News Feature Channel: Alcohol and Alcoholism

Screening Test Can Identify Subtle Signs of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in Newborns, Potentially Facilitating Early Developmental Intervention, Study Suggests

Research Society on Alcoholism — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:00:00 EST

The developmental risk linked to mild-to-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can be identified in infants, according to a study that tested a screening tool with 130 newborns. In alcohol-exposed babies, the tool picked up subtle differences in attention and regulation that are associated with lower cognitive and motor functioning in early childhood. This finding points to a critical opportunity for early intervention and the potential for improving long-term outcomes. People exposed to alcohol in utero can face lifelong impacts on their physical growth, learning, and behavior, a constellation of symptoms known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In the US, up to 1 in 20 school-age children may be affected by FASD. FASD is typically not identified until children are in school, and misdiagnoses are common. The effects of mild-to-moderate PAE, the most common range of exposure, have been especially challenging to characterize. For the study in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental

Positive Attitudes about Moderate Drinking Reduce Alcohol-Related Harms in College Students

Research Society on Alcoholism — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:00:00 EST

College students' attitudes about their own drinking predict how much they will drink, how many alcohol-related consequences they will experience, and their odds of experiencing blackouts. A study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that when students considered drinking heavily to be positive, they tended to drink considerably more. However, when they felt limiting their drinking to a moderate number of drinks would be enjoyable and beneficial, they experienced fewer blackouts and other harmful consequences. The study authors suggest that new strategies that address students' attitudes about moderate versus heavy drinking could be effective in preventing students from harm related to alcohol use.

Alcohol Dependence Linked to History of Mental Health Problems, Attempted Suicide

Research Society on Alcoholism — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:00:00 EST

Men with alcohol dependence who also have a history of mental health issues or hazardous drug use were significantly more likely to have attempted suicide, according to a study just published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research. The large Japanese study found that one in five men being treated for alcohol dependence had a history of mental health issues, and fifteen percent had attempted suicide. The study highlights opportunities for earlier and multifaceted interventions, including suicide prevention, to address the needs of people with alcohol dependence and mental health issues.

Higher Alcohol Use Among Queer Black Sexual and Gender Minorities Linked to Drinking Behaviors in Their Social Circles, Anxiety, Latine Ethnicity, and Growing Up Exposed to Problematic Drinking

Research Society on Alcoholism — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:00:00 EST

Black sexual minority men and transgender women (sexual and gender minorities; SGM) consume more alcohol on average than people in the general population.

Young Adults in Pain Start Using Cannabis Earlier and Are More Likely to Mix It with Alcohol

Binghamton University, State University of New York — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:50:35 EST

Young adults in pain start using cannabis earlier and are more likely to mix it with alcohol, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.

A Deep Dive into Family Caregivers' Journeys Navigating Alcohol Use Disorder

Florida Atlantic University — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 08:30:44 EST

Most research focuses on helping individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and promoting abstinence, neglecting their support systems. New research uncovers the essence of the role of family caregivers of individuals with AUD. They often feel isolated and distressed due to a lack of support and resources. This emotional strain can lead to guilt and maladaptive coping strategies. Despite challenges, caregivers remain committed but often struggle with limited knowledge and rely on trial and error in their caregiving.

Are you Secretly Sabotaging Your Kidneys?

Hackensack Meridian Health — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:55:09 EST

Elliot Tapper, MD, Can Discuss Dangers of BORG Drinking Trend

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:10:00 EST

Exploring Alcohol Use and Harm Reduction Techniques Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

Toronto Metropolitan University — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:10:58 EST

Colorectal Cancer on the Rise in Younger Adults: One Woman's Journey during Pregnancy

Hackensack Meridian Health — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:50:43 EST

Colorectal cancer incidence rates continue to rise in those under age 50 -- a trend that underscores the need for increased awareness and early detection. During this Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, experts from Hackensack Meridian Health are available to discuss this trend, along with a patient diagnosed with CRC at age 37 while pregnant.

Even Modest Alcohol Use Contributes to Accelerated Brain Aging and Behavioral Inflexibility, With Deficits Evident Early in Adult Life, Study Suggests

Research Society on Alcoholism — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:00:00 EST

Alcohol use leads to earlier brain aging and impaired behavioral flexibility, with those effects detectable even among adults in their 20s and 30s, according to an innovative study. Hazardous drinking is known to be linked to cognitive-behavioral impairments, including difficulty adapting to changing circumstances. This helps explain, for example, why people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) continue to drink despite negative consequences. Evidence is growing that heavy alcohol use accelerates brain aging. It is not known, however, whether this aging effect explains the link between alcohol use and certain cognitive deficits typical of older brains. For the study in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research, investigators explored whether hazardous drinking predicted brain aging as measured by a machine learning tool and whether brain aging explained the association between alcohol use and behavioral inflexibility.

Study Links Immune System Dysfunction in Adults to Childhood Trauma and Heavy Drinking

Research Society on Alcoholism — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:00:00 EST

Adverse experiences in childhood and heavy alcohol use may alter the body's immune system. A study of adults with alcohol use disorder published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that those who had experienced trauma as children and those who drank heavily had differences in the levels of certain antibodies responsible for warding off disease.

Warning Labels about Breast Cancer Risk from Alcohol May Encourage Women to Reduce Drinking

Research Society on Alcoholism — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:00:00 EST

Messages warning about the association between alcohol use and breast cancer may be effective in alerting women to the risk and spurring them to reduce their drinking. A study of women in their twenties, published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, found that specifically designed warnings were effective in influencing women's reactions, attitudes and beliefs, and intentions to change behavior. The findings indicate that using effective health messaging on warning labels may help increase public awareness of the increased risk of developing breast cancer associated with alcohol.

Critical Need for Regulation to Protect People with Substance Use Disorder From Exploitative Marketing Practices on Social Media

Research Society on Alcoholism — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:00:00 EST

People seeking online support for addiction recovery may encounter cynical marketing by the addiction treatment industry that sometimes prioritizes financial gain over clients' health and well-being, according to a study of public discourse around substance use recovery on Twitter.

'Deaths of Despair' More than Double in the U.S. Over Two Decades

Florida Atlantic University — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:30:31 EST

A study finds a troubling rise in 'deaths of despair' in the U.S. from 1999 to 2021, using the International Classification of Diseases. These deaths, defined by 19 underlying causes such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related conditions, increased two-and-a-half-fold over two decades. By 2021, deaths of despair would have become the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., surpassing 176,000 fatalities, and ranking just behind heart disease, cancer, COVID-19 and accidents.

Study Suggests Drunk Witnesses Are Less Likely to Remember a Suspect's Face

University of Portsmouth — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 05:10:14 EST

New research has revealed that alcohol can impair the ability of eyewitnesses to accurately recall a suspect's facial features, particularly key details such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Authentic Communication Reduces Risky Teen Drinking

University of Adelaide — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 21:40:42 EST

While fear-based messaging around alcohol aimed towards teens is common practice, new research suggests a key to curbing adolescents' risky drinking behaviour is through authentic and open communication that acknowledges some of the positive aspects while warning of the negative consequences of drinking.

Semaglutide Shows Promise in Reducing Cravings for Alcohol, Heavy Drinking

University of North Carolina School of Medicine — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 19:35:54 EST

Randomized, placebo-controlled trial finds that low-dose semaglutide reduces amount of alcohol consumption, alcohol cravings, and heavy drinking days. Reductions in cigarettes per day were also seen.

Peers Influence Drinking Behavior in Mature Adults, Too, Study Says

Research Society on Alcoholism — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 04:15:21 EST

How much alcohol a person drinks is strongly linked to how much their peers drink--and not just among teens and young adults. A new study of mature adults, published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, has found that adults' social connections influence a person's drinking, both contemporaneously and over time. And, an individual's social network is more influential in changing their drinking behavior over time than other factors, such as their occupation or smoking. The study highlights the importance of understanding social connections in order to design interventions for mature adults who drink heavily.

Why Some Heavy Drinkers Develop Advanced Liver Disease, While Others Do Not

Keck Medicine of USC — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:11 EST

A new study from Keck Medicine of USC finds that heavy drinkers with either diabetes, high blood pressure or a high waist circumference are as much as twice as likely to develop advanced liver disease