Neuropeptides
Patients’ abstinence status affects the benefits of 12-step self-help group participation on substance use disorder outcomesStudies measuring the effectiveness of 12-step self-help group attendance have yielded mixed results but none of the prior studies have accounted for the potential impact of interim abstinence status.
Participants were 1683 patients with substance use disorders (SUD) from 88 community residential facilities. Self-report data were collected at baseline and 1- and 4-year follow-ups, and included measures of SUD severity, social resources, coping, and 12-step self-help group attendance. We tested the hypothesis that 12-step self-help group attendance is more effective for non-abstinent patients than for abstinent patients. We also controlled for self-selection effects by using propensity score analyses and we cross-validated our results in a second sample of patients (N = 2173).
Sample 1. Patients abstinent at 1-year post-treatment who attended 12-step self-help group meetings were no more likely to be abstinent at 4 years than abstinent patients who did not attend. However, for patients not abstinent at 1 year, a significant improvement in abstinence rates at 4 years emerged for those who attended 12-step self-help groups compared to those who did not (42% vs. 28.9%). A similar pattern emerged for SUD problems. There were no benefits from 12-step self-help group attendance for patients abstinent at 1 year, but non-abstinent patients who attended 12-step self-help groups had significantly fewer problems at 4 years. Sample 2. The cross-validation yielded consistent results as 12-step self-help group attendance led to higher abstinence rates and fewer SUD problems only among patients non-abstinent at interim assessment.
Individual's abstinence status should be considered when evaluating the potential influence of 12-step self-help group attendance on SUD outcomes. In addition, increased clinical resources should focus on assessing patients after discharge and on improving linkage of non-abstinent patients to self-help groups.
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Media Release - Bold measures needed to tackle alcohol misuse as Scots revealed to be drinking significantly more than the rest of Britain . . . . . .
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Smoking is associated with neurocognitiveDetermine whether smoking contributes to neurocognitive deficits associated with alcoholism.
Both alcoholism and smoking were negatively correlated with neurocognitive function. When alcoholism and smoking were included in regression models, smoking remained a significant predictor for both measures, but alcoholism remained significant only for IQ.
Both smoking and alcoholism were related to neurocognitive function. Smoking may explain some of the relationship between alcoholism and neurocognitive function, perhaps especially for measures that focus on proficiency. Future studies are necessary to more fully understand the effects of smoking on neurocognitive function in alcoholism.
Combined Neuroimaging, Neurocognitive and Psychiatric Factors to Predict Alcohol Consumption Following Treatment for Alcohol Dependence
Validation of a Scale for Rating the Delivery of Psycho-Social Treatments for Alcohol Dependence and Misuse: The UKATT Process Rating Scale (PRS)
Measuring Recovery Capital and Determining Its Relationship to Outcome in an Alcohol Dependent Sample
Relationship Between the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Thyroid Axis and Alcohol Craving in Alcohol-Dependent Patients: A Longitudinal StudyAt baseline, a significant inverse correlation was found between TSH and PACS (r = −0.46; p = 0.022) and OCDS scores (r = −0.53; p = 0.007). A significant direct correlation was found between free T3 and OCDS score (r = 0.44; p = 0.026). In the 16 abstinent patients, craving scores were significantly decreased at 12 weeks (p < class="i">r = 0.60; p = 0.013).
A relationship between alcohol craving and free T3 and TSH was demonstrated in AD patients, suggesting the potential involvement of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis in the neurobiology of alcohol craving.
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Alterations in Ethyl Alcohol Pharmacokinetics During Oral Consumption of Malt Liquor Beverages in African AmericansResults show a slower mean rate of absorption, K
Results show that exposure to ethanol following the consumption of ML beverages is different compared to that following nonmalt beverages in African-Americans. These differences may be related to nonfermented by-products present in commercially available ML products. These PK differences do not appear to result in significant perceived alcohol PD changes, nor are they related to ADH genotype.
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Nondaily Smoking and Alcohol Use, Hazardous Drinking, and Alcohol Diagnoses Among Young Adults: Findings From the NESARCWe examined Wave 1 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; Grant et al., 2003b; n = 43,093). Young adults (aged 18 to 25 years; n = 5,838) were stratified on current smoking behavior (daily, nondaily, and nonsmokers in the past 12 months) and differences in weekly quantity of alcohol use, frequency of alcohol use, frequency of binge drinking behavior, rates of NIAAA-defined hazardous drinking, and rates of DSM-IV alcohol diagnoses were investigated. College student status was examined.
Twenty-five percent were current smokers and 7% were smoking on a nondaily basis. Seventy-one percent were current drinkers, 39% reported binge drinking at least once a month, 41% met criteria for hazardous drinking, and 18% had alcohol use disorders. Across all measures of alcohol use, there was a significant effect of smoking status, with daily smokers having greater alcohol use patterns, compared with nondaily smokers, with nonsmokers consuming the least. Nondaily smokers were more likely to report any binge drinking in the past 12 months. However, daily smokers were more likely to report daily binge drinking. With regard to hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders, nondaily smoking conferred the greatest risk, followed by daily smoking with nonsmoking as the reference group. Multinomial logistic regression demonstrated that the odds of being a hazardous drinker were 16 times greater (95% CI 9.46–26.48) in a nondaily smoker compared with a nonsmoker, whereas the odds for a daily smoker were increased by 7-fold (95% CI 5.54–9.36). A similar pattern of results was demonstrated for DSM-IV alcohol diagnoses. No differences across college student status were observed.
The increased risk of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders conferred by nondaily smoking supports the findings that nondaily smoking and drinking are highly concomitant behaviors. Results such as these suggest that interventions disengaging alcohol and cigarette use patterns (e.g., smoking bans in alcohol venues) might serve to limit the occurrence of hazardous drinking among young adults at heightened risk for this behavior.
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Association of Pro-Ghrelin and GHS-R1A Gene Polymorphisms and Haplotypes With Heavy Alcohol Use and Body MassSNP rs2232165 of the GHS-R1A gene was associated with heavy alcohol consumption and SNP rs2948694 of the same gene as well as haplotypes of both the pro-ghrelin and the GHS-R1A genes were associated with body mass in heavy alcohol consuming individuals.
The present findings are the first to disclose an association between the pro-ghrelin and GHS-R1A genes and heavy alcohol use, further strengthening the role of the ghrelin system in addictive behaviors and brain reward.
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Alcopops: State by State Battle to End Corporate Tax Fraud
The P300 event-related potential and its possible role as an endophenotype for studying substance use disorders: a review
Changes in Neuropsychological Functioning during Alcohol Detoxification
Inconsistent Report of Pre-Pregnancy-Recognition Alcohol Use by Latinas
Swedish researchers uncover addiction's genetic roots 24 Sep 08
Early Release of Selected Estimates Based on Data From the January-March 2008 National Health Interview SurveyIn this release, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) updates estimates for 15 selected health measures based on data from the January-March 2008 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and presents estimates from 1997 through 2007 for comparison. The 15 Early Release measures are being published prior to final data editing and final weighting to provide access to the most recent information from NHIS. The estimates will be updated on a quarterly basis as each new quarter of the NHIS data becomes available. Two additional reports are published via the Early Release Program. Health insurance coverage: Early release of estimates from the National Health Interview Survey (1) is published quarterly and provides additional estimates of health insurance coverage. Wireless substitution: Early release of estimates from the National Health Interview Survey (2) is published in May and December and provides selected estimates of telephone coverage.
The 15 measures included are lack of health insurance coverage and type of coverage, usual place to go for medical care, obtaining needed medical care, receipt of influenza vaccination, receipt of pneumococcal vaccination, obesity, leisure-time physical activity, current smoking, alcohol consumption, human immunodeficiency virus testing, general health status, personal care needs, serious psychological distress, diagnosed diabetes, and asthma episodes and current asthma.
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Gene–environment interactions for complex traits: definitions, methodological requirements and challenges
E) interactions in genetic–epidemiological studies of complex diseases and their potential relevance for clinical application. Although there are some important examples of interactions and applications, the widespread use of the knowledge about G E interaction for targeted intervention or personalized treatment (pharmacogenetics) is still beyond current means. This is due to the fact that convincing evidence and high predictive or discriminative power are necessary conditions for usefulness in clinical practice. E interactions is more rewarding for the detailed characterization of identified disease genes (ie at advanced stages of genetic research) and the stratified analysis of environmental effects by genotype or vice versa.
Increased levels of adiponectin and resistin in alcohol dependence—possible link to cravingRecent studies suggested a role of appetite regulating peptides like leptin and ghrelin in alcohol dependence and particularly in the neurobiology of alcohol craving.
Aim of the present study was to investigate alterations of the adipocytokines adiponectin and resistin in alcohol-dependent patients. We analyzed a sample of 88 patients at admission for alcohol detoxification and after 1 week of withdrawal treatment in comparison to 89 healthy controls. Adiponectin and resistin serum levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits. The extent of alcohol craving was obtained using the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS).
Adiponectin and resistin serum levels were significantly elevated in patients with alcohol dependence at both dates (admission and after 1 week of treatment) compared to healthy controls. Adiponectin decreased significantly during the course of withdrawal (T = 3.44, p = 0.001) while resistin serum levels showed a slight increase (T = −1.83, p = 0.071). In a multivariate approach the extent of alcohol craving was significantly associated with adiponectin but not with resistin serum levels in male patients (Beta = −0.255, p = 0.025). Results for female patients were not significant.
Our findings provide first evidence for an alteration of the adipocytokines adiponectin and resistin during alcohol withdrawal.
Furthermore, adiponectin may be involved in the neurobiology of alcohol craving, possibly via its effects on the hypothalamic circuits.
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Caffeinated energy drinks—A growing problemSince the introduction of Red Bull in Austria in 1987 and in the United States in 1997, the energy drink market has grown exponentially. Hundreds of different brands are now marketed, with caffeine content ranging from a modest 50 mg to an alarming 505 mg per can or bottle.
Regulation of energy drinks, including content labeling and health warnings differs across countries, with some of the most lax regulatory requirements in the U.S. The absence of regulatory oversight has resulted in aggressive marketing of energy drinks, targeted primarily toward young males, for psychoactive, performance-enhancing and stimulant drug effects.
There are increasing reports of caffeine intoxication from energy drinks, and it seems likely that problems with caffeine dependence and withdrawal will also increase. In children and adolescents who are not habitual caffeine users, vulnerability to caffeine intoxication may be markedly increased due to an absence of pharmacological tolerance. Genetic factors may also contribute to an individual's vulnerability to caffeine-related disorders including caffeine intoxication, dependence, and withdrawal.
The combined use of caffeine and alcohol is increasing sharply, and studies suggest that such combined use may increase the rate of alcohol-related injury. Several studies suggest that energy drinks may serve as a gateway to other forms of drug dependence.
Regulatory implications concerning labeling and advertising, and the clinical implications for children and adolescents are discussed.
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Alcohol Use Among Pregnant Women and Recent MothersPrenatal alcohol exposure increases the risk of birth defects, including physical, cognitive, and behavioral disorders. Research also shows a link between alcohol use during pregnancy and increased risk of preterm birth. In 2005-2006, an estimated 11.8 percent of pregnant women aged 15 to 44 reported using alcohol in the past month.
A recent paper based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that illicit drug, alcohol, and cigarette use was lower among pregnant women, particularly during their second and third trimesters, than among their parenting or nonpregnant counterparts. The study also found indirect evidence of resumption of substance use after pregnancy.
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Culture Shapes Young People’s Drinking Habits
GABRG1 and GABRA2 as Independent Predictors for Alcoholism in Two Populations
0.05) haplotypes that spanned GABRG1 and GABRA2 (341 kb), three of which were present in both populations: one of these ancestral haplotypes was associated with AUD, the other two were more common in non-alcoholics; this association was determined by GABRG1; (5) in the Finns, three less common (<0.05)>GABRA2
Lower Drinking Age Opposed by Experts
News Release - 'Casual' smokers have a greater risk of hazardous drinking and alcohol-use disordersNon-daily or "casual" smokers tend to slip through the cracks of prevention efforts. Yet casual smoking and heavy drinking are prevalent behaviors among young adults and, furthermore, casual smoking occurs primarily in the context of alcohol use. A new study of casual smoking and drinking behavior has found that non-daily smoking confers an increased risk of hazardous drinking and alcohol-use disorders (AUDs).
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News Release - Peptide ghrelin may be involved in both alcohol dependence and overeating
News Release - The neuropeptide Y system is linked to a more severe form of alcohol dependence
News Release - Nationwide Data on Treatment Admissions for Substance AbuseThe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is issuing the completed version of its latest Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), which provides information on substance abuse treatment admissions from state-licensed treatment facilities across the country.
The 2006 TEDS Report is the latest in a series of yearly reports that not only provide overall figures for the Nation, but also break this information down into a wide variety of demographic criteria that can help provide greater perspective on the scope and nature of these problems. This information is designed to help the public health community get a better understanding of the treatment needs they are confronting so that they can work to most effectively address them.
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An Introduction to Mutual Support Groups for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Breath Alcohol Level and Plasma Amino Acids: A Comparison between Older and Younger Chronic Alcohol-Dependent Patients
50 years) BrAl negative patients had higher plasma levels of cystine, tyrosine, citrulline and urea, and lower histidine levels, compared to the younger group (<50 years).
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use by Addictions Professionals: Historical Reflections and Suggested GuidelinesAlcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use by individuals working in the addictions field has existed as a complex, controversial personal and professional practice issue for more than 150 years.
The central debate within this history involves the concept of nexus—the boundary that distinguishes rights to personal privacy from professional duties and obligations. Ambiguities related to this point of demarcation have contributed to misjudgments related to ATOD use by addictions professionals that have injured multiple parties.
This essay reviews the history of ATOD use as a professional practice issue in the addictions field; discusses clinical, ethical, and legal issues related to ATOD use by addiction service professionals; and offers guidance on ATOD use decision making.
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Treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders in Europe: Four Case StudiesA case study approach reviewed 4 alcohol/other drug disorders treatment agencies in Europe.
Outstanding substance abuse treatment agencies in Europe are adopting motivational interviewing and cognitive behavior therapy similar to their counterparts in the United States. They also are moving toward a harm reduction approach in recognizing that alcohol/other drug dependency is a chronic illness that must be treated on a recurring basis.
Some unique strategies provide ideas for improvement of U.S. programs.
However, a common barrier to improving treatment is a lack of capacity to collect and use data and difficulties in following clients after they leave treatment.
Self-Efficacy as a Factor in Abstinence from Alcohol/Other Drug Abuse: A Meta-AnalysisIncreased self-efficacy or confidence to remain abstinent has been identified as one mechanism explaining behavior change, with investigations of this mechanism occurring most frequently in prospective mutual-help research.
This study meta-analytically combined 11 studies to address critical questions about the nature and magnitude of change in self-efficacy in predicting drinking reductions among 12-step exposed individuals.
Findings suggested that changes in self-efficacy were not uniform within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and that the magnitude of benefit associated with increased self-efficacy on outcome was not homogenous across studies. Whether this finding was the result of a measurement artifact, such as different self-efficacy measures, the nature of the samples, or the follow-up interval is not clear.
Additional work is necessary to identify the nature of this mediating effect, and to uncover the extent that this effect varies by the kind and severity of substance abuse
Treatment Staff Referrals, Participation Expectations, and Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Adolescent Involvement in Twelve-Step GroupsAlcoholism Treatment Quarterly: Volume: 26 Issue: 4. pp. 427 - 449
Adolescents treated for substance use disorders (SUDs) appear to benefit from participation in Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA). However, as compared with adults, fewer adolescents attend, and those who do attend do so less intensively and discontinue sooner.
It is unknown whether this disparity is due to a lowered expectation for youth participation by the clinicians treating them, as they may adapt the adult-based model to fit a less-dependent cohort, or whether recommendations are similar to those of clinicians who work with adults and other factors are responsible.
All clinical staff (N= 114) at 5 adolescent programs (3 residential, 2 outpatient) were surveyed anonymously about referral practices and other beliefs about 12-step groups. Staff rated AA/NA participation as very important and helpful to adolescent recovery and referral rates were uniformly high (M= 86%, SD= 28%). Desired participation frequency was over 3 times per week. The theoretical orientation and level of care of the programs influenced some results.
Findings suggest lower adolescent participation in 12-step groups is not due to a lack of clinician enthusiasm or referrals, but appears to be due to other factors.
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Tissue Expression Pattern of Class II and Class V Genes Found in the Adh Complex on Mouse Chromosome 3
One third of pregnant women secretly drink alcohol, survey findsExperts say one in every 100 babies are affected by their mothers drinking while pregnant.
More than 6,000 are born every year with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder which can cause learning difficulties, hyperactivity, co-ordination problems, brain damage and deafness.
But one in 10 mothers-to-be believe that drinking doesn't do as much damage as experts claim, according to the survey by baby charity Tommy's.
Shoppers head North for cut-price alcoholAs the credit crunch hits more consumers are flocking to the North to purchase cut-price alcohol, it was revealed today.
The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI), which represents drinks manufacturers and suppliers, has expressed concern that the increase in cross-border purchases could endanger jobs in the drinks industry.
Alcohol promotions to Leaving Certs 'reprehensible'An alcoholic drinks promotion targeted at Leaving Cert students and advertised on a Bebo website has been described as “reprehensible” by the complaints panel of a drinks industry body.
The indepdendent complaints panel of Meas, which stands for Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society, published its findings on a number of matters today.
It expressed “deep concern” that the Purty Kitchen of Temple Bar in Dublin had targeted and advertised alcohol promotions to schools where the majority of students were under 18, and therefore under the legal age limit to buy alcohol.
Conservative U-turn on alcohol liberalization
Drinking game's aim is to create 'wizard stick' out of beer cansVANCOUVER — A drinking game that's making the rounds confers "wizard status" on anyone who consumes enough cans of beer to exceed their height, but a health expert suggests this kind of binge drinking is anything but wise.
The game is played at so-called "wizard stick" parties and the rules are simple. Every beer that is consumed is taped to the one before it. Eventually the beer cans stack up and form a walking stick, which is carried around for the night.
The person whose staff exceeds their height wins, and obtains "wizard status." (When the sticks reach a certain height, they often curl over, resembling a wizard staff.)
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Cross-cultural invalidity of alcohol dependence measurement across Hispanics and Caucasians in 2001 and 2002Do assessments of alcohol dependence demonstrate similarly validity across Hispanics and non-Hispanic Caucasians? This investigation examined this question.
It employed confirmatory factor analyses for ordered-categorical measures to search for measurement bias on the AUDADIS, a standardized measure of alcohol dependence, across Hispanic (n = 4819) and non-Hispanic Caucasians (n = 16, 109) in a nationally representative survey of alcohol use in the United States conducted in 2001 and 2002.
Analyses considered whether 27 items operationalizing the DSM-IV alcohol dependence construct provided equivalent measurement.
Nine items revealed statistically significant bias, suggesting strong caution regarding the cross-ethnic validity of alcohol dependence. Sensitivity analyses established that item level differences erroneously impact alcohol dependence estimates among the 2001–2002 US Hispanic population. Biased measurement underestimates differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Caucasians, underestimates Hispanics' true use levels, and falsely minimizes current increases in drinking behavior evidenced among Hispanics.
Findings urge improved public health efforts among the Hispanic community and underscore the necessity for cultural sensitivity when generalizing measures and constructs developed in the majority to Hispanic individuals.
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Khama, KBL fight over alcohol levy