Breath Alcohol Concentrations of Designated Drivers

This study established breath alcohol concentrations (BrACs) and alcohol-related behaviors of designated drivers (DDs) to determine (a) whether DDs are abstaining from drinking, (b) whether alcohol-related behaviors of non-DDs and DDs were different, and (c) whether the alcohol consumption of DDs resulted in BrAC levels that affected driving performance or caused psychomotor impairment.

We conducted six anonymous field studies during a 3-month period in a southeastern college community restaurant and bar district. Intercept interviews were conducted with 1,071 bar patrons. Alcohol-related behaviors, BrAC, and whether one was serving as a DD were measured. The sample was primarily White (72.7%), male (62.4%) college students (64.7%). Descriptive statistics and an independent sample t test compared the BrACs of DDs versus non-DDs. A one-way analysis of variance examined the differences in the alcohol-related behaviors (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–consumption [AUDIT-C] score) across DDs abstaining from drinking (BrAC = .00 g/210 L), drinking DDs (BrACs ≥ .02 and < .05 g/210 L), and impaired DDs (BrACs ≥ .05 g/210 L). A logistic regression assessed the impact of alcohol-related behaviors (AUDIT-C) on whether one was serving as a DD.

Of the 165 DDs, approximately 40% did not abstain from drinking. Approximately 17% of DDs had BrACs between .02 g/210 L and .049 g/210 L, whereas 18% recorded BrACs at .05 g/210 L or greater. The mean AUDIT-C score for impaired DDs significantly differed from both abstaining DDs and drinking DDs. Participants with greater AUDIT-C scores were more likely to serve as a DD and have a BrAC that significantly inhibited driving ability and psychomotor function.

These findings identify the need for consensus across researcher, layperson, and communication campaigns that a DD must be someone who has abstained from drinking entirely.


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Association Between Neurotensin Receptor 1 Gene Polymorphisms and Alcohol Dependence in a Male Han Chinese Population

Neurotensin (NT) is a 13-amino acid multifunctional neuropeptide. Previous studies have demonstrated the roles of NT and its high-affinity receptor 1 (NTR1) in genetically mediated differential sensitivities to alcohol. However, no studies have investigated the association between NTR1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and alcohol dependence (AD).

We therefore examined this link. We genotyped three SNPs (rs6090453C/G, rs6011914C/G, and rs2427422A/G) of NTR1 gene in 127 AD patients and 131 healthy controls drawn from Han Chinese males. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared, and linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis were performed.

For rs6011914C/G, the frequencies of GG genotypes in AD patients showed an increased trend compared with controls (p = 0.057), and the ratio of GG/(CG + CC) for dominant model in AD patients was significantly higher (p = 0.024). For rs2427422A/G, both the frequencies of G alleles and GG genotypes and the ratio of GG/(AG + AA) for dominant model in AD patients were significantly higher compared with controls (p = 0.003, 0.006, 0.002, respectively).

There was no significant difference in the frequencies of alleles, genotypes, and dominant or recessive model for rs6090453C/G (all p > 0.05).

There were three pairs of SNP linkage disequilibriums, and the haplotype frequencies differed significantly between patients and controls for the CCA (p = 0.005, less frequent in the patients) and CCG (p = 0.002, more frequent in the patients) haplotypes.

The current study supported an association between NTR1 gene variants and AD in the Han Chinese population.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:    gzhu@mail.cmu.edu.cn

Alcohol News - 23/2013

 

 

 

The Nordic Page (Norway) - Norwegian Politicians Defend Wine Monopoly

The majority of the country’s local politicians want continuation of wine monopoly and are against wine sale at convenience stores and supermarkets.

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Alice Rap (Denmark) - Complexity: Researching alcohol and other drugs in a multiple world (Aarhus - Denmark, 21st-23rd August 2013)

Hosted by Contemporary Drug Problems, the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research (Aarhus University, Denmark), the National Drug Research Institute (Curtin University, Australia) and the Centre for Population Health (Burnet Institute, Australia), this conference will bring together leading international researchers in drug use and addiction studies from a range of research disciplines.

Read more

Norway Today (Norway) - Half of the fire victims were alcohol affected

Over half of these had even caused by the fire, according to a survey by the Norwegian Fire Protection Association.

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Finnbay (Finland) - Finnish Youth Goes Wild with Alcohol

Helsinki youth has been celebrating the approaching of end of the school year with crazy parties. These parties involve heavily used alcohol and drugs.

read more

Alcohol and Alcoholism (Finland) - Alcohol Policy Changes and Trends in Adolescent Drinking in Finland from 1981 to 2011

Alcohol policy changes between 1981 and 2011 seem not to have had noticeable influence on alcohol drinking or drunkenness among the under-aged in Finland. Conspicuous increases seen in population total consumption in association with EU-related developments have not materialized among adolescents.

Read more

The Baltic Course (Estonia) - Estonian state wants to reduce tax-free alcohol and tobacco import

The Estonian government approved on Thursday of amendments to the draft law that toughens the conditions for bringing tax-free fuel, tobacco and alcohol to Estonia from third states, informs LETA.

Read more

News ERR (Estonia) - Store Clerks to Start Requesting ID From All Alcohol Buyers Appearing Under 30

Starting today, major store chains will start asking to see ID when anyone who looks under the age of 30 purchases alcohol.

Read more

Daily Mail (UK) - One in three designated drivers drink alcohol before getting behind the wheel

Perhaps call that taxi after all - new research has has found that more than one in three designated drivers have had a drink and most had blood-alcohol levels high enough to affect their driving.

Read more

Interfax (Ukraine) - Income ministry proposes postponing introduction of new excise labels for alcohol and tobacco until September 1

The Income and Tax Ministry of Ukraine has proposed introducing new excise labels for alcohol and tobacco from September 1, 2013 instead of August 1, 2013.

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Irish Independent (Ireland) - Varadkar aims to delay alcohol sponsor ban

CONTROVERSIAL proposals to ban alcohol sponsorships of sporting events are to be discussed by ministers next week, writes Fiach Kelly.

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Daily Mail (UK) - Children as young as nine treated for alcohol-related illnesses as A&E doctors reveal 'worrying' increase in young girls drinking

Children as young as nine have been treated in hospital for alcohol-related illnesses, it has been revealed. And hospital emergency specialists have said they have seen a 'worrying' trend of an increase in young girls drinking.

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The Guardian (UK) - One for the road? The hidden risks of roadside alcohol availability

In the UK, you can purchase and drink alcohol in bars, restaurants, cafes, at the cinema, at the theatre and on planes and trains. However, how often have you had the urge for a pint while driving along the M40 and not had the opportunity?

Read more

Irish Times (Ireland) - Alcohol abuse, drug abuse and mental illness feature in child care cases

Alcohol abuse, drug abuse and mental illness feature in many of the cases published by the Child Care Law Reporting Project today.

Read more

Novinite.com (Bulgaria) - Expert: Bulgaria Ranks 6 Globally by Alcohol Consumption

Bulgaria has been ranked sixth globally by alcoholic beverages consumption with 30 liters a year per capita.

Read more

AllAfrica.com - East Africa: Excessive Alcohol Consumption Could Hinder Mdgs, Says EAC Civil Society Platform

The East African Community Civil Society against alcohol abuse has warned that if nothing is done, alcohol abuse could hinder the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Read more

Yeshiva World News (Israel) - Israel Hikes Up Alcohol Tax Beginning on July 1^st

It will cost a bit more to say ‘l’chaim’ beginning on July 1, 2013, when the government tax increase on alcohol takes effect. The tax on beer has almost doubled, along with an increase in cigarette tax and a 1% hike in the value added tax.

Read more

Standart News (Bulgaria) - Over 350,000 Bulgarians Are Addicted to Alcohol

About 350,000 Bulgarians are addicted to alcohol but only one percent seeks medical treatment. The sad statistics was announced during a seminar on alcohol dependency and therapy.

Read more

Sunrise Senior Living Blog - Alcohol-Induced Dementia An Overlooked Problem

Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to have substantial health benefits for seniors. In fact, some studies suggest that a compound found in red wine - resveratrol - could be good for cardiovascular well-being.

Read more

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Why residents of Dutch deprived neighbourhoods are less likely to be heavy drinkers: the role of individual and contextual characteristics

 

Earlier research has shown that residents of Dutch deprived neighbourhoods drink less alcohol than people in other areas. We aimed to assess the role of individual and neighbourhood characteristics in a cross-sectional, nationwide, multilevel study.

Individual data of 30 117 Dutch adults, living in 1722 neighbourhoods across the Netherlands, were obtained from the 2004 to 2009 national health survey (POLS). Chronic heavy alcohol consumption was measured as ≥14 drinks/week for women and ≥21 for men, and episodic heavy drinking as ≥6 drinks/day at least once a week. Neighbourhood deprivation was dichotomous; deprived districts as selected by the Dutch government versus other areas. Multilevel logistic regression models of the association between deprivation and heavy drinking were corrected for age, gender, household composition, population density and potential predictors ethnicity, socioeconomic status (education, income), neighbourhood-level social cohesion and percentage Muslims. 

                               

The prevalence of heavy drinking was lower in deprived neighbourhoods than in the rest of the Netherlands. This association was found for both chronic and episodic heavy drinking (OR=0.58 (0.47 to 0.72) and OR=0.57 (0.45 to 0.72), respectively). Adding ethnicity to the model reduced these associations by approximately one half. Socioeconomic composition did not contribute to the relationship. The proportion of Muslims explained a small part, while social cohesion explained even less of the association. Stronger associations were observed for women and older adults than for men and younger adults. 

                               

The lower prevalence of heavy drinking occurring in deprived areas is largely explained by the ethnicity of neighbourhood residents.

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Request Reprint E-Mail:   m.a.kuipers@amc.uva.nl

Investigating Parental Monitoring, School And Family Influences On

 

 

 

 

 

Key findings

• Children whose parents exert greater control over their free time activities tend to drink less frequently.  Early control has a lasting influence on alcohol use

• Higher rates of drinking in early adolescence leads to reduced levels of parent-controlled boundaries and limits at home

• Being in a school with a higher proportion of frequent drinkers is a risk factor for frequent drinking

• Girls who attend single-sex post-primary schools tend to drink more than pupils attending co-educational schools or male-only schools

 

> > > >  Read More

Public Health Grand Rounds - Preventing Excessive Alcohol Use: What Public Health Can Do

 
Excessive alcohol use, including underage drinking and binge drinking (drinking 5 or more drinks during a single occasion for men or 4 or more drinks during a single occasion for women), is responsible for 80,000 deaths and 2.3 million years of potential life lost in the U.S. each year, and cost the United States $223.5 billion in 2006 or about $1.90 per drink.

This powerful session of Public Health Grand Rounds explored the public health impact of excessive alcohol use and evidence-based strategies to prevent it, with specific attention to the role that state and local public health agencies play in addressing this important public health problem.    > > > >  Read More

Real-Time Monitoring of Intracellular cAMP During Acute Ethanol Exposure

In previous studies, we have shown that ethanol (EtOH) enhances the activity of stimulatory G protein (Gs)-stimulated membrane-bound adenylyl cyclase (AC). The effect is AC isoform specific, and the type 7 AC (AC7) is most responsive to EtOH. In this study, we employed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based cyclic AMP (cAMP) sensor, Epac1-camps, to examine real-time temporal dynamics of EtOH effects on cAMP concentrations. To our knowledge, this is the first report on real-time detection of the EtOH effect on intracellular cAMP.

 

Hela cells were transfected with Epac1-camps, dopamine (DA) receptor D_1a, and 1 isoform of AC (AC7 or AC3). Fluorescent images were captured using a specific filter set for cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), and FRET, respectively, and FRET intensity was calculated on a pixel-by-pixel basis to examine changes in cAMP.

 

During 2-minute stimulation with DA, the cytoplasmic cAMP level quickly increased and then decreased to a plateau, where the cAMP level was higher than the level prior to stimulation with DA. EtOH concentration dependently increased cytoplasmic cAMP in cells transfected with AC7, while EtOH did not have effect on cells transfected with AC3. Similar trends were observed for cAMP at the plasma membrane and in the nucleus during 2-minute stimulation with DA. Unexpectedly, when cells expressing AC7 were stimulated with DA or other Gs-coupled receptor's ligand plus EtOH for 5 seconds, EtOH reduced cAMP concentration.

 

These results suggest that EtOH has 2 opposing effects on the cAMP-generating system in an AC isoform-specific manner, the enhancing effect on AC activity and the short-lived inhibitory effect. Thus, EtOH may have a different effect on cAMP depending on not only AC isoform but also the duration of exposure.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:     myoshimura@vetmed.lsu.edu

 

Prazosin Reduces Alcohol Drinking Throughout Prolonged Treatment and Blocks the Initiation of Drinking in Rats Selectively Bred for High Alcohol Intake

This study examined whether prazosin reduces alcohol drinking over the course of prolonged treatment and whether it blocks the initiation of alcohol drinking in rats with a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol drinking, that is alcohol-preferring (P) rats.

 

In study one, alcohol-experienced P rats that had been drinking alcohol for 2 h/d for several months were treated daily with prazosin (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg body weight [BW]) for 7 weeks. In study two, alcohol-naïve P rats were treated daily with prazosin (0, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg BW) for 2 weeks prior to, or concomitantly with, the initiation of alcohol access and throughout 3 weeks of alcohol availability. Prazosin treatment and alcohol access were then discontinued for 2 weeks followed by reinstatement of alcohol access without prazosin treatment for 4 weeks, followed by resumption of daily prazosin treatment (2.0 mg/kg BW) for 3 weeks.

 

Prazosin reduced alcohol drinking throughout 7 weeks of treatment in P rats accustomed to drinking alcohol. Following termination of prazosin treatment, alcohol drinking slowly returned to pretreatment baseline. Reduced alcohol intake was accompanied by increased water intake. In alcohol-naïve P rats, prazosin administration prior to the first opportunity to drink alcohol and throughout 3 weeks of alcohol access retarded acquisition of alcohol drinking and reduced the amount of alcohol consumed. When prazosin was administered concomitantly with the first opportunity to drink alcohol, it abolished acquisition of alcohol drinking. Discontinuation of prazosin treatment allowed expression of a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol drinking to gradually emerge. Prazosin retained the ability to reduce alcohol intake with repeated treatments.

 

Prazosin decreased alcohol drinking during prolonged treatment and may be useful for treating alcoholism and alcohol-use disorders. Prazosin may also be useful for deterring the initiation of drinking in individuals with a family history of alcoholism.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:    jcfroehl@iupui.edu

Phosphatidylethanol: The Potential Role in Further Evaluating Low Positive Urinary Ethyl Glucuronide and Ethyl Sulfate Results

Whereas urinary ethyl glucuronide (EtG) levels above 1,000 ng/ml reflect with a high probability ethanol (EtOH) consumption, levels below this cutoff are difficult to interpret as both extraneous (nonbeverage) EtOH exposure, recent drinking, and more distant high EtOH intake (several days ago) might yield similar results. This might be of particular relevance in medico-legal cases. To overcome this dilemma, phosphatidylethanol (PEth) might be a promising marker, because blood PEth is only positive following significant alcohol use. The aim of our study was therefore to employ PEth as a marker to differentiate between the different conditions.

 

Subjects included were 252 participants in monitoring with the Alabama Physician Health Program. All subjects testing positive for EtG and/or ethyl sulfate (EtS) who denied drinking after routine supportive confrontation were subject to information about PEth testing. If they still denied drinking, PEth testing was performed and the result communicated. EtG, EtS, and PEth testing was performed in a commercial laboratory using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods.

Of a total of 18 subjects who tested positive for EtG and/or EtS, 10 denied drinking. Of the 7 who denied drinking after PEth explanation, in 5 cases, their claim was supported by a negative PEth result. In 2 cases, a positive PEth result was in contrast to their claim.

 

PEth results in combination with previous low positive EtG/EtS results allow differentiating between innocent/extraneous exposure and drinking. Negative PEth testing following low positive EtG/EtS results helps to further elucidate the findings and support the claim of the patient of recent alcohol abstinence. Positive PEth testing following positive EtG/EtS results confirms recent drinking.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:      f.wurst@salk.at

Risky Single-Occasion Drinking and Disadvantaged Men: Will Recruitment Through Primary Care Miss Hazardous Drinkers?

Men who are socially disadvantaged are at a substantially higher risk of developing alcohol-related diseases. People from deprived areas are known to be more difficult to recruit to research studies. As part of a feasibility assessment for an intervention study, 2 recruitment strategies were investigated. This article compares the drinking patterns of the disadvantaged men identified by the 2 strategies.

 

A cross-sectional survey compared 2 strategies for recruiting disadvantaged men to a study on alcohol consumption: recruitment through general practice (GP) registers and through a community outreach strategy, respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Men aged 25 to 44 years were recruited from deprived areas in the community. The entry criterion was binge drinking (≥8 units in a single session) at least twice in the previous 4 weeks. Demographic characteristics, total consumption of alcohol, frequency of binge drinking (≥8 units in a session), and heavy binge drinking (≥16 units in a session) were measured.

 

Men recruited by RDS drank more than twice as much as the men recruited through GP (137 units in the previous 30 days compared with 62 units; p = 0.003). They also had many more binge drinking days: more than half (57%) of men from RDS had 6 or more binge drinking days in the previous 30 days, whereas only 16% of the GP sample had 6 or more binge drinking days (p = 0.001). Many more men recruited by RDS (37% vs. 5%; p = 0.002) had more than 5 very heavy drinking sessions in the previous month (≥16 units in a session). The RDS group also had fewer alcohol-free days.

 

The 2 sampling strategies recruited different types of drinkers. The men recruited through RDS were much more likely to engage in frequent harmful drinking. The results indicate that the 2 methods recruit different samples of disadvantaged men. Intervention studies that are only conducted through primary care may miss many harmful drinkers.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:    i.k.crombie@dundee.ac.uk

A Corn Oil–Based Diet Protects Against Combined Ethanol and Iron-Induced Liver Injury in a Mouse Model of Hemochromatosis

Combined iron overload and alcohol may promote synergistic
chronic liver injury and toxicity. The role of specific dietary fats in influencing the development of co-toxic alcoholic liver disease needs further evaluation and is investigated in this study.

 

Wild-type (WT) and the iron-loaded Hfe-null (Hfe^−/−) mice were fed chow (CC), a AIN-93G standard control (SC), or a corn oil–modified, AIN-93G-based (CO) diet with or without the addition of 20% ethanol (EtOH) in the drinking water for 8 weeks and assessed for liver injury.

 

WT mice on CC, SC, and CO diets had no liver injury, although mild steatosis developed in the SC and CO groups. The addition of EtOH resulted in mild steatohepatitis in WT mice fed SC but not those on a CO diet. EtOH administration in Hfe^−/− animals on the CC and SC diets caused marked oxidative stress, inflammatory activity, and subsinusoidal and portal–portal tract linkage fibrosis with significant up-regulation of genes involved in cellular stress signaling and fibrogenic pathways. These effects were abrogated in the CO-fed mice, despite elevated serum EtOH levels and hepatic iron concentrations, reduced hepatic glutathione and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase activities. Feeding with the CO diet led to increased hepatic glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities and attenuated alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis in the Hfe^−/− animals. Iron and EtOH feeding markedly reduced p-STAT3 and p-AMPK protein levels, but this effect was significantly attenuated when a CO diet was consumed.

 

A CO-based diet is protective against combined EtOH- and iron-induced liver toxicity, likely via attenuation of hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress and may have a role in the prevention of fibrosis development in chronic liver disease.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:   perthfracp@gmail.com

Two Fully Automated Web-Based Interventions for Risky Alcohol Use: Randomized Controlled Trial

Excessive alcohol use is a widespread problem in many countries, especially among young people. To reach more people engaging in high-risk drinking behaviors, a number of online programs have been developed in recent years. Change Your Drinking is a German, diary-based, fully automated alcohol intervention. In 2010, a revised version of the program was developed. It is more strongly oriented to concepts of relapse prevention than the previous version, includes more feedback, and offers more possibilities to interact with the program. Moreover, the program duration was extended from 10 to 14 days.

This paper examines whether the revised version of Change Your Drinking is more effective in reducing alcohol consumption than the original version.

The effectiveness of both program versions was compared in a Web-based, open, randomized controlled trial with follow-up surveys 6 weeks and 3 months after registration. Participants were recruited online and were randomly assigned to either the original or the revised version of Change Your Drinking. The following self-assessed outcomes were used: alcohol use days, alcohol intake in grams, the occurrence of binge drinking and risky drinking (all referring to the past 7 days prior to each survey), and the number of alcohol-related problems.

A total of 595 participants were included in the trial. Follow-up rates were 58.0% after 6 weeks and 49.6% after 3 months. No significant group differences were found in any of the outcomes. However, the revised version was used by more participants (80.7%) than the original version (55.7%). A significant time effect was detected in all outcomes (alcohol use days: P=.002; alcohol intake in grams: P<.001; binge drinking: P<.001; alcohol-related problems: P=.004; risky drinking: P<.001).

The duration and complexity of the program played a minor role in reducing alcohol consumption. However, differences in program usage between the versions suggest the revised version was more attractive to participants.


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Request Reprint E-Mail:      tensil@delphi-gesellschaft.de.

Caries prevalence in chronic alcoholics and the relationship to salivary flow rate and pH.

The aim of this study was to investigate the dental status of alcoholics; to evaluate the relationship of unstimulated and stimulated saliva pH on their decayed/missing/filled teeth (DMFT); and to evaluate the relationship of unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rate on their DMFT.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients treated for alcohol dependency (n=70; mean age 41.7 years) and a control group of non-alcoholics (n=70; mean age 39.1 years). Examinations for dental caries were conducted using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and questionnaires. The correlation between nominal variables was determined using Χ² test (α=0.05). The correlation between interval variables was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient.

The mean DMFT was similar in alcoholics (14.40) and the control group (13.44) (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between alcoholism and unstimulated salivary flow rate (p<0 .05="" alcoholics="" and="" between="" but="" controls="" differences="" dmft="" flow="" found="" in="" no="" of="" on="" p="" rate="" recorded.="" relationship="" salivary="" significant="" statistically="" stimulated="" terms="" was="" were="">0.05) or stimulated salivary flow on DMFT (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between alcoholism and the pH value of stimulated saliva (p<0 .01="" alcohol="" amount="" and="" between="" carious="" consumed="" correlation="" lesions="" no="" number="" of="" p="" the="" there="" was="">0.05).

No major differences were found with respect to overall DMFT in alcoholics compared to the control group. Alcoholism and stimulated salivary flow rate showed no correlation. Unstimulated salivary flow rate as well as the pH values of both unstimulated and stimulated saliva, were lower in the alcoholic group.



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Request Reprint E-Mail:     dukic@sfzg.hr

A meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies to identify novel loci for maximum number of alcoholic drinks.

Maximum number of alcoholic drinks consumed in a 24-h period (maxdrinks) is a heritable (>50 %) trait and is strongly correlated with vulnerability to excessive alcohol consumption and subsequent alcohol dependence (AD). Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have studied alcohol dependence, but few have concentrated on excessive alcohol consumption.

We performed two GWAS using maxdrinks as an excessive alcohol consumption phenotype: one in 118 extended families (N = 2,322) selected from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), and the other in a case–control sample (N = 2,593) derived from the Study of Addiction: Genes and Environment (SAGE).

The strongest association in the COGA families was detected with rs9523562 (p = 2.1 × 10⁻⁶) located in an intergenic region on chromosome 13q31.1; the strongest association in the SAGE dataset was with rs67666182 (p = 7.1 × 10⁻⁷), located in an intergenic region on chromosome 8. We also performed a meta-analysis with these two GWAS and demonstrated evidence of association in both datasets for the LMO1 (p = 7.2 × 10⁻⁷) and PLCL1 genes (p = 4.1 × 10⁻⁶) with maxdrinks.

A variant in AUTS2 and variants in INADL, C15orf32 and HIP1 that were associated with measures of alcohol consumption in a meta-analysis of GWAS studies and a GWAS of alcohol consumption factor score also showed nominal association in the current meta-analysis.

The present study has identified several loci that warrant further examination in independent samples. Among the top SNPs in each of the dataset (p ≤ 10⁻⁴) far more showed the same direction of effect in the other dataset than would be expected by chance (p = 2 × 10⁻³, 3 × 10⁻⁶), suggesting that there are true signals among these top SNPs, even though no SNP reached genome-wide levels of significance.

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Request Reprint E-Mail:      jcwang@psychiatry.wustl.edu

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Varenicline Tartrate for Alcohol Dependence

 

To assess the efficacy and safety of varenicline (Chantix) for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Varenicline is a partial α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine agonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration for smoking cessation. It has reduced drinking in animal studies and in small studies of humans who were both heavy drinkers and smokers. This is the first multisite clinical trial of varenicline in a population of smokers and nonsmokers with alcohol dependence.
Men and women (n = 200) meeting the criteria for alcohol dependence were recruited across 5 clinical sites. Patients received double-blind varenicline or placebo and a computerized behavioral intervention. Varenicline was titrated during the first week to 2 mg/d, which was maintained during weeks 2 to 13.

The varenicline group had significantly lower weekly percent heavy drinking days (primary outcome) (adjusted mean difference = 10.4), drinks per day, drinks per drinking day, and alcohol craving compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). The average treatment effect on alcohol use was similar for smokers and nonsmokers. Varenicline was well-tolerated; adverse events were expected and mild.

Varenicline significantly reduced alcohol consumption and craving, making it a potentially viable option for the treatment of alcohol dependence.
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Effectiveness of alcohol prevention interventions based on the principles of social marketing: a systematic review

 

Alcohol education aims to increase knowledge on the harm related to alcohol, and to change attitudes and drinking behaviour. However, little (lasting) evidence has been found for alcohol education, in changing alcohol-related attitudes and behaviour. Social marketing uses marketing techniques to achieve a social or healthy goal, and can be used in alcohol education. Social marketing consists of eight principles: customer orientation, insight, segmentation, behavioural goals, exchange, competition, methods mix, and is theory based. This review investigates the application of social marketing in alcohol prevention interventions, and whether application of social marketing influences alcohol-related attitudes or behaviour.     

 

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsychInfo, Cochrane and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were that original papers had to describe the effects of an alcohol prevention intervention developed according to one or more principles of social marketing. No limits were set on the age of the participants or on the kind of alcohol prevention intervention. The abstracts of the 274 retrieved studies were reviewed and the full texts of potentially relevant studies were screened.     

 

Six studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. These six studies showed associations for the application of social marketing techniques on alcohol-related attitudes or behaviour; one study relates to participation in a drinking event, four to alcohol drinking behaviour, two to driving a car while under the influence of alcohol, two to recognition of campaign messages or campaign logo, and one to awareness of the campaign. However, no associations were also found. In addition, the studies had several limitations related to a control group, response rate and study methodology.     

Based on this review, the effect of applying the principles of social marketing in alcohol prevention in changing alcohol-related attitudes or behaviour could not be assessed. More research, with a good quality methodology, like using a randomized control trial and measuring short, medium, and long-term effects, is required on this topic. Policy implications are discussed.

 

 

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Global Actions: Commitments to Reduce Harmful Drinking. June 5, 2013

 

 

 

Global Actions in Focus

 

HEINEKEN Uk

The Global Actions newsletter will periodically feature best practices shared by our readers, including companies that are signatories of the Beer, Wine and Spirits Producers’ Commitments to Reduce Harmful Drinking. In this issue, we focus on HEINEKEN UK and its work in one of the five key areas addressed by the Commitments: providing consumer information and responsible product innovation. We look forward to highlighting more examples from Commitments stakeholders over the course of 2013 and beyond.

HEINEKEN was one of the first companies to introduce unit labeling practices in the United Kingdom that include five key nationally recognized elements:

• Unit alcohol content;
• The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) daily guidelines for lower-risk consumption;
• Warnings about drinking when pregnant;
• The Drinkaware website at drinkaware.co.uk; and
• A responsibility statement (e.g. “please drink responsibly”).

In fact, 99% of the company’s bottles and cans in the U.K. now carry this information.

"We believe it is important for consumers to have information about units to enable them to make responsible choices on alcohol consumption,” said David Paterson, Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Responsibility. “We recognize we can reach our consumers with information about units and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) guidelines in a way that the Government cannot. It is important that we use this opportunity by including information on our packaging."
Another fundamental aspect of the company’s best practices in the U.K. addresses the fact that many of its products are sold in draught in on-trade establishments. To ensure that on-trade consumers are also informed about the levels of alcohol they are consuming, HEINEKEN UK provided nearly 16 million unit-labeled glasses to the U.K. market in 2012.

Key Recent Milestones

· Estonia: ICAP Deputy President Marjana Martinic was the keynote speaker at a roundtable regarding “Self-Regulation Versus Alcohol Policy” at Tallinn Law School on May 29, 2013. She discussed ICAP activities and how self-regulation can be utilized as an effective tool in a state law framework. Martinic also emphasized that producers, advertising agencies, media, and retailers should be included in the process.

What's Happening Next

· China: In June, the Jiangsu Institute for Health Education and the Nanjing Bureau of Traffic Management will release the results of the 2011-2012 Drink Driving Initiative. Expected attendees include representatives from Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the Jiangsu Department of Public Security, the Nanjing Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, and the Nanjing Bureau of Traffic Management.

Emerging adults’ treatment outcomes in relation to 12-step mutual-help attendance and active involvement

 

 

Participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) during and following treatment has been found to confer recovery-related benefit among adults and adolescents, but little is known about emerging adults (18–24 years). This transitional life-stage is distinctive for greater distress, higher density of psychopathology, and poorer treatment and continuing care compliance. Greater knowledge would inform the utility of treatment referrals to 12-step organizations for this age-group.

Emerging adults (N = 303; 18–24 years; 26% female; 95% White; 51% comorbid [SCID-derived] axis I disorders) enrolled in a naturalistic study of residential treatment effectiveness assessed at intake, 3, 6, and 12 months on 12-step attendance and involvement and treatment outcomes (percent days abstinent [PDA]; percent days heavy drinking [PDHD]). Lagged hierarchical linear models (HLMs) tested whether attendance and involvement conferred recovery benefits, controlling for a variety of confounds.

The percentage attending 12-step meetings prior to treatment (36%) rose sharply at 3 months (89%), was maintained at 6 months (82%), but declined at 12 months (76%). Average attendance peaked at about 3 times per week at 3 months dropping to just over once per week at 12 months. Initially high, but similarly diminishing, levels of active 12-step involvement were also observed. Lagged HLMs found beneficial effects for attendance, but stronger effects, which increased over time, for active involvement. Several active 12-step involvement indices were associated individually with outcome benefits.

Ubiquitous 12-step organizations may provide a supportive recovery context for this high-risk population at a developmental stage where non-using/sober peers are at a premium.

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