Validation of the Dutch version of the brief young adult alcohol consequences questionnaire (B-YAACQ)

Addictive Behaviors Volume 34, Issue 5, May 2009, Pages 411-414

The purpose of this study was to validate the Dutch version of the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (B-YAACQ).

Data from 667 undergraduate and graduate students (184 men and 483 women) who reported alcohol use during the past year was used in the analysis. On average, students in this study report 4.7 alcohol-related consequences. The Dutch B-YAACQ was shown to have a high reliability and validity: Cronbach's Alpha was 0.816, and B-YAACQ scores correlated significantly with AUDIT-PC scores (r = 0.747). B-YAACQ scores correlated significantly

The Dutch B-YAACQ is a useful new tool for screening of alcohol-related consequences.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: j.c.verster@uu.nl

________________________________________________

New insights into the genetics of addiction

Nature Reviews Genetics, advance online publication, 24 February 2009

Drug addiction is a common brain disorder that is extremely costly to the individual and to society. Genetics contributes significantly to vulnerability to this disorder, but identification of susceptibility genes has been slow. Recent genome-wide linkage and association studies have implicated several regions and genes in addiction to various substances, including alcohol and, more recently, tobacco. Current efforts aim not only to replicate these findings in independent samples but also to determine the functional mechanisms of these genes and variants.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: Ming_Li@virginia.edu

______________________________________________

Interaction between dopamine D2 receptor genotype and parental rule-setting in adolescent alcohol use: evidence for a gene-parenting interaction

Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication 24 February 2009

Association studies investigating the link between the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and alcohol (mis)use have shown inconsistent results. This may be due to lack of attention for environmental factors. High levels of parental rule-setting are associated with lower levels of adolescent alcohol use and delay of initiation of drinking.

We tested whether DRD2 TaqI A (rs1800497) genotype interacts with alcohol-specific parenting practices in predicting the uptake of regular adolescent alcohol use.

Parental rule-setting was directly and inversely related to adolescent alcohol use over time.

For DRD2 genotype no significant main effect was found. DRD2 genotype interacted with parental rule-setting on adolescent alcohol use over time: adolescents, with parents highly permissive toward alcohol consumption and carrying a genotype with the DRD2 A1 (rs1800497T) allele, used significantly more alcohol over time than adolescents without these characteristics.

The DRD2 genotype may pose an increased risk for alcohol use and abuse, depending on the presence of environmental risk factors, such as alcohol-specific parenting.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: C.vanderZwaluw@bsi.ru.nl_

______________________________

Finland's u-turn on alcohol tax



Health ministers are describing drinking as the new smoking amid rising concern about the price of alcohol in the UK.

The Scottish government has suggested a range of radical measures, including a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

After a public consultation they are due to respond with more detailed proposals for legislation later this month.

The idea of minimum pricing is supported by medical organisations and charities, but opposed by retailers who say moderate drinkers would be unfairly penalised.

The Scottish government says the connection between price and consumption is backed by international evidence, including the recent experience of Finland.

Tax cut
In 2004 tax on alcohol in Finland was dramatically reduced, leading to price reductions of up to a third, depending on the type of alcohol.

Health campaigners say alcohol related harm visibly increased within the space of two or three years.
. . . . . .



Read Full Article

________________________________________________

Moderate Alcohol Intake and Cancer Incidence in Women

Journal of the National Cancer Institute Advance Access published online on February 24, 2009

With the exception of breast cancer, little is known about the effect of moderate intakes of alcohol, or of particular types of alcohol, on cancer risk in women.

A quarter of the cohort reported drinking no alcohol; 98% of drinkers consumed fewer than 21 drinks per week, with drinkers consuming an average of 10 g alcohol (1 drink) per day. During an average 7.2 years of follow-up per woman 68 775 invasive cancers occurred. Increasing alcohol consumption was associated with increased risks of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx (increase per 10 g/d = 29%, 95% CI = 14% to 45%, Ptrend < .001), esophagus (22%, 95% CI = 8% to 38%, Ptrend = .002), larynx (44%, 95% CI = 10% to 88%, Ptrend = .008), rectum (10%, 95% CI = 2% to 18%, Ptrend = .02), liver (24%, 95% CI = 2% to 51%, Ptrend = .03), breast (12%, 95% CI = 9% to 14%, Ptrend < .001), and total cancer (6%, 95% CI = 4% to 7%, Ptrend < .001). The trends were similar in women who drank wine exclusively and other consumers of alcohol. For cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract, the alcohol-associated risk was confined to current smokers, with little or no effect of alcohol among never and past smokers (Pheterogeneity < .001). Increasing levels of alcohol consumption were associated with a decreased risk of thyroid cancer (Ptrend = .005), non–Hodgkin lymphoma (Ptrend = .001), and renal cell carcinoma (Ptrend = .03).

Low to moderate alcohol consumption in women increases the risk of certain cancers. For every additional drink regularly consumed per day, the increase in incidence up to age 75 years per 1000 for women in developed countries is estimated to be about 11 for breast cancer, 1 for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, 1 for cancer of the rectum, and 0.7 each for cancers of the esophagus, larynx and liver, giving a total excess of about 15 cancers per 1000 women up to age 75.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: naomi.allen@ceu.ox.ac.uk

Alcohol Intake and Cigarette Smoking and Risk of a Contralateral Breast Cancer

American Journal of Epidemiology Advance Access published online on February 11, 2009

Women with primary breast cancer are at increased risk of developing second primary breast cancer. Few studies have evaluated risk factors for the development of asynchronous contralateral breast cancer in women with breast cancer.

In the Women's Environmental Cancer and Radiation Epidemiology Study (1985–2001), the roles of alcohol and smoking were examined in 708 women with asynchronous contralateral breast cancer (cases) compared with 1,399 women with unilateral breast cancer (controls).

Ever regular drinking was associated with an increased risk of asynchronous contralateral breast cancer (rate ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.0, 1.6), and the risk increased with increasing duration (P = 0.03). Smoking was not related to asynchronous contralateral breast cancer.

In this, the largest study of asynchronous contralateral breast cancer to date, alcohol is a risk factor for the disease, as it is for a first primary breast cancer.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: knight@lunenfeld.ca

_________________________________________________

Sequence Variations of the Human MPDZ Gene and Association With Alcoholism in Subjects With European Ancestry

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Published Online: 28 Jan 2009

Mpdz gene variations are known contributors of acute alcohol withdrawal severity and seizures in mice.

Sixty-seven new, mostly rare variants were discovered in the human MPDZ gene. Sequence comparison revealed that the human gene does not have variations identical to those comprising Mpdz gene haplotype associated with AWS in mice. We also found no significant association between MPDZ haplotypes and AWS in humans. However, a global test of haplotype association revealed a significant difference in haplotype frequencies between alcohol-dependent subjects without AWS and Coriell controls (p = 0.015), suggesting a potential role of MPDZ in alcoholism and/or related phenotypes other than AWS. Haplotype-specific tests for the most common haplotypes (frequency > 0.05), revealed a specific high-risk haplotype (p = 0.006, maximum statistic p = 0.051), containing rs13297480G allele also found to be significantly more prevalent in alcoholics without AWS compared with nonalcoholic Coriell subjects (p = 0.019).

Sequencing of MPDZ gene in individuals with EA ancestry revealed no variations in the sites identical to those associated with AWS in mice. Exploratory haplotype and single SNP association analyses suggest a possible association between the MPDZ gene and alcohol dependence but not AWS.

Further functional genomic analysis of MPDZ variants and investigation of their association with a broader array of alcoholism-related phenotypes could reveal additional genetic markers of alcoholism.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: karpyak.victor@mayo.edu

________________________________________________

Media coverage of celebrity DUIs: teachable moments or problematic social modeling?
Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on0 on February 16, 2009

Alcohol in the media influences norms around use, particularly for young people. A recent spate of celebrity arrests for drinking and driving (DUI) has received considerable media attention. We asked whether these newsworthy events serve as teachable moments or problematic social modeling for young women. .

Stories were brief, episodic and focused around glamorous celebrity images. They included routine discussion of the consequences of the DUI for the individual celebrities without much evidence of a consideration of the public health dimensions of drinking and driving or possible prevention measures.

Our analysis found little material in the media coverage that dealt with preventing injury or promoting individual and collective responsibility for ensuring such protection. Media attention to such newsworthy events is a missed opportunity that can and should be addressed through media advocacy efforts.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: kasmith@jhsph.edu
___________________________________________________

Alcohol, Gestation and Breastfeeding: Selenium as an Antioxidant Therapy
Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on February 12, 2009

The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between alcohol, selenium and oxidative stress in breastfeeding rat pups exposed to ethanol during gestation and lactation. We have also studied how a Se-supplemented diet among mothers could prevent different oxidative liver disorders in the pups.

In the liver of pups, exposure to ethanol provoked a decrease in selenium and GPx activity and an increase in GR and CAT activity, as well as in carbonyl groups in protein. A pups had higher Se levels and GPx activity in serum than C pups. Administering Se with alcohol balances the activities of scavenging enzymes and reduces peroxidation protein products.

These results suggest that selenium could be effective in neutralizing the damage of ethanol consumption during gestation and lactation in pups since it repairs selenium levels in liver as well as the activity of scavenging enzymes and peroxidation protein products. In serum, Se also recovers GPx activity and increases the levels of Se that are available to other organs.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: olimpia@us.es
__________________________________________________

The TEDS Report: Treatment Outcomes among Clients Discharged from Residential Substance Abuse Treatment:

• 
  SAMHSA's annual Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) provides data on completion rates by race, gender, primary substance of abuse, and type of residential treatment for those with discharge information provided by the States for their specialty substance abuse treatment facilities.


• 
  In 2005, clients discharged from short-term residential treatment (30 days or less) were more likely to complete treatment than those discharged from long-term residential treatment (57% vs. 38%).


• 
  Among short-term residential treatment discharges, a higher proportion of American Indian/Alaska Natives (63%) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (60%) completed treatment than Whites (57%), Blacks (55%), or Hispanics (52%).


• 
  Clients who reported alcohol as their primary drug of abuse were more likely to complete treatment among residential short-term discharges (66%) and long-term discharges (46%) than those with other primary drugs of abuse.


• 
  Discharged clients who reported stimulants as their primary drug of abuse were the least likely to complete short-term residential treatment (46%) and were almost as likely (19%) as those reporting opiates (21%) as their primary drug to drop out of short-term residential treatment.


• 
  Treatment completion among clients discharged from long-term residential treatment was lowest among those reporting cocaine abuse (33%) or opiate abuse (35%) as their primary drug of abuse.

Read Full Report (PDF)

_______________________________________________

Health Disadvantage in US Adults Aged 50 to 74 Years: A Comparison of the Health of Rich and Poor Americans With That of Europeans

American Journal of Public Health March 2009, Vol 99, No. 3, 540-548

We compared the health of older US, English, and other European adults, stratified by wealth.

American adults reported worse health than did English or European adults. Eighteen percent of Americans reported heart disease, compared with 12% of English and 11% of Europeans. At all wealth levels, Americans were less healthy than were Europeans, but differences were more marked among the poor. Health disparities by wealth were significantly smaller in Europe than in the United States and England. Odds ratios of heart disease in a comparison of the top and bottom wealth tertiles were 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.69, 2.24) in the United States, 2.13 (95% CI = 1.73, 2.62) in England, and 1.38 (95% CI = 1.23, 1.56) in Europe. Smoking, obesity, physical activity levels, and alcohol consumption explained a fraction of health variations.

American adults are less healthy than Europeans at all wealth levels. The poorest Americans experience the greatest disadvantage relative to Europeans.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: m.avendanopabon@erasmusmc.nl

_________________________________________________

Curbing Problem Drinking with Personalized-Feedback Interventions: A Meta-Analysis

American Journal of Preventive MedicineVolume 36, Issue 3, March 2009, Pages 247-255

The effectiveness of personalized-feedback interventions to reduce problem drinking has been evaluated in several RCTs and systematic reviews.

A meta-analysis was performed to examine the overall effectiveness of brief, single-session personalized-feedback interventions without therapeutic guidance.

The selection and analyses of studies were conducted in 2008. Fourteen RCTs of single-session personalized-feedback interventions without therapeutic guidance were identified, and their combined effectiveness on the reduction of problematic alcohol consumption was evaluated in a meta-analysis. Alcohol consumption was the primary outcome measure.

The use of single-session personalized-feedback interventions without therapeutic guidance appears to be a viable and probably cost-effective option for reducing problem drinking in student and general populations. The Internet offers ample opportunities to deliver personalized-feedback interventions on a broad scale, and problem drinkers are known to be amenable to Internet-based interventions. More research is needed on the long-term effectiveness of personalized-feedback interventions for problem drinking, on its potential as a first step in a stepped-care approach, and on its effectiveness with other groups (such as youth obliged to use judicial service programs because of violations of minimum-age drinking laws) and in other settings (such as primary care).

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: hriper@trimbos.nl

__________________________________________________

State Alcohol-Use Estimates Among Youth and Adults, 1993–2005

American Journal of Preventive MedicineVolume 36, Issue 3, March 2009, Pages 218-224

Underage drinking, particularly binge drinking, is an important public health problem that results in substantial premature mortality and morbidity. Little is known about the potential influence of the alcohol-use behaviors of adults on youth alcohol use at a population level.

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of alcohol-use behaviors among youth with those of adults at a population level.

Overall and subgroup-specific state youth estimates of current drinking and binge drinking were generally moderately to strongly correlated with adult alcohol use (range of r -values for pooled estimates across all years: 0.35–0.68 for current drinking

Most state youth alcohol-use estimates were correlated with state adult estimates. These findings have implications for underage-drinking control strategies and suggest that efforts to address this problem need to be targeted on a broader societal level.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: den2@cdc.gov

_______________________________________________

Binge Drinking Among U.S. Active-Duty Military Personnel

American Journal of Preventive MedicineVolume 36, Issue 3, March 2009, Pages 208-217

Binge drinking (drinking on a single occasion ≥5 drinks for men or ≥4 drinks for women) is a common risk behavior among U.S. adults that is associated with many adverse health and social consequences. However, little is known about binge drinking among active-duty military personnel (ADMP). The objectives of this study were to quantify episodes of binge drinking, to characterize ADMP who binge-drink, and to examine the relationship between binge drinking and related harms.

In 2005, a total of 43.2% of ADMP reported past-month binge drinking, resulting in 29.7 episodes per person per year. In all, 67.1% of binge episodes were reported by personnel aged 17–25 years (46.7% of ADMP), and 25.1% of these episodes were reported by underage youth (aged 17–20 years). Heavy drinkers (19.8% of ADMP) were responsible for 71.5% of the binge-drinking episodes and had the highest number of annual per-capita episodes of binge drinking (112.6 episodes). Compared to nonbinge drinkers, binge drinkers were more likely to report alcohol-related harms, including job performance problems (AOR=6.5; 95% CI=4.65, 9.15); alcohol-impaired driving (AOR=4.9; 95% CI=3.68, 6.49); and criminal justice problems (AOR=6.2; 95% CI=4.00, 9.72).

Binge drinking is common among ADMP and is strongly associated with adverse health and social consequences. Effective interventions (e.g., the enforcement and retainment of the minimum legal drinking age) to prevent binge drinking should be implemented across the military and in conjunction with military communities to discourage binge drinking.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: mstahre@cdc.gov

________________________________________________

New Resource Available on Detoxification


The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is pleased to announce the availability of the Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment Training Manual.

This new curriculum, based on Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 45, is for use by clinical supervisors for training staff members about detoxification services for individuals with substance use disorders.

The manual includes information on the physiology of withdrawal, pharmacological management of withdrawal, patient placement, and incorporating detoxification services into comprehensive systems of care. It includes step-by-step instructions for providing inservice training.

Read Full Manual (PDF)
____________________________________________

Low alcohol alternatives: A promising strategy for reducing alcohol related harm

International J Drug Policy Volume 20, Issue 2, Pages 183-187 (March 2009)

Less than 1% of the beer market in British Columbia comprises beers with an alcohol content below 4%, despite the success of low alcohol beers in other countries, e.g. Australia.

A small experimental study is described in which male students were given either unmarked low alcohol beer (3.8%) or regular strength beer (5.3%) to investigate their enjoyment and subjective intoxication..

We conclude beer drinkers cannot readily distinguish low and regular strength beers and can enjoy socializing equally with either. We recommend taxation strategies to create incentives for the manufacture, marketing and consumption of low alcohol alternatives.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: dsegal@uvic.ca

________________________________________________

ADH SNP ASSOCIATIONS WITH ALCOHOL METABOLISM IN VIVO

Human Molecular Genetics Advance Access published online on February 4, 2009

We have previously found that variation in alcohol metabolism in Europeans is linked to the chromosome 4q region containing the ADH gene family.

We have now typed 103 SNPs across this region to test for allelic associations with variation in blood and breath alcohol concentrations after an alcohol challenge.

In vivo alcohol metabolism was modelled with three parameters that identified the absorption and rise of alcohol concentration following ingestion, and the rate of elimination. Alleles of ADH7 SNPs were associated with the early stages of alcohol metabolism, with additional effects in the ADH1A, ADH1B and ADH4 regions.

Rate of elimination was associated with SNPs in the intragenic region between ADH7 and ADH1C, and across ADH1C and ADH1B.

SNPs affecting alcohol metabolism did not correspond to those reported to affect alcohol dependence or alcohol-related disease.

The combined SNP associations with early and late stage metabolism only account for about 20% of the total genetic variance linked to the ADH region, and most of the variance for in vivo alcohol metabolism linked to this region has yet to be explained.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: John.Whitfield@qimr.edu.au

______________________________________________

4-Containing GABAA Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Mediate Moderate Intake of Alcohol

The Journal of Neuroscience, January 14, 2009, 29(2):543-549;

Alcohol has subjective and behavioral effects at the pharmacological levels typically reached during the consumption of one or two alcoholic drinks.

Here we provide evidence that an 4-subunit-containing GABAA receptor contributes to the consumption of low-to-moderate levels of alcohol.

Using viral-mediated RNA interference (RNAi), we found that reduced expression of the 4 subunit in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell of rats decreased their free consumption of and preference for alcohol. The time course for the reduced alcohol intake paralleled the time course of 4 mRNA reductions achieved after viral-mediated RNAi for 4.

Furthermore, the reduction in drinking was region- and alcohol-specific: there was no effect of reductions in 4 expression in the NAc core on alcohol intake, and reductions in 4 expression in the NAc shell did not alter sucrose or water intake.

These results indicate that the GABAA receptor 4 subunit in the NAc shell mediates alcohol intake.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: pjanak@gallo.ucsf.edu

____________________________________________

Review: Should ethanol be scheduled as a drug of high risk to public health?

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 23, No. 1, 94-100 (2009)

Six criteria described in the New Zealand Misuse of Drugs Act and used by the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) for determining the risk of a drug to public health were examined in relation to ethanol, using -hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) as a comparator drug.

GHB is an ideal candidate for use as a comparator because it is a sedative substance very similar to ethanol and has been previously investigated by the EACD using these six criteria. GHB was subsequently classified as a Class B1 drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, that is, as a prohibited drug of high risk to public health.

The dangerousness level of ethanol was found to be at least similar to that of GHB in this analysis. This highlights a major discrepancy in public policy.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: doug.sellman@otago.ac.nz
_________________________________________________

Effects of acute alcohol consumption on processing of perceptual cues of emotional expression

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 23, No. 1, 23-30 (2009)

Alcohol consumption has been associated with increases in aggressive behaviour. However, experimental evidence of a direct association is equivocal, and mechanisms that may underlie this relationship are poorly understood. One mechanism by which alcohol consumption may increase aggressive behaviour is via alterations in processing of emotional facial cues.

We investigated the effects of acute alcohol consumption on sensitivity to facial expressions of emotion. Participants attended three experimental sessions where they consumed an alcoholic drink (0.0, 0.2 or 0.4 g/kg), and completed a psychophysical task to distinguish expressive from neutral faces.

The level of emotion in the expressive face varied across trials the threshold at which the expressive face was reliably identified and measured. We observed a significant three-way interaction involving emotion, participant sex and alcohol dose. Male participants showed significantly higher perceptual thresholds for sad facial expressions compared with female participants following consumption of the highest dose of alcohol.

Our data indicate sex differences in the processing of facial cues of emotional expression following alcohol consumption. There was no evidence that alcohol altered the processing of angry facial expressions.

Future studies should examine effects of alcohol expectancy and investigate the effects of alcohol on the miscategorisation of emotional expressions.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: Angela.Attwood@bris.ac.uk

__________________________________________________

Alcohol Consumption Behaviours and Social Mobility in Men and Women of the Midspan Family Study
Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on January 23, 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between alcohol consumption and social mobility in a cohort study in Scotland.

More downwardly mobile men exceeded the weekly limit, the daily limit, were defined as binge drinkers and drank the most units per week of the four social mobility groups. Stable non-manual women were more likely to consume alcohol on 5+ days a week but very few were binge drinkers. Stable non-manual and upwardly mobile men and women were more likely to drink wine, and downwardly mobile men to drink beer.

Downward mobility was associated with less favourable alcohol behaviours, especially in men. Wine consumption was more closely related to the social mobility groups than beer and spirits consumption. Drinking patterns could both influence and be influenced by social mobility.

Read Full Abstract

Read Full Text (PDF)

Psychiatrist Directed Army, VA Programs For Substance Abuse

By Patricia Sullivan Washington Post Staff Writer February 6, 2009; Page B06

Stewart L. Baker, 88, a psychiatrist who developed comprehensive drug abuse and alcoholism treatment programs for the Army in 1971 and later directed similar programs for the Veterans Administration, died Jan. 13 at the Riderwood Village retirement community in Silver Spring after a stroke.

. . . . .

Read Full Article

__________________________________________

Alcohol, young people and the media: a study of radio output in six radio stations in England
Journal of Public Health Advance Access first published online on January 13, 2009

This research investigated the representation of alcohol in radio output. The study was prompted by concerns that media output might be part of a developing culture of excessive drinking among young people.

Alcohol comments were examined across six radio stations in England. 1200 h of weekend output was screened and the sampling frame included periods when references to alcohol would be expected, such as the Christmas period. Statistical analysis identified the volume and proportion of comments, whereas qualitative analysis explored these in more depth, focusing on the themes and discourses surrounding alcohol talk.

Of 703 alcohol comments identified, 244 involved presenters. The volume of comments about alcohol varied between stations, being lower on BBC than on commercial stations and being influenced by music genre. Seventy-three percent of comments initiated by presenters, compared with 45% of comments from all sources, encouraged drinking. The majority of comments by presenters support drinking in relation to partying and socializing. Alcohol comments seem to create identity for programmes and forge connections between presenters and audiences, although some presenters achieve this without mentioning drinking. The assumption that alcohol is necessary to have a good time is seldom directly challenged.

While it may be unsurprising that much of this content reflected themes of weekend drinking and partying, the study suggests that alcohol comments play a particular role in marketing and branding of radio output. Comments about alcohol are shaped by broadcasting conventions that make it difficult to challenge discourses surrounding excessive drinking. Further research is needed on the influence that radio output may have on drinking behaviour among young people.

Read Full Text (PDF)
____________________________________________________

Sweet Liking Phenotype, Alcohol Craving and Response to Naltrexone Treatment in Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on February 3, 2009

To investigate the relationship between the sweet liking/sweet disliking phenotype (a putative probe of brain opioid function), craving for alcohol and response to treatment with naltrexone in individuals with alcohol dependence.

Forty individuals with alcohol dependence were enrolled in a 12-week open-label study of 50 mg of naltrexone with four sessions of motivational enhancement therapy. Prior to treatment, individuals completed a sweet preference test and the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale. Subjects were categorized as sweet liking (SL), n = 15, or sweet disliking (SDL), n = 25, via a standard sweet tasting paradigm. The sweet tasting results were blinded to the subjects and to treatment staff. SL status, pretreatment craving and their interaction were examined as predictors of frequency of abstinent days and heavy drinking days during treatment with naltrexone.

SL and SDL subjects achieved similar reductions in percent heavy drinking days with treatment. During treatment, SDL subjects had 48% abstinent days compared to 30% for SL subjects (P = 0.034). Pretreatment craving did not predict % heavy drinking days or % abstinent days. An interaction effect was found between the SL/SDL phenotype and pretreatment craving such that SL subjects with high craving demonstrated higher rates of percent abstinent days whereas SDL subjects with high craving demonstrated lower rates of percent abstinent days, P < 0.001.

These findings indicate that the SL/SDL phenotype may predict variation in response to naltrexone and/or counseling treatment. Furthermore, the SL/SDL phenotype may interact with craving to provide a more robust prediction of outcome with naltrexone or counseling.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: jc_garbutt@med.unc.edu
_____________________________________________________

Chronic ethanol consumption resulting in the downregulation of insulin receptor-β subunit, insulin receptor substrate-1, and glucose transporter 4 expression in rat cardiac muscles

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic ethanol intake on the expression of insulin receptor β subunit (IR-β), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) in rat cardiac muscle.

Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly classified into four groups and to each group, ethanol was administered daily at the respective doses of 0 (control, C), 0.5 g kg−1 (low ethanol, L), 2.5 g kg−1 (middle ethanol, M), and 5 g kg−1 (high ethanol, H). Twenty-two weeks later, the rats were anesthetized, and the left ventricle muscles were excised. The IR-β, IRS-1, and Glut4 mRNA levels in the cardiac muscle tissues were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); The IR-β, tyrosine phosphorylation of IR-β (PY-IR-β), IRS-1, tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 (PY-IRS-1), and Glut4 protein levels were measured by Western blotting.

Compared to the control group, the IR-β, IRS-1, and Glut4 mRNA levels in groups H and M decreased remarkably. In addition, the protein levels of IR-β, IRS-1, and Glut4 showed a corresponding decline in ethanol-treated groups, especially in group H. Moreover, the PY-IR-β and PY-IRS-1 protein levels decreased in the hearts of ethanol-treated rats with corresponding changes in the IR-β and IRS-1 protein levels.

The present study showed that chronic ethanol intake could downregulate the expression levels of IR-β, IRS-1, and Glut4 in rat cardiac muscles.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: jjzhao@medmail.com.cn
_____________________________________________

ICAP Reviews 3. Noncommercial Alcohol in Three Regions

A significant portion of alcohol produced, sold, and consumed around the world is not reflected in official statistics. This ICAP Review focuses on the prevalence of "noncommercial alcohol" in sub-Saharan Africa, central and eastern Europe, and southern Asia. "Noncommercial alcohol" is defined as traditional drinks produced for home consumption or limited local trade, unregistered and counterfeit products, and nonbeverage, or surrogate, alcohols.

The Review papers are written by regional experts familiar with local research and regional trends. Each paper provides a literature review and introduces new data. This ICAP Review contributes to a better understanding of the informal alcohol sector, identifies available local and international research, and highlights areas for further work.

Read Full Report (PDF)

_________________________________________________

Excessive alcohol consumption is blocked by glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor
Alcohol Volume 43, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 35-43

We previously found that activation of the glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) pathway in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) reduces moderate alcohol (ethanol) intake in a rat operant self-administration paradigm.

Here, we set out to assess the effect of GDNF in the VTA on excessive voluntary consumption of ethanol.

Long–Evans rats were trained to drink large quantities of a 20% ethanol solution in an intermittent-access two-bottle choice drinking paradigm. The rats were given three 24-h sessions per week, and GDNF's actions were measured when rats achieved a baseline of ethanol consumption of 5.5 g/kg/24 h.

We found that microinjection of GDNF into the VTA 10 min before the beginning of an ethanol-drinking session significantly reduced ethanol intake and preference, but did not affect total fluid intake.

We further show that GDNF greatly decreased both the first bout of excessive ethanol intake at the beginning of the session, and the later consummatory activity occurring during the dark cycle.

These data suggest that GDNF is a rapid and long-lasting inhibitor of “binge-like” ethanol consumption.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: dorit.ron@ucsf.edu
__________________________________________________

Ethanol disrupts NMDA receptor and astroglial EAAT2 modulation of Kv2.1 potassium channels in hippocampus
Alcohol Volume 43, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 45-50

Delayed-rectifier Kv2.1 channels are the principal component of voltage-sensitive K+ currents (IK) in hippocampal neurons and are critical regulators of somatodendritic excitability.

In a recent study, we demonstrated that surface trafficking and phosphorylation of Kv2.1 channels is modulated by NMDA-type glutamate receptors and that astroglial excitatory amino acid transporters 2 (EAAT2) regulate the coupling of NMDA receptors and Kv2.1 channels.

Because ethanol is known to acutely inhibit NMDA receptors, we sought to determine if NMDA receptor and astroglial EAAT2 modulation of Kv2.1 channels is impaired by ethanol in the rodent hippocampus.

As expected, bath application of NMDA to hippocampal cultures reduced the size of Kv2.1 clusters and produced a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage-dependent activation of IK that was associated with dephosphorylated Kv2.1 channels.

Ethanol, applied acutely, prevented the hyperpolarizing shift in activation of IK induced by NMDA and restored Kv2.1 clustering and phosphorylation to near control levels. Ethanol also attenuated the dephosphorylation of Kv2.1 channels produced by the EAAT2 selective inhibitor dihydrokainic acid.

These data demonstrate that acute ethanol disrupts changes in Kv2.1 channels that follow NMDA receptor activation and impairs astroglial regulation of the functional coupling between NMDA receptors and Kv2.1 channels.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: chandj@musc.edu
_____________________________________________________

Chronic ethanol consumption resulting in the downregulation of insulin receptor-β subunit, insulin receptor substrate-1, and glucose transporter 4 expression in rat cardiac muscles
Alcohol Volume 43, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 51-58

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic ethanol intake on the expression of insulin receptor β subunit (IR-β), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) in rat cardiac muscle.

Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly classified into four groups and to each group, ethanol was administered daily at the respective doses of 0 (control, C), 0.5 g kg−1 (low ethanol, L), 2.5 g kg−1 (middle ethanol, M), and 5 g kg−1 (high ethanol, H). Twenty-two weeks later, the rats were anesthetized, and the left ventricle muscles were excised. The IR-β, IRS-1, and Glut4 mRNA levels in the cardiac muscle tissues were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); The IR-β, tyrosine phosphorylation of IR-β (PY-IR-β), IRS-1, tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 (PY-IRS-1), and Glut4 protein levels were measured by Western blotting.

Compared to the control group, the IR-β, IRS-1, and Glut4 mRNA levels in groups H and M decreased remarkably. In addition, the protein levels of IR-β, IRS-1, and Glut4 showed a corresponding decline in ethanol-treated groups, especially in group H. Moreover, the PY-IR-β and PY-IRS-1 protein levels decreased in the hearts of ethanol-treated rats with corresponding changes in the IR-β and IRS-1 protein levels.

The present study showed that chronic ethanol intake could downregulate the expression levels of IR-β, IRS-1, and Glut4 in rat cardiac muscles.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: jjzhao@medmail.com.cn
__________________________________________________

Effect of exercise training on ethanol-induced oxidative damage in aged rats

Alcohol Volume 43, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 59-64

It is well known that lipid peroxidation increases with age, and alcohol drinking further exacerbates this damage.

The present study determined the effect of regular exercise training on alcohol-induced oxidative damage and antioxidant status in the liver of aged animals.

The age-matched Wistar albino rats (3 months young, n = 24; 18 months old, n = 24) were evenly divided into four groups: control (C), exercise trained (Ex), ethanol drinking (Et), and exercise plus ethanol drinking (Ex + Et).

With ethanol drinking, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly elevated above control (P < .001), whereas glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) contents were significantly decreased below control. These changes were found to be greater in the aged rats than those of the young rats. For both age groups, exercise training significantly reversed the increase in MDA and decreases in GSH and ascorbic acid induced by ethanol drinking.

The present study showed that ethanol-induced deterioration in lipid peroxidation and reduction in antioxidant status in the liver were exacerbated with age. Here, we found that exercise training significantly reversed the adverse conditions that were caused by ethanol in aged rats.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: sathyakreddy@hotmail.com

_______________________________________________

Alcohol consumption and lipodystrophy in HIV-infected adults with alcohol problems

Alcohol Volume 43, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 65-71

Lipodystrophy is a common long-term complication of HIV infection that may lead to decreased quality of life and less adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). A complete understanding of the etiology of HIV-associated lipodystrophy has not yet been achieved, although factors related to the virus, per se, and use of ART appear to be related.

Alcohol use is common among HIV-infected patients and has biological effects on fat distribution, yet alcohol's relationship to HIV-associated lipodystrophy has not been examined.

The goal of this clinical study was to assess the effect of alcohol consumption on lipodystrophy in HIV-infected adults with alcohol problems. This was a prospective study (2001–2006) of 289 HIV-infected persons with alcohol problems. The primary outcome was self-reported lipodystrophy, which was assessed at one time point (median 29 months after enrollment). Alcohol use was assessed every 6 months and classified as: abstinent at all interviews; ≥1 report of moderate drinking but no heavy drinking; 1 or 2 reports of heavy drinking; or ≥3 reports of heavy drinking. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to the data.

Fifty-two percent (150/289) of subjects reported lipodystrophy. Alcohol consumption was: 34% abstinent at all interviews; 12% ≥1 report of moderate drinking, but no heavy drinking; 34% 1–2 reports of heavy drinking; and 20% ≥3 reports of heavy drinking. Although not statistically significant, subjects with alcohol use had a higher odds of lipodystrophy (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence interval: ≥1 report of moderate drinking, 2.36 [0.89, 6.24]; 1–2 reports of heavy drinking, 1.34 [0.69, 2.60]; ≥3 reports of heavy drinking, 2.07 [0.90, 4.73]).

Alcohol use may increase the odds of developing HIV-associated lipodystrophy among subjects with alcohol problems. However, larger studies are needed to fully elucidate the role and impact of alcohol consumption on the development of this common long-term complication of HIV infection and its treatment.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: dmcheng@bu.edu

________________________________________________

HTR3B is associated with alcoholism with antisocial behavior and alpha EEG power—an intermediate phenotype for alcoholism and co-morbid behaviors

Alcohol Volume 43, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 73-84

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) with co-morbid antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) have been associated with serotonin (5-HT) dysfunction. 5-HT3 receptors are potentiated by ethanol and appear to modulate reward. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists may be useful in the treatment of early-onset alcoholics with co-morbid ASPD. Low-voltage alpha electroencephalogram (EEG) power, a highly heritable trait, has been associated with both AUD and ASPD.

A recent whole genome linkage scan in one of our samples, Plains American Indians (PI), has shown a suggestive linkage peak for alpha power at the 5-HT3R locus. We tested whether genetic variation within the HTR3A and HTR3B genes influences vulnerability to AUD with comorbid ASPD (AUD + ASPD) and moderates alpha power.

Our study included three samples: 284 criminal alcoholic Finnish Caucasians and 234 controls; two independent community-ascertained samples with resting EEG recordings: a predominantly Caucasian sample of 191 individuals (Bethesda) and 306 PI. In the Finns, an intronic HTR3B SNP rs3782025 was associated with AUD + ASPD (P = .004).

In the Bethesda sample, the same allele predicted lower alpha power (P = 7.37e−5). Associations between alpha power and two other HTR3B SNPs were also observed among PI (P = .03). One haplotype in the haplotype block at the 3′ region of the gene that included rs3782025 was associated with AUD + ASPD in the Finns (P = .02) and with reduced alpha power in the Bethesda population (P = .00009). Another haplotype in this block was associated with alpha power among PI (P = .03). No associations were found for HTR3A.

Genetic variation within HTR3B may influence vulnerability to develop AUD with comorbid ASPD. 5-HT3R might contribute to the imbalance between excitation and inhibition that characterize the brain of alcoholics.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: Francesca.Ducci@iop.kcl.uk

_______________________________________________

Young People and Alcohol Guidance

The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families has launched a consultation on alcohol guidance, advice and information for parents, children, young people. We would welcome the views of children, young people, parents, carers and those organisations and professionals working with young people in health, children’s services and education settings.

Read Full Consultation Launch ____________________________________________________

National Survey of Substance AbuseTreatment Services (N-SSATS): 2007
Data on Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities

This report presents results from the 2007 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS), an annual census of facilities providing substance abuse treatment. Conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), N-SSATS is designed to collect data on the location, characteristics, and use of alcoholism and drug abuse treatment facilities and services throughout the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. jurisdictions.

Highlights

Read Full Report (PDF)

_______________________________________________

Regional WHO consultation meetings on a global alcohol strategy are starting late February
2009-01-28

Dates are now set for the regional consultation meetings between WHO and the Member States. They are part of the process towards a Global Strategy to reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol. The first meeting will take place in Bangkok in the end of February.

See dates here...





Conference on the prevention of alcohol-related harm in East Africa
2009-01-28

Arusha, Tanzania: East African conference with a strong appeal for evidence-based alcohol policies in the region.


Read more...





Professor Thomas Babor: Effective and Evidence-base Interventions to reduce Alcohol-related Harm
2009-01-26

A video presentation of the WHO sponsored study “Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity” by Professor Thomas Babor can be studied here.

Read more...




Substance use in conflict and disaster situations
2009-01-26

The UN High Commissioner on Refugees and the World Health Organization have produced a field guide for how to address alcohol and drug problems in populations affected by disaster or conflict.

Read more...


________________________________________________

Alcohol-use disorders

The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 26 January 2009

Alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse or harmful use cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Alcohol-use disorders are associated with depressive episodes, severe anxiety, insomnia, suicide, and abuse of other drugs. Continued heavy alcohol use also shortens the onset of heart disease, stroke, cancers, and liver cirrhosis, by affecting the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and immune systems.

Heavy drinking can also cause mild anterograde amnesias, temporary cognitive deficits, sleep problems, and peripheral neuropathy; cause gastrointestinal problems; decrease bone density and production of blood cells; and cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol-use disorders complicate assessment and treatment of other medical and psychiatric problems.

Standard criteria for alcohol dependence—the more severe disorder—can be used to reliably identify people for whom drinking causes major physiological consequences and persistent impairment of quality of life and ability to function. Clinicians should routinely screen for alcohol disorders, using clinical interviews, questionnaires, blood tests, or a combination of these methods.

Causes include environmental factors and specific genes that affect the risk of alcohol-use disorders, including genes for enzymes that metabolise alcohol, such as alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase; those associated with disinhibition; and those that confer a low sensitivity to alcohol.

Treatment can include motivational interviewing to help people to evaluate their situations, brief interventions to facilitate more healthy behaviours, detoxification to address withdrawal symptoms, cognitive-behavioural therapies to avoid relapses, and judicious use of drugs to diminish cravings or discourage relapses.

Read Full Summary

Request Reprint E-Mail: mschuckit@ucsd.edu
___________________________________________________

Childhood sleep problems, early onset of substance use and behavioral problems in adolescence

Sleep Medicine Article in Press, 12 January 2009

Very few prospective studies examine the relationship between childhood sleep problems and subsequent substance use. In this study, we examined how sleep problems at ages 3–8 predicted onset of alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use in adolescence. We also investigated the relationships between childhood sleep problems and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems

Controlling for parental alcoholism, sleep problems at ages 3-8 predicted onset of alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use among boys and onset of alcohol use among girls. Childhood sleep problems were related to maternal ratings of internalizing and externalizing problems during adolescence for both boys and girls. Adjusting for these problems did not weaken the effects of sleep problems on onset of substance use.

This is to our knowledge the first study that prospectively examines gender differences in the relationship between sleep problems and early onset of substance use. Childhood sleep problems predicted early onset of substance use for boys but not girls. If childhood sleep problems indeed increase the probability of substance use onset, greater attention by parents to sleep problems in children and adolescents would potentially have ameliorative long-term effects. Parents are encouraged to explore different ways to help their children sleep better, including obtaining information and suggestions from their primary care physicians.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: wongmari@isu.edu

_________________________________________________

Alcohol policy: battle of the binge

Published: 08 December 2008
Author: Stuart Shepherd

As drink gets cheaper and licensing hours get longer, stemming the effect on the nation's health and the NHS budget is causing headaches. Stuart Shepherd reports
. . . . .

Read More
_________________________________________________

[Commentary] ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TAXES, PRICES AND DRINKING
Addiction Volume 104 Issue 2, Pages 191 - 192


Wagenaar et al.’s [1] meta-analysis assessing the impact of price on drinking in this issue of Addiction is a true tour de force that will serve as an invaluable resource for researchers, public health practitioners, alcohol ontrol advocates and policy makers for many years to come.
. . . . .

Read Full Text (PDF)


__________________________________________________

Effects of beverage alcohol price and tax levels on drinking: a meta-analysis of 1003 estimates from 112 studies

Addiction Volume 104 Issue 2, Pages 179 - 190


We conducted a systematic review of studies examining relationships between measures of beverage alcohol tax or price levels and alcohol sales or self-reported drinking. A total of 112 studies of alcohol tax or price effects were found, containing1003 estimates of the tax/price–consumption relationship.

Simple means of reported elasticities are −0.46 for beer, −0.69 for wine and −0.80 for spirits. Meta-analytical results document the highly significant relationships (P < 0.001) between alcohol tax or price measures and indices of sales or consumption of alcohol (aggregate-level r = −0.17 for beer, −0.30 for wine, −0.29 for spirits and −0.44 for total alcohol). Price/tax also affects heavy drinking significantly (mean reported elasticity = −0.28, individual-level r = −0.01, P < 0.01), but the magnitude of effect is smaller than effects on overall drinking

A large literature establishes that beverage alcohol prices and taxes are related inversely to drinking. Effects are large compared to other prevention policies and programs. Public policies that raise prices of alcohol are an effective means to reduce drinking.


Read Full Abstract


Request Reprint E-Mail: wagenaar@gmail.com
__________________________________________________