Alcohol-related Behaviors Research Articles

Sexual alcohol expectancies moderate the relation between alcohol use and sexual behavior among men who have sex with men

BackgroundHIV transmission remains a significant health concern for men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is related to increased rates of condomless anal intercourse (CAI) among MSM, though evidence suggests that this association may vary by individual difference factors. The present secondary analysis tested whether sexual alcohol expectancies (SAEs) moderate the associations between frequency of HED and anal intercourse (AI) with and without a condom among moderate-to-heavy drinking HIV- MSM. MethodsTwo hundred and forty-eight moderate-to-heavy drinking MSM completed self-report questionnaires including the Sexual Behavior Questionnaire, the Modified Daily Drinking Questionnaire, and the Sexual Alcohol Expectancies Questionnaire. ResultsNegative binomial regressions indicated that SAEs moderated the association between frequency of HED and AI with a condom, but not between the frequency of HED and condomless AI (CAI). ConclusionsThese results suggest that stronger SAEs play a role in alcohol-related sexual behavior among MSM, but do not provide evidence that SAEs are associated with increased risk for HIV transmission through CAI.

A pilot study of the acceptability, efficacy, and iatrogenic effects of a brief dynamic norms intervention for reducing young adult alcohol use.

Alcohol use and its related consequences are a public health problem among young adults. Building upon efficacious personalized normative feedback interventions, dynamic norms can be used to highlight the decreasing prevalence of alcohol use over time among young adults' peers, thereby increasing their motivation to change drinking consistent with the trend. Because limited research has examined dynamic norms feedback interventions for alcohol use, we examined the acceptability and initial efficacy of such an intervention, and potential iatrogenic effects of showing norms feedback about drinking to light drinkers and nondrinkers. Participants were 546 unvaccinated young adults ages 18-24 who completed a baseline survey, intervention, and 1-month follow-up assessment. Participants were block randomized to receive a brief web-based dynamic norms intervention, with feedback content focused on either (a) alcohol-related behaviors (intervention) or (b) COVID-19 vaccine behaviors (the attention-matched control for the present study). On average, participants who received the alcohol intervention rated it as generally engaging, helpful, and acceptable, with the majority (90.8%) indicating that they would recommend it to a friend. Supporting initial efficacy, in generalized linear models controlling for demographics and baseline alcohol outcomes, at 1-month follow-up the alcohol intervention was associated with statistically and clinically significant reductions in all indices of perceived drinking norms, drinking quantity, drinking frequency, and driving after drinking occasions. Lighter drinkers showed no adverse iatrogenic effects. Presenting alcohol-related personalized normative feedback using dynamic trends is a promising intervention for reducing alcohol use in a community sample of young adults. Further research clarifying the optimal presentation of dynamic norms is needed.

Alcohol consumption patterns, suppliers and online alcohol marketing: Before and during COVID-19 alcohol bans

COVID-19-related alcohol sales bans and stay-at-home orders prompted the alcohol industry in South Africa to increase their online alcohol sales promotions. We investigated changes in alcohol-related behaviour and the drivers of illegal alcohol sales through a self-reported Facebook survey that ran from July to November 2020. Questions included socio-demographics and comparison of alcohol purchasing behaviour and intake during 2019 and 2020. Statistical tests were applied to find associations between illegal alcohol purchasing and alcohol-related behaviours. A total of 792 participants took part in the survey, 69.7% of whom were female. During lockdown periods, most participants (55.3%) bought alcohol illegally from illegal outlets or friends. Online alcohol-delivery marketing increased by 20 percentage points from 2019 to 2020, with participants stating that they saw a lot of advertisements per day and 80% of persons under 25 years were not asked to verify their age in 2020 upon delivery. Home-brewed beer and vodka intake increased in 2020 during the alcohol sales bans. Men from the Western Cape who engaged in daily or weekly heavy episodic drinking were more prone to purchase alcohol illegally. The Western Cape, which is South Africa’s most prolific wine-producing region, had the highest odds of people buying alcohol illegally, with wine being found to be the most frequently bought alcohol online and consumed by these participants. There is a need for further research into the differences in alcohol-related behaviour affecting illegal alcohol purchasing according to income group, proximity to alcohol producers and underage alcohol sales and marketing through online applications. Significance: Alcohol sales bans have the potential to reduce and stop the alcohol intake of moderate drinkers, but may make heavy episodic drinkers drink more than usual. During COVID-19 lockdown, illegal alcohol sales were taking place through unlicenced alcohol outlets and friends, and not through licenced online applications. Unlicenced alcohol outlets need to be addressed to prevent future illegal alcohol sales. Stricter regulations aimed at legal online alcohol sales applications should be put in place to prevent alcohol sales to minors and those who have already consumed too much alcohol. There should be a ban on marketing of addictive substances, such as alcohol.

Delving into the reducing effects of the GABAB positive allosteric modulator, KK-92A, on alcohol-related behaviors in rats.

Recent studies have demonstrated the ability of the positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the GABAB receptor (GABAB PAM), KK-92A, to suppress operant alcohol self-administration and reinstatement of alcohol seeking in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats. The present study was designed to scrutinize the suppressing effects of KK-92A on alcohol-related behaviors; to this end, four separate experiments were conducted to address just as many new research questions, some of which bear translational value. Experiment 1 found that 7-day treatment with KK-92A (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) effectively reduced alcohol intake in male sP rats exposed to the home-cage 2-bottle "alcohol (10% v/v) vs. water" choice regimen with 1 hour/day limited access, extending to excessive alcohol drinking the ability of KK-92A to suppress operant alcohol self-administration. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the ability of KK-92A to reduce lever-responding for alcohol was maintained also after acute, intragastric treatment (0, 20, and 40 mg/kg) in female sP rats trained to lever-respond for 15% (v/v) alcohol under the fixed ratio 5 schedule of reinforcement. In Experiment 3, acutely administered KK-92A (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) dampened alcohol-seeking behavior in female sP rats exposed to a single session under the extinction responding schedule. Experiment 4 used a taste reactivity test to demonstrate that acute treatment with KK-92A (0 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) did not alter either hedonic or aversive reactions to a 15% (v/v) alcohol solution in male sP rats, ruling out that KK-92A-induced reduction of alcohol drinking and self-administration could be due to alterations in alcohol palatability. Together, these results enhance the behavioral pharmacological profile of KK-92A and further strengthen the notion that GABAB PAMs may represent a novel class of ligands with therapeutic potential for treating alcohol use disorder.

75 Examining the Role of Executive Functions on the Intention-Behavior Gap of Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Use

Objective:The Temporal Self-Regulation Theory (Hall and Fong, 2007) proposes that initiation and maintenance of effortful health behaviors relies on executive functions (EF: cognitive abilities associated with goal-directed behavior). Alcohol harm reduction strategies are health behaviors that aim to minimize the likelihood or severity of consequences associated with alcohol use. Some drinkers have the intention to drink safely but lack the ability to effectively initiate and execute the harm reduction behaviors. Executive functions may be one mechanism that helps explain the gap between safe drinking intentions and behavior. Specific components of EF may be differentially associated with alcohol harm reduction strategy use; working memory and set-shifting may be especially important in planning and following through with alcohol harm reduction strategies, and individuals with greater working memory capacity and set-shifting abilities may be more successful in implementing strategies that require preplanning and have a focus on altering typical the manner of drinking (e.g., not mixing types of alcohol). Inhibition may be important for resisting temptations that are inconsistent with safe drinking goals, and those with stronger inhibitory control may be more likely to follow through with strategies that require withholding responses despite desire to engage in the behavior, such as stopping or limiting drinking (e.g., not exceeding a predetermined number of drinks).Participants and Methods:Using ecological momentary assessment, the current study explored the extent to which an intention-behavior gap in harm reduction strategy use exists among college student drinkers (n=77), and investigated how potential individual differences in EF (i.e., working memory, set-shifting, and inhibition) were associated with translating intentions of drinking safely into action. Daily monitoring assessments contained brief measures of intention to use harm reduction strategies, actual strategy use, and alcohol-related behaviors, and were assessed daily for twenty-one days.Results:Multilevel model analyses revealed that although intention to use strategies predicted actual strategy use, measures of EF did not significantly moderate the relationship. Exploratory analyses indicated that set-shifting significantly moderated the intention-behavior gap for a subset of harm reduction strategies that relies more heavily on modifying behavior during a drinking event. Set-shifting did not significantly moderate the intention-behavior gap for a subset of strategies that relies more heavily on pre-planning before the drinking event.Conclusions:Findings from the current study suggests that those who plan to use strategies typically follow through regardless of individual differences in EF. Efforts to increase intention to drink safely can be incorporated into existing alcohol prevention and intervention programs, which would likely lead to increased use of harm reduction strategies and decreased alcohol-related consequences.

Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST) neurons containing the serotonin 5HT2c receptor modulate operant alcohol self-administration behavior in mice.

The serotonin 5HT2c receptor has been widely implicated in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD), particularly alcohol seeking and the affective consequences of chronic alcohol consumption. However, little is known about the brain sites in which 5HT2c exerts its effects on specific alcohol-related behaviors, especially in females. Here, we investigated the effects of site-specific manipulation of the 5HT2c receptor system in the BNST on operant alcohol self-administration behaviors in adult mice of both sexes, including the acquisition and maintenance of fixed-ratio responding, motivation for alcohol (progressive ratio), and quinine-adulterated responding for alcohol on a fixed-ratio schedule (punished alcohol seeking). Knockdown of 5HT2c in the BNST did not affect the acquisition or maintenance of operant alcohol self-administration, nor did it affect progressive ratio responding for alcohol. This manipulation had only a subtle effect on responding for quinine alcohol selectively in females. On the other hand, chemogenetic inhibition of BNST 5HT2c-containing neurons (BNST5HT2c) increased operant alcohol self-administration behavior in both sexes on day 2, but not day 9, of testing. It also increased operant responding for 1000 μM quinine-adulterated alcohol selectively in males. Importantly, chemogenetic inhibition of BNST5HT2c did not alter operant sucrose responding or motivation for sucrose in either sex. We then performed cell-type specific anterograde tracing, which revealed that BNST5HT2c project to similar regions in males and females, many of which have been previously implicated in AUD. We next used chemogenetics and quantification of the immediate early gene cFos to characterize the functional influence of BNST5HT2c inhibition on vlPAG activity. We show that chemogenetic inhibition of BNST5HT2c reduces vlPAG cFos in both sexes, but that this reduction is more robust in males. Together these findings suggest that BNST5HT2c neurons, and to a small extent the BNST 5HT2c receptor, serve to promote aversive responses to alcohol consumption, potentially through sex-dependent disinhibition of vlPAG neurons.

Prevention of hazardous use of alcohol among high school students: a study protocol for the randomized controlled trial ‘Our choice’

BackgroundAdolescent hazardous alcohol use is prevalent and has serious short- and long-term consequences. The trial ‘Our Choice’ examines efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of prevention interventions targeting school, parent, and student levels at Danish high schools. We hypothesize that students in a structural intervention (school and parent levels) reduce hazardous alcohol use and related health behaviors compared to students in an assessment only control group 12 months post baseline; and that adding group-based Motivational Interviewing (group MI) yields further improvements. The study examines the efficacy of interventions targeting multiple levels with the aim of providing novel insights into prevention of adolescent hazardous alcohol use and related health outcomes.MethodThe study employs a parallel group cluster randomized controlled trial design with three conditions: (1) structural condition targeting school and parent levels, (2) structural condition combined with group MI which also targets the student level, and (3) assessment-only control condition. A participatory approach is used to adapt and develop interventions. Sixteen high schools in Denmark and about N = 3100 first-year students (15–18 years) enrolled in high school in August 2023 will be recruited. Data will be collected via online questionnaires pre-interventions (baseline), 2, 6, 9 and 12 month post baseline and analyzed with generalized linear mixed models. The primary outcome is past month high intensity drinking; secondary outcomes are alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, well-being, tobacco, and illegal substance use. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed via surveys (students) and interviews (high school staff) to inform future implementation.Discussion‘Our Choice’ is the first trial to compare the efficacy of a structural intervention targeting school- and parent levels to an intervention targeting these levels and the student level via group MI – on hazardous drinking and related health outcomes among students. Preventing and reducing hazardous alcohol use during adolescence is crucial due to the short- and long-term negative consequences. The tested interventions can be implemented at low cost. The study has significant implications for adolescent health and well-being and has potential to inform evidence-based decisions on alcohol prevention policy, education, and health professions.Trial Registration NumberThe trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on August 24th, 2023. Trial Registration Number: ID NCT06018389.

Work for the Prison Service: selected health consequences - investigating the role of personal resources, job demands, work stress, and burnout.

The specific job demands of the Prison Service (PS) may affect the health of officers. The job demands-resources model (JD-R) model was used to design a survey of the consequences of working subject to particular job demands. The aim was to gain an insight into the relationship between job demands, personal resources, occupational stress and burnout and selected health consequence indicators (such as behaviors associated with the consumption of alcohol, stress symptoms). A total of 1732 PS officers in Poland were surveyed. The following tools were used as part of the survey: the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ II), the Multidimensional Inventory for Assessing Coping Responses (COPE), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and a form with a respondent's particulars. Path analysis using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was performed. The assumed hypotheses were partially confirmed by the results. Out of 4 job demands categories only work pace turned out not to be a significant predictor of burnout and stress. For alcohol related behaviors, stress level was the only significant predictor, both as a direct and indirect effect taking into account job demands. It transpired that support from superiors rather than support from colleagues or self-efficacy was a significant moderator in the emotional demands - stress relationship. Limitations of the study and perspectives for its continuation are also presented herein. Based on the obtained results it may be concluded that job demands and support from superiors do have an impact on stress in the PS group. This is also consistent with available reports in literature. At the same time stress is a significant predictor of alcohol related behaviors. Coping through the use of psychoactive substances was not a significant factor in statistical analyses and it has still not been subject to sufficient scientific analysis. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(6):744-60.

Assessing the early influence of COVID-19 in an analysis of the immediate implementation of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol on drinkers in Wales.

Background: The Welsh Government has commissioned a number of projects to consider the influence their implementation of Minimum Pricing for Alcohol (MPA) legislation in March 2020 had on the alcohol consumption and related behaviours of drinkers. Given the MPA's overlap with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdown measures and restrictions, this rapidly became a story about the early impact of COVID-19 as it did MPA. This paper captures the core thematic messages from this specific strand of work, and in doing so reflects on (1) how early experiences of COVID-19 and the first lockdown influenced consumption and purchasing of alcohol behaviours and, in turn, (2) how relevant the introduction of MPA was for any of these. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone with 32 drinkers 9 months after the implementation of the legislation in March 2020. The sample was recruited from three sources: the National Survey for Wales; a third sector organisation offering housing support to the homeless; and through an online survey on MPA. Results: COVID-19 had more relevance than MPA to drinkers. Furthermore, when MPA did have an influence on their behaviour, it was felt most keenly by the harmful drinkers in the study. These drinkers described spending more on alcohol, switching to other potentially more harmful substances, such as crack cocaine and synthetic cannabinoids, and more involvement in acquisitive crime and begging after the price increase. While our results might be an early indication of the influence of MPA on harmful drinkers, the small sample of this group in our study limits the generalisability of the findings. Conclusion: To date, the implementation of MPA has had little influence on the drinking patterns or lives of the drinkers in our sample. It is important that future research examines the longer-term influences of MPA before any conclusions on its effectiveness can be drawn.

Do patron bans reduce crime? An examination of assault offences in Western Australia, before and after the introduction of police-imposed barring notices

ABSTRACT This paper explores whether the introduction of police-imposed barring notices in Western Australia (WA) is associated with changes to the number, type and location of recorded assaults. Police-imposed barring notices were introduced in WA in January 2011, and are issued in response to alcohol-related disorderly behaviours in/around licensed venues. A barring notice can exclude the recipient from one or more licensed venues for up to one year. WA Police provided unit level records of 67,750 assault incidents occurring during high-alcohol hours – 8pm to 6am on Friday and Saturday nights – between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2020. This enabled data from before and after the introduction of barring notices to be compared. The findings identified a number of potentially positive effects of barring notices, including significant reductions (p < 0.001) in non-family assault offences marked with an alcohol flag, assault offences recorded occurring on pathways (which includes areas around licensed premises), and common assault offences marked with an alcohol flag. These categories clearly align with the intended use and effect/s of barring notices, and the findings are encouraging. The effects of other factors on offending numbers cannot be excluded, but the association between the introduction of barring notices and, in particular, a reduction in alcohol-flagged violent offending appears to support the use of barring notices in WA.

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 limits dopamine D1 receptor signaling in striatum and biases against heavy persistent alcohol drinking

The transition from hedonic alcohol drinking to problematic drinking is a hallmark of alcohol use disorder that occurs only in a subset of drinkers. This transition requires long-lasting changes in the synaptic drive and the activity of striatal neurons expressing dopamine D1 receptor (D1R). The molecular mechanisms that generate vulnerability in some individuals to undergo the transition are less understood. Here, we report that the Parkinson’s-related protein leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) modulates striatal D1R function to affect the behavioral response to alcohol and the likelihood that mice transition to heavy, persistent alcohol drinking. Constitutive deletion of the Lrrk2 gene specifically from D1R-expressing neurons potentiated D1R signaling at the cellular and synaptic level and enhanced alcohol-related behaviors and drinking. Mice with cell-specific deletion of Lrrk2 were more prone to heavy alcohol drinking, and consumption was insensitive to punishment. These findings identify a potential novel role for LRRK2 function in the striatum in promoting resilience against heavy and persistent alcohol drinking.

The Intersection between Alcohol use and Sexual Activity among Young Adult Male U.S. Service Members.

The current study explores drinking habits, preferences for alcohol use before sexual activity, and alcohol-related sexual behavior among young adult male active duty service members in the United States. Hazardous alcohol use is a significant problem among United States military service members. Whereas the association between alcohol use and sexual assault is well documented in civilian samples, less is known regarding the intersection of alcohol use and sexual activity among soldiers. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize drinking habits, preferences for alcohol use before sexual activity, and alcohol-related sexual behavior. A sample of 338 active-duty male service members between the ages of 18 and 24 were recruited from a large military post in the Southeastern United States. Constructs were assessed using self-report surveys. Participants reported consuming alcohol, on average, 5.6 times over the prior month. Average alcohol consumption was reported to be 7.8 beverages per drinking occasion. Participants reported engaging in heavy drinking an average of 2.9 times over the past 30 days. On average, service members reported a preference for 1.3 drinks before sexual activity. Furthermore, 75.2% of participants preferred to be sober during sex, and 82.1% preferred to engage in sexual activity with a sober partner. Approximately 14% of the sample reported using alcohol to improve their chances of having sex. These findings highlight high rates of alcohol use among soldiers. Nonetheless, young adult male soldiers report a preference for sexual activity while sober. Understanding the co-occurrence of alcohol use and sexual activity has the potential to inform the development of integrated alcohol and sexual assault prevention programs for service members.

Alcohol motivations associated with frequency of alcohol use, binge drinking, and alcohol problems among active duty junior enlisted soldiers and non-commissioned officers

Problematic alcohol use is a serious threat to the behavioral health of active-duty Service Members (ADSM), resulting in numerous calls from governmental agencies to better understand mechanistic factors contributing to alcohol misuse within the military. Alcohol use motives are reliable predictors of alcohol-related behaviors and are considered malleable targets for prevention and intervention efforts. However, empirical research indicates that drinking motives vary across contextually distinct populations. Although some research has been conducted among veteran and reservist populations, limited work has been specifically focused on ADSM and no research has evaluated motives and alcohol metrics among ADSM based on military rank. Participants for the current study included 682 ADSM recruited from a large military installation in the U.S. Structural equation modeling evaluated associations between four drinking motives (i.e., enhancement, social, conformity, coping) and three alcohol misuse metrics (i.e., alcohol frequency, binge frequency, alcohol problems). Three models were evaluated: one full (combined) model and two separate models based on military rank – junior enlisted (i.e., E1–E4) and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) (i.e., E5–E9). Results for junior enlisted ADSM indicated that coping and enhancement motives were most strongly associated with all alcohol misuse metrics. However, among NCOs, results indicated that alcohol problems were only associated with coping motives. Notably, results also indicated that alcohol use motives accounted for substantively more variance across all alcohol-related metrics among NCOs. Findings generally support extant military-related literature indicating use of alcohol for coping (e.g., with anxiety) as the motivation most consistently associated with increased alcohol misuse. However, novel findings highlight enhancement motives – using alcohol to attain some positive internal reward – as another, often stronger, motivation impacting alcohol use outcomes. Further, findings highlight notable distinctions between alcohol use motives (i.e., coping vs. enhancement) and the impact of alcohol use motives (i.e., effect size) on alcohol metrics between junior enlisted and NCOs.

Characterizing Twitter chatter about temporary alcohol abstinence during "Dry January".

With roots as a public health campaign in the United Kingdom, "Dry January" is a temporary alcohol abstinence initiative encouraging participants to abstain from alcohol use during the month of January. Dry January has become a cultural phenomenon, gaining increasing news media attention and social media engagement. Given the utility of capturing naturalistic discussions around health topics on social media, we examined Twitter chatter about Dry January and associated temporary abstinence experiences. Public tweets were collected containing the search terms "dry january" or "dryjanuary" posted between 15 December and 15 February across 3years (2020-2). A random subsample stratified by year (n = 3145) was pulled for manual content analysis by trained coders. Final codebook accounted for user sentiment toward Dry January, user account type, and themes related to Dry January participation. Engagement metadata (e.g. likes) were also collected. Though user sentiment was mixed, most tweets expressed positive or neutral sentiment toward Dry January (74.7%). Common themes included encouragement and support for Dry January participation (14.1%), experimentation with and promotion of nonalcoholic drinks (14.0%), and benefits derived from Dry January participation (10.4%). While there is promise in the movement to promote positive alcohol-related behavior change, increased efforts to deliver the campaign within a public health context are needed. Health communication campaigns designed to inform participants about evidence-based treatment and recovery support services proven to help people quit or cut down on their drinking are likely to maximize benefits.

A qualitative analysis of adolescents' perspectives on peer and influencer alcohol-related posts on social media.

Adolescent exposure to alcohol-related content on social media is common and associated with alcohol use and perceived norms; however, little is known about how exposure differs by the source of the content (e.g., peer or 'influencer'). The purpose of this study was to utilise qualitative methods to compare adolescent perspectives on peer- versus influencer-generated alcohol content on social media. Nine virtual semi-structured focus groups were conducted with adolescents (aged 15-19 years), following a general script aimed at ascertaining adolescent comparative perspectives on peer and influencer alcohol-related media content and the contexts in which it occurs. Five main themes emerged: (i) although both influencers and peers post predominantly positively-valenced alcohol content online, adolescents perceived some differences between these posts; (ii) adolescents perceived their peers to be more cautious and strategic when posting about alcohol than influencers are; (iii) the decision to engage with peer or influencer alcohol-related posts is influenced by a number of factors; (iv) both peer and influencer posts were perceived to send the message that drinking is acceptable, normal or cool; and (v) adolescents believed they are more likely to be influenced by peers' alcohol posts than influencers' alcohol posts, with some exceptions. Future studies should aim to further understand the unique attributes and circumstances in which exposure to peer and influencer alcohol-related posts impact adolescent alcohol-related cognitions and behaviours. This knowledge will inform prevention and intervention efforts, such as media literacy training and media-specific parenting practices.

Associations between alcohol demand, delayed reward discounting, and high-intensity drinking in a diverse emerging adult sample.

The high-intensity drinking threshold (HID; 8+/10+ drinks for women/men) is more strongly associated with significant alcohol-related health consequences than the more common heavy episodic drinking threshold (HED; 4+/5+ drinks for women/men). Behavioral economic measures of alcohol reward value (demand) and delayed reward discounting (DRD) have shown associations with other alcohol-related risk behaviors and may contribute to efforts to identify individuals who are at risk for HID from the larger subgroup of at-risk drinkers who engage in HED. Logistic regression analyses tested if alcohol demand and DRD were associated with HID in a sample of 477 emerging adults who reported recent heavy drinking. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses were conducted to test these variables' ability to classify HID group membership and to select an optimal cutoff score. In logistic regression analyses controlling for typical weekly drinking, demographics, and other variables associated with HID, participants reporting higher demand intensity (amount of alcohol purchased when price is zero; Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 20.27, 95% CI [5.71, 71.91]) and lower demand elasticity (sensitivity of alcohol consumption to increases in cost; AOR = .29, 95% CI [.11, 72]) were more likely to report HID relative to HED. Omax (maximum alcohol expenditure) and DRD were associated with HID in bivariate, but not in multivariate models. The ROC analysis provided support for an intensity cutoff of 7.5 or higher. These findings suggest that brief alcohol demand curve measures, in particular demand intensity and elasticity, may have utility in identifying individuals who are at risk for HID. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining Risk for Sexual Assault Among Bisexuals

The current study examines rates of victimization by sexual orientation disaggregated by sex (female = 7,972; male = 6,985) using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health data (wave IV). Results from design-adjusted logistic regression analyses indicate bisexual people, regardless of sex, are most at risk for forced sexual assault. While women, especially bisexual women, had higher rates of sexual victimization, differences in risk were larger for bisexual men versus straight men than for bisexual women versus straight women. Bisexual respondents were likely to engage in alcohol-related risky behaviors, lifestyle factors did not fully account for differences in victimization risk among bisexuals. Results highlight the need for awareness, prevention, and intervention policies, particularly with regard to bisexual identities.

Association of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) and cigarette solo and dual use with alcohol-related consequences among US adults

IntroductionResearch reports a robust association between combustible cigarette use and alcohol use frequency and severity. Extension to the emerging landscape of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use is needed to inform prevention and treatment strategies. MethodWe evaluated data from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Respondents included adults reporting cigarettes or ENDS solo or dual use. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated associations with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-related risky behavior (i.e., heavy drinking, binge alcohol use, and driving after drinking) compared to never use controls and respondents with a history, but not current, use of cigarettes or ENDS. ResultsMultivariable models showed greater odds of AUD for respondents with dual ENDS and cigarette use (AOR = 10.2), ENDS use (AOR = 6.27), cigarette use (AOR = 4.45), and a history, but not ongoing, use (AOR = 2.60) relative to respondents with no use history. Similarly, respondents with dual use (AOR = 3.94), ENDS use (AOR = 2.41), and cigarette use (AOR = 1.71) had greater odds of AUD relative to those with a history of, but not ongoing, use. The association between dual use and AUD was greater for adults ages 21–25 (AOR = 16.2) than for adults over 25 (AOR = 7.82). Cigarette and ENDS solo and dual-use were similarly associated with greater odds of alcohol-related risky behavior relative to control groups. ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that nicotine use and dual use may be associated with indicators of problematic drinking. These results offer insight into emerging licit polysubstance profiles and call for mechanistic research to inform prevention and intervention efforts.

Mapping Studies of Alcohol Use Among People Living with HIV/AIDS During 1990-2019 (GAPRESEARCH).

Alcohol drinking has long been reported to be common in people living with HIV/AIDS, having biological and behavioral impacts on the transmission, progression, and prevention of HIV/AIDS. A total of 7059 eligible articles and reviews published in English from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the WOS. Results show an increase in publication volume, while citations peak for papers published in 2006. Content analysis reveals a wide-ranging coverage of topics, with the most popular being effects of alcohol consumption on ART adherence and outcomes, alcohol-related sexual behaviors, TB co-infection, and psycho-socio-cultural considerations in examining and designing measures targeting alcohol use and interventions to reduce alcohol dependence in PLWHA. This calls for more active engagement of governments in research and in designing and implementing interventions, as well as collaborations and knowledge transfer from high-income countries to developing counterparts, to effectively address alcohol use-related issues in PLWHA, moving toward the HIV/AIDS eradication target.

Somatostatin signaling modulates binge drinking behavior via the central nucleus of the amygdala

Somatostatin (SST) is a neuropeptide widely expressed in the central nervous system with dense expression in limbic regions such as the extended amygdala. It has recently gained attention for playing a role in modulating alcohol use disorders and co-morbid neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the role of SST in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), a key region for neuropeptide regulation of alcohol and anxiety related behaviors, in alcohol consumption has not been assessed. In this work we perform an initial examination of the interaction between the CeA SST system and binge ethanol intake. Binge intake is a dangerous pattern of excessive ethanol consumption associated with health complications and the transition into alcohol dependence. We use the Drinking in the Dark (DID) model of binge intake in C57BL/6J male and female mice to examine: 1) the impact of 3 DID cycles on CeA SST expression; 2) the effect of intra-CeA SST injection on binge-like ethanol consumption; and 3) if the SST receptor 2 or 4 (SST2R or SST4R) mediate any effect on consumption. Our results show binge-like ethanol intake decreases SST expression in the CeA, but not neighboring basolateral amygdala. We further found intra-SST CeA administration reduces binge ethanol intake. This decrease was replicated by the administration of an SST4R agonist. These effects were not sex-dependent. Overall, this work lends further support for SST playing a role in alcohol related behaviors and as a potential therapeutic target.