to the first study of its type. The study explored social cognition, processes that enable us to understand and interact with others, and specifically social learning, our ability to learn by observing others' experiences.

   
9-Aug-2023 8:40 AM EDT
Brain Imaging May Predict Motivation for Behavior Change in Alcohol Use Disorder
Research Society on Alcoholism

Brain imaging of neuron activity in certain areas of the brain may predict whether an individual is likely to successfully respond to interventions to reduce their drinking. In a study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, individuals whose baseline imaging showed decreased activity in areas of the brain associated with reward processing and impulsivity and increased activity in regions responsible for complex cognitive processes and emotional regulation were more likely to reduce their drinking following an intervention.

   
26-Jul-2023 8:00 AM EDT
Hazardous Drinking in Young Adults: Personal Characteristics Can Help Identify Effective Interventions
Research Society on Alcoholism

Young adults whose drinking lands them in the emergency room respond differently to different interventions to reduce their hazardous drinking, and those differences may be driven by certain personal characteristics.

   
10-Jul-2023 8:10 AM EDT
Many Hazardous Drinkers Reduce Their Alcohol Use Before Entering Treatment, Predicting Positive Outcomes and Suggesting Alcohol Treatment Should Be Reconceptualized
Research Society on Alcoholism

People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) commonly cut back on drinking in the weeks before entering treatment, a new study has affirmed. Further, this self-driven “pretreatment change” is linked to better outcomes up to one year following treatment.

   
7-Jul-2023 8:20 AM EDT
Web and Smartphone Apps Providing Personalized Feedback Can Help Hazardous Drinkers Substantially Reduce Their Alcohol Consumption Over Eight Weeks
Research Society on Alcoholism

Brief electronic intervention providing personalized feedback can help hazardous drinkers substantially reduce their drinking, according to a new study in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research.

     
6-Jul-2023 8:30 AM EDT
Alcohol Use, Even at Low Levels, Increases Risk of Developing Disease
Research Society on Alcoholism

Even low levels of alcohol use can increase the likelihood of developing diseases like cancer and heart disease. A systematic review of studies of the relationship between alcohol use and risk of disease published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that disease risk increases as alcohol use increases and high levels of alcohol use have clear detrimental health effects. While lower-level alcohol use can be protective against certain diseases, it can have significant adverse health effects for many other diseases. The authors urge greater awareness that any level of alcohol use can increase a person’s risk of developing serious, even fatal, diseases.

5-Jul-2023 5:45 AM EDT
Medicaid Expansion Associated with Increased, But Not High Quality, Screening for Alcohol Use
Research Society on Alcoholism

People living in states with expanded Medicaid access were more likely to be screened by their doctor for alcohol use compared to people who lived in states that did not expand Medicaid access, but they did not necessarily receive effective interventions. A study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that living in a state with expanded Medicaid access was associated with a higher prevalence of lower-income adults’ receiving some alcohol screening at a recent checkup but not receiving higher quality screening or brief counseling. The authors suggest that expanded Medicaid access may increase screening via increased access to primary care but that policies that target healthcare provider constraints are also needed to increase high-quality, evidence-based screening and counseling around alcohol use.

   
2-Jun-2023 7:30 PM EDT
Emailed boosters after online interventions can help college and university students cut back on excessive drinking
Research Society on Alcoholism

Alcohol consumption is known to be pervasive and problematic among college and university student populations. New research has found that while online interventions alone can effectively help a typical student cut back on excessive drinking, emailed boosters after online interventions may be needed for heavier drinking students. These results and others will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 7:40 PM EDT
Concurrent use of alcohol and cannabis leads to higher levels of drinking in the longer term
Research Society on Alcoholism

Co-existing use of alcohol and cannabis can lead to negative outcomes such as the development of a substance-use disorder, poor academic and occupational performance, and psychiatric disorders when compared to use of either drug alone. New research that examines simultaneous alcohol/cannabis use has found higher levels of drinking after 18 months. These results and others will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 6:45 PM EDT
Parental provision of alcohol to adolescent children and peer influence linked to subsequent alcohol harms
Research Society on Alcoholism

Parental supply of alcohol is a relatively common practice in Australia, believed by some parents to be an effective means of teaching their children to drink responsibly. New research shows that family and peer factors each play a role in the development of excessive and risky drinking in early adulthood and associated harms. These results and others will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 7:10 PM EDT
People with disabilities who have alcohol problems need more treatment and recovery options
Research Society on Alcoholism

One in four Americans live with a disability, which is associated with stigma and disparities in health care. New research examined differences in alcohol use by disability status and types of disability, and found a need for a range of accommodations in alcohol treatment and recovery services – including technology-based options. These results and others will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 7:20 PM EDT
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated alcohol home delivery, increasing alcohol consumption
Research Society on Alcoholism

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states expanded online alcohol sales and alcohol home delivery laws. One of the first U.S. studies of the impact on adults of home delivery of alcohol during the early months of the pandemic found significantly more alcohol consumption and binge drinking among those who obtained their alcohol through home delivery than those who did not. These results and others will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 6:40 PM EDT
Adolescents in substance-abuse treatment who develop empathy greatly reduce their use over time
Research Society on Alcoholism

Experiencing and sharing emotions is a fundamental human experience. Empathy is the ability to understand another’s perspective and share their emotions. Recent research has found that empathy can help adolescents reduce their substance use. These results will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 7:35 PM EDT
Emerging adults who experience pain and related anxiety may engage in high-risk drinking
Research Society on Alcoholism

Emerging adults – those aged 18 to 24 years –who experience pain are more likely to engage in high-risk patterns of alcohol use such as binge drinking. Anxiety caused by pain may be what motivates unhealthy coping strategies such as excessive drinking as a form of escape/avoidance. These results and others will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 6:30 PM EDT
Racial discrimination contributes to increases in alcohol craving to cope with racial stress
Research Society on Alcoholism

Alcohol craving is associated with relapse following alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment. A new study is the first to examine how distinct experiences of interpersonal racial discrimination contribute to elevated alcohol craving. Findings will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 6:35 PM EDT
Older consumers of alcohol have a greater vulnerability to accelerated brain aging
Research Society on Alcoholism

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder marked by neuropsychological deficits and neurocircuitry brain damage that can lead to serious negative consequences for family, work, and personal well-being. Researchers will share their published findings on the adverse effects of AUD on the brain and its interaction with aging and postural instability at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
2-Jun-2023 7:05 PM EDT
Differences in alcohol metabolism play a role in the severity of alcohol hangovers
Research Society on Alcoholism

Hangovers are common among people who drink alcohol. Previous research showing that a hangover’s combination of both mental and physical misery can occur after a single episode of alcohol consumption also revealed that a rapid breakdown of alcohol into acetaldehyde is associated with less severe hangovers. Findings from an investigation of the metabolic influence of oral microbiota on hangover severity will be shared at the 46th annual scientific meeting of the Research Society on Alcohol (RSA) in Bellevue, Washington.

   
16-Jun-2023 6:05 AM EDT
Intoxicated Teenage Rats Wearing “Fitbits” Experience Sleep Disturbance Long After Withdrawing from Alcohol, Underlining Ongoing Struggles for Humans who Drink Heavily in Adolescence
Research Society on Alcoholism

Adolescent rats exposed to alcohol vapor experience persistent sleep disruption after withdrawal, as measured by Fitbit-like tracking devices, a new study has shown. The findings, published in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research, provide insight into the relationship between sleep disturbance and heavy drinking in humans. Although adolescents and young adults may be particularly affected by sleep disturbances associated with drinking, little is known about that connection or its mechanisms. Plausibly, the link between disrupted circadian rhythm and substance use may operate in both directions; for example, irregular sleep cycles, including daytime sleepiness, have been implicated in teen substance use. Daytime sleepiness and disrupted activity in humans can be measured using wearable tracking devices, complementing EEG metrics taken at night.

   
15-Jun-2023 7:00 AM EDT
Do People Who Drink Heavily Have a Higher Tolerance for Alcohol? It Depends, Study Finds
Research Society on Alcoholism

People who have a pattern of heavy drinking showed less impairment than light drinkers after drinking similar amounts of alcohol — yet this difference depends largely on how much time has elapsed after drinking and may only be evident at moderate intoxication. A study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that people who exceed drinking an amount of alcohol that is typical for them showed substantial impairment. And, when heavy drinkers and lighter drinkers were similarly impaired, the heavy drinkers perceived themselves to be less impaired, which may lead to risky decisions.

   
13-Jun-2023 6:05 AM EDT
Changes in Alcohol Consumption Associated with Changes in Depression Symptoms
Research Society on Alcoholism

Changes in alcohol consumption tend to accompany changes in symptoms of depression, according to a study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.

   
8-Jun-2023 7:05 AM EDT
Pandemic Alcohol Use Linked to Nervous System Disruption in Pregnant and Postpartum Women, Hinting at Novel Clinical Biomarker and Intervention Potential
Research Society on Alcoholism

Increased alcohol use among pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with autonomic nervous system dysregulation, known to negatively affect resilience to change and further exacerbate the risk of stress-related mental health disorders and substance use, a new study suggests. The findings, although preliminary, underline the potential for a new clinical biomarker and novel personalized mobile health apps in facilitating treatment interventions. Previous research linked the pandemic to increased stress levels and drinking, including in pregnant and postpartum women. Alcohol use, and stress-related conditions such as depression and anxiety, are associated with dysregulation in the feedback loop between the body and the brain. This process involves the peripheral autonomic nervous system, which regulates the heartbeat. Healthy, resilient people tend to have higher heart rate variability than people with stress and substance use disorders. Heart rate variab

   


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