Alcohol-related Behaviors Research Articles

Reducing Effect of the Novel Positive Allosteric Modulator of the GABAB Receptor, KK-92A, on Multiple Alcohol-Related Behaviors in Alcohol-Preferring Rats

Reducing Effect of the Novel Positive Allosteric Modulator of the GABAB Receptor, KK-92A, on Multiple Alcohol-Related Behaviors in Alcohol-Preferring Rats

Use of an Automated Bilingual Digital Health Tool to Reduce Unhealthy Alcohol Use Among Latino Emergency Department Patients

Alcohol use disorders have a high disease burden among US Latino groups. In this population, health disparities persist, and high-risk drinking has been increasing. Effective bilingual and culturally adapted brief interventions are needed to identify and reduce disease burden. To compare the effectiveness of an automated bilingual computerized alcohol screening and intervention (AB-CASI) digital health tool with standard care for the reduction of alcohol consumption among US adult Latino emergency department (ED) patients with unhealthy drinking. This bilingual unblinded parallel-group randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of AB-CASI vs standard care among 840 self-identified adult Latino ED patients with unhealthy drinking (representing the full spectrum of unhealthy drinking). The study was conducted from October 29, 2014, to May 1, 2020, at the ED of a large urban community tertiary care center in the northeastern US that was verified as a level II trauma center by the American College of Surgeons. Data were analyzed from May 14, 2020, to November 24, 2020. Patients randomized to the intervention group received AB-CASI, which included alcohol screening and a structured interactive brief negotiated interview in their preferred language (English or Spanish) while in the ED. Patients randomized to the standard care group received standard emergency medical care, including an informational sheet with recommended primary care follow-up. The primary outcome was the self-reported number of binge drinking episodes within the last 28 days, assessed by the timeline followback method at 12 months after randomization. Among 840 self-identified adult Latino ED patients (mean [SD] age, 36.2 [11.2] years; 433 [51.5%] male; and 697 [83.0%] of Puerto Rican descent), 418 were randomized to the AB-CASI group and 422 to the standard care group. A total of 443 patients (52.7%) chose Spanish as their preferred language at enrollment. At 12 months, the number of binge drinking episodes within the last 28 days was significantly lower in those receiving AB-CASI (3.2; 95% CI, 2.7-3.8) vs standard care (4.0; 95% CI, 3.4-4.7; relative difference [RD], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64-0.99). Alcohol-related adverse health behaviors and consequences were similar between groups. The effect of AB-CASI was modified by age; at 12 months, the relative reduction in the number of binge drinking episodes within the last 28 days in the AB-CASI vs standard care group was 30% in participants older than 25 years (RD, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54-0.89) compared with an increase of 40% in participants 25 years or younger (RD, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.85-2.31; P = .01 for interaction). In this study, US adult Latino ED patients who received AB-CASI had a significant reduction in the number of binge drinking episodes within the last 28 days at 12 months after randomization. These findings suggest that AB-CASI is a viable brief intervention that overcomes known procedural barriers to ED screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment and directly addresses alcohol-related health disparities. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02247388.

Insula Dynorphin and Kappa Opioid Receptor Systems Regulate Alcohol Drinking in a Sex-Specific Manner in Mice.

Alcohol use disorder is complex and multifaceted, involving the coordination of multiple signaling systems across numerous brain regions. Previous work has indicated that both the insular cortex and dynorphin (DYN)/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) systems contribute to excessive alcohol use. More recently, we identified a microcircuit in the medial aspect of the insular cortex that signals through DYN/KOR. Here, we explored the role of insula DYN/KOR circuit components on alcohol intake in a long-term intermittent access (IA) procedure. Using a combination of conditional knock-out strategies and site-directed pharmacology, we discovered distinct and sex-specific roles for insula DYN and KOR in alcohol drinking and related behavior. Our findings show that insula DYN deletion blocked escalated consumption and decreased the overall intake of and preference for alcohol in male and female mice. This effect was specific to alcohol in male mice, as DYN deletion did not impact sucrose intake. Further, insula KOR antagonism reduced alcohol intake and preference during the early phase of IA in male mice only. Alcohol consumption was not affected by insula KOR knockout in either sex. In addition, we found that long-term IA decreased the intrinsic excitability of DYN and deep layer pyramidal neurons (DLPNs) in the insula of male mice. Excitatory synaptic transmission was also impacted by IA, as it drove an increase in excitatory synaptic drive in both DYN neurons and DLPNs. Combined, our findings suggest there is a dynamic interplay between excessive alcohol consumption and insula DYN/KOR microcircuitry.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The insular cortex is a complex region that serves as an integratory hub for sensory inputs. In our previous work, we identified a microcircuit in the insula that signals through the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and its endogenous ligand dynorphin (DYN). Both the insula and DYN/KOR systems have been implicated in excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here, we use converging approaches to determine how insula DYN/KOR microcircuit components contribute to escalated alcohol consumption. Our findings show that insula DYN/KOR systems regulate distinct phases of alcohol consumption in a sex-specific manner, which may contribute to the progression to AUD.

A latent profile analysis of blackout drinking behavior among young adults

BackgroundBlackout drinking, or alcohol-induced memory loss during a drinking occasion, is associated with additional negative alcohol-related outcomes. Brief motivational interventions targeting higher-risk alcohol use behavior have largely ignored blackout drinking. Including personalized information on blackout drinking could maximize intervention impact. To move toward incorporating content on blackout drinking in prevention and intervention materials, it is imperative to understand individual-level differences in blackout drinking. The current study aimed to identify latent profiles of young adults based on blackout drinking experiences and to examine person-level predictors and outcomes associated with profile membership. MethodParticipants were 542 young adults (ages 18–30) who reported 1+ past-year blackout episodes. Fifty-three percent of participants were female and 64% identified as non-Hispanic/Latinx white. ResultsFour latent profiles were identified based on blackout drinking frequency, blackout intentions, blackout expectancies, and age of first blackout: Low-Risk Blackout (35% of the sample), Experimental Blackout (23%), At-Risk Blackout (16%), and High-Risk Blackout (26%). Profiles varied by demographic, personality, and cognition- and alcohol-related behaviors. Notably, At-Risk and High-Risk Blackout profiles had the highest alcohol use disorder risk, most memory lapses and cognitive concerns, and highest levels of impulsivity traits. ConclusionsFindings support the multifaceted nature of blackout drinking experiences and perceptions. Profiles were differentiated across person-level predictors and outcomes, which identify potential intervention targets and individuals at heightened alcohol-related risk. A more comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of blackout drinking characteristics may be useful for early detection and intervention of problematic alcohol use predictors and patterns among young adults.

Is minimum unit pricing for alcohol having the intended effects on alcohol consumption in Scotland?

The Scottish Government introduced minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol on 1 May 2018. This means retailers in Scotland cannot sell alcohol to consumers for less than £0.50 per unit (1 UK unit = 8g ethanol). The Government intended the policy to increase the price of cheap alcohol, cut alcohol consumption overall and particularly among those drinking at hazardous or harmful levels, and ultimately reduce alcohol-related harm. This paper aims to summarise and assess the evidence to date evaluating the impact of MUP on alcohol consumption and related behaviours in Scotland. Evidence from analyses of population-level sales data suggest, all else being equal, MUP reduced the volume of alcohol sold in Scotland by ~ 3.0% to 3.5%, with the largest reductions affecting cider and spirits sales. Analyses of two time series datasets on household-level alcohol purchasing and individual-level alcohol consumption suggest reductions in purchasing and consumption among those drinking at hazardous and harmful levels, but offer conflicting results for those drinking at the most harmful levels. These subgroup analyses are methodologically robust, but the underlying datasets have important limitations as they rely on non-random sampling strategies. Further studies identified no clear evidence of reduced alcohol consumption among those with alcohol dependence or those presenting to emergency departments and sexual health clinics, some evidence of increased financial strain among people with dependence and no evidence of wider negative outcomes arising from changes in alcohol consumption behaviours. Minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland has led to reduced consumption, including among heavier drinkers. However, there is uncertainty regarding its impact on those at greatest risk and some limited evidence of negative outcomes, specifically financial strain, among people with alcohol dependence.

Changes in alcohol-related perceptions and behaviour among Vietnamese early career doctors after graduation.

Vietnamese medical students believe becoming "strong" drinkers is important for their future career working as doctor. However, it is unclear if this is a temporary behaviour associated with life as a student, or a phenomenon associated with the transition to working as a medical practitioner. This study explored changes in alcohol-related perceptions and behaviour among Vietnamese early career doctors working after graduation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 Vietnamese early career doctors in Hanoi city. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Vietnamese early career doctors perceived binge drinking as common among doctors, especially male doctors, surgeons, and preventive medicine doctors. This perception was different from when they were medical students because, at that time, they believed doctors would not drink alcohol at hazardous levels. Additionally, Vietnamese early career doctors' drinking behaviour changed in the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption after graduation due to peer pressure, job stress, working collaborations, and working environment. Vietnamese early career doctors changed their alcohol-related perceptions and behaviour after graduation. Gender, mental health (stress), factors related to the working environment, and the role of professional relationships should be considered in strategies to reduce risky alcohol consumption among Vietnamese early career doctors.

The impact of tableside ordering technologies on alcohol sales to the intoxicated.

The impact of tableside ordering technologies on alcohol sales to the intoxicated.

Measures of self-reported identity associated with sex and gender: Relations with collegiate drinking.

Quantitative research has typically relied on categorical measures of sex assigned at birth (SAAB) and gender, with heterogeneous findings in terms of their associations with alcohol-related behavior. This investigation examined continuous indices of self-identification as an alternative to categorical operationalizations in alcohol research. Eight hundred ninety-three undergraduate students (74.6% cisgender women, 20.3% cisgender men, 3.9% nonbinary, and 1.2% transgender), recruited from the Midwest and Pacific Northwest of the United States, completed online measures of SAAB (male/female), gender (categorical), continuous indices of identification (femaleness, maleness, and bidirectional), and alcohol consumption (Cahalan Indices; Daily Drinking Questionnaire-Revised; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT]). Novel continuous measures of identification were associated with categorical indices of SAAB and gender as predicted. While none of the self-identification indices (continuous or categorical) predicted current drinking (consumption in the past 30 days), they evidenced relatively consistent, albeit small effects, across quantity-frequency of drinking and AUDIT scores for current drinkers. Higher scores on maleness and bidirectional indices of identification were associated with greater consumption, while greater endorsement of femaleness and being a cisgender woman (vs. a cisgender man) were related to less drinking. Continuous self-reported identification items performed well when describing drinking behavior in college students. The inclusion of dimensional scales of identity broadens our ability to capture differing self-conceptualizations in research.

Chemical Genetic Identification of PKC Epsilon Substrates in Mouse Brain

PKC epsilon (PKCε) plays important roles in behavioral responses to alcohol and in anxiety-like behavior in rodents, making it a potential drug target for reducing alcohol consumption and anxiety. Identifying signals downstream of PKCε could reveal additional targets and strategies for interfering with PKCε signaling. We used a chemical genetic screen combined with mass spectrometry to identify direct substrates of PKCε in mouse brain and validated findings for 39 of them using peptide arrays and invitro kinase assays. Prioritizing substrates with several public databases such as LINCS-L1000, STRING, GeneFriends, and GeneMAINA predicted interactions between these putative substrates and PKCε and identified substrates associated with alcohol-related behaviors, actions of benzodiazepines, and chronic stress. The 39 substrates could be broadly classified in three functional categories: cytoskeletal regulation, morphogenesis, and synaptic function. These results provide a list of brain PKCε substrates, many of which are novel, for future investigation to determine the role of PKCε signaling in alcohol responses, anxiety, responses to stress, and other related behaviors.

Women, Home, and Alcohol: Constructed Façades and Social Norms in Nineteenth-Century Polish and British Representations of Female Drinking Practices

Abstract Drinking practices are closely connected to human geography. No matter whether we choose to drink in public, private, or secretly, where we drink is closely connected to how and what we drink. Alcohol-related behaviour by women, enacted at home, can undermine or challenge social norms. However, the transgressive nature of drinking could lead to physical exile or the masking of women’s desire for self-determination. We explore how the social construct of the respectable, decent home relied heavily on façades to ‘keep up appearances’. We demonstrate the place of alcohol in building these façades, and revealing them for what they were. Alcohol in this context was much more than a simple relief for women whether they were a stressed entrepreneur, a violent spinster, or a suicidal mistress. The tensions between the actions of the eight figures examined and the expectations of patriarchal culture represented in these façades demonstrate the extent to which society shaped women’s behaviour towards alcohol in Poland and Britain in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Neuronal chemokine concentration gradients mediate effects of embryonic ethanol exposure on ectopic hypocretin/orexin neurons and behavior in zebrafish

Embryonic ethanol exposure in zebrafish and rats, while stimulating hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt) neurons along with alcohol consumption and related behaviors, increases the chemokine receptor Cxcr4 that promotes neuronal migration and may mediate ethanol’s effects on neuronal development. Here we performed a more detailed anatomical analysis in zebrafish of ethanol’s effects on the Cxcl12a/Cxcr4b system throughout the entire brain as it relates to Hcrt neurons developing within the anterior hypothalamus (AH) where they are normally located. We found that ethanol increased these Hcrt neurons only in the anterior part of the AH and induced ectopic Hcrt neurons further anterior in the preoptic area, and these effects along with ethanol-induced behaviors were completely blocked by a Cxcr4 antagonist. Analysis of cxcl12a transcripts and internalized Cxcr4b receptors throughout the brain showed they both exhibited natural posterior-to-anterior concentration gradients, with levels lowest in the posterior AH and highest in the anterior telencephalon. While stimulating their density in all areas and maintaining these gradients, ethanol increased chemokine expression only in the more anterior and ectopic Hcrt neurons, effects blocked by the Cxcr4 antagonist. These findings demonstrate how increased chemokine expression acting along natural gradients mediates ethanol-induced anterior migration of ectopic Hcrt neurons and behavioral disturbances.

The Relationship Between Oxytocin and Alcohol Dependence.

The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is well known for its prosocial, anxiolytic, and ameliorating effects on various psychiatric conditions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD). In this chapter, we will first introduce the basic neurophysiology of the OT system and its interaction with other neuromodulatory and neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Next, we provide an overview over the current state of research examining the effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on the OT system as well as the effects of OT system manipulation on alcohol-related behaviors in rodents and humans. In rodent models of AUD, OT has been repeatedly shown to reduce ethanol consumption, particularly in models of acute alcohol exposure. In humans however, the results of OT administration on alcohol-related behaviors are promising but not yet conclusive. Therefore, we further discuss several physiological and methodological limitations to the effective application of OT in the clinic and how they may be mitigated by the application of synthetic OT receptor (OTR) agonists. Finally, we discuss the potential efficacy of cutting-edge pharmacology and gene therapies designed to specifically enhance endogenous OT release and thereby rescue deficient expression of OT in the brains of patients with severe forms of AUD and other incurable mental disorders.

Attitudes towards alcohol consumption and related behaviours among inhabitants of Kępno district in Poland

Attitudes towards alcohol consumption and related behaviours among inhabitants of Kępno district in Poland

Alcohol use and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors among Members of a Latino Migrant Worker Community in Central Florida

Background: Latino and Latina migrant workers constitute a vast amount of the agricultural workforce within the United States. A few studies indicate that a significant segment of the Latino migrant worker population in the United States is at high risk for alcohol abuse and related high-risk behaviors. Information about the prevalence of alcohol use and abuse and its association with high-risk sexual behaviors is needed to design effective prevention strategies in this underserved population. Aims: To assess the association between alcohol use and high-risk sexual behaviors in this population. Methods: Cross-sectional data was obtained from March 2018 through December 2019 as part of a study entitled “Project Salud: HIV Prevention among Latino Migrant Workers in Florida.” Study participants were recruited from neighborhoods and migrant camps in the Immokalee area in Central Florida by means of a stratified network-based (snowball) sampling design. Of the 782 screened participants, 671 (86%) met eligibility criteria and consented to participate in the study. Participants were grouped based on ‘‘no alcohol use” “alcohol use” and ‘‘binge drinking.” Results: More than one-third (36.2%) of the sample reported no alcohol use during the last 30 days prior to the interview. The rest of study participants reported alcohol use (28.5%) and binge drinking (35.3%). Binge drinking was more common among male participants compared to their female counterparts (41.6% vs 29.6%). Among Latino migrant workers, rates of high-risk sexual behaviors in the last 30 days were generally high and did not vary as a function of alcohol use. Among Latina migrant workers, rates of vaginal sex were high for all study participants, but this behavior did not vary as a function of alcohol use. However, binge drinking was found to be significantly associated with increase rates of anal sex and multiple sex partners. Conclusion: High-risk sexual behaviors are prevalent in the Latino migrant worker community. Among Latina migrant workers, these behaviors significantly increase among those who engage in binge drinking. Further research on the intersection of alcohol use and high-risk behaviors in the Latino migrant worker community, especially among Latina migrant workers, is necessary to develop and implement appropriate interventions.

Resilience and Its Limits: The Roles of Individual Resilience, Social Capital, Racial Discrimination, and Binge Drinking on Sexual Behavior Among Black Heterosexual Men.

In response to the increased recognition of racism as a public health crisis, we assessed links between racial discrimination and HIV-related risk behavior for Black men. Specifically, using survey data from 530 Black heterosexual men (18-44years old, M = 31.0, SD = 7.8), we tested two moderated-mediation models: (1) a protective model, in which resilience and social capital protected against the indirect effect of racial discrimination on alcohol-related sexual behavior via binge drinking, and (2) a bounded model, in which racial discrimination limited the indirect effects of resilience and social capital on alcohol-related sexual behavior via binge drinking. We found support for the bounded model only. Specifically, resilience was indirectly associated with decreased alcohol-related sexual behavior via lower binge drinking when racial discrimination was low to moderately high, but not when racial discrimination was at its highest levels. Resilience was not directly associated with alcohol-related sexual behavior. Social capital was directly related to lower odds of alcohol-related sexual behavior. At high levels of racial discrimination, however, social capital was indirectly related to increased alcohol-related sexual behavior via binge drinking. High levels of racial discrimination limit beneficial effects of resilience on alcohol-related sexual behavior. Social capital maintains a beneficial effect if social bonds are not associated with binge-drinking norms or behaviors. Results highlight the limitations of individual-level resilience and the need to conceptualize and support resilience as a social-structural resource.

Sex-related impelling cues uniquely predict event-level alcohol-related sexual behavior that poses heightened risk for negative consequences among college women.

The occurrence of sexual behavior that poses heightened risk for negative outcomes (e.g., condomless sex, sex with new or unfamiliar partners) often involves drinking alcohol for social and enhancement purposes, with female college students being particularly at-risk for resulting consequences. This study examined whether alcohol use, drinking motives, and sex-related impelling cues (i.e., cues that may impel one toward engaging in sexual activity) could predict sexual behaviors that pose heightened risk for negative consequences among female undergraduates. A total of 251 drinking episodes from 56 female college students (M age = 19.66) were obtained via surveys assessing alcohol use, drinking motives, sex-related impelling cues, and sexual behaviors at the event level. Relationships between variables were examined via main effect and factorial generalized estimating equations for social, enhancement, coping, and conformity drinking motives. In each main effects model, sex-related impelling cues were the only significant predictor. Significant three-way interactions were found in the social and enhancement factorial models, such that sexual behaviors that pose heightened risk for negative consequences occurred 58.81% and 55.81% of the time, respectively, under conditions of high drinks, motives, and sex-related impelling cues. This study provides a more nuanced understanding of the circumstances under which these sexual behaviors are most likely to occur, necessitating the consideration of sex-related impelling cues in addition to previously known predictors (i.e., alcohol use and drinking motives). This knowledge may assist in developing targeted interventions designed to reduce sexual behavior that poses heightened risk for negative consequences and ultimately improve the lives of college women. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

A comprehensive examination of alcohol-related motivations among college students: Unique relations of drinking motives and motivations for drinking responsibly.

Drinking motives, or reasons people choose to drink, are well-established risk factors for alcohol use and related negative consequences. Recent research has shown utility in a self-determination theory (SDT) approach for describing motivation for engaging in behaviors that reduce the harms associated with alcohol use (i.e., drinking responsibly). In the present study, we examined the relationship between drinking motives and motivations for drinking responsibly as well as their unique and incremental associations with alcohol-related outcomes (protective behavioral strategies [PBS], consumption, and negative consequences) in two samples of college student drinkers: (a) a random sample (n = 507) recruited from a Hispanic-Serving Institution on the U.S. border with Mexico (Mage = 22.84, SD = 5.84; 67.3% female; 90.9% Hispanic) and (b) a convenience sample (n = 2,808) from Psychology Department research participation pools at 10 universities in 8 U.S. states (Mage = 20.59, SD = 4.18; 72.9% female; 58.2% non-Hispanic White). Autonomous motivations (experience of volition and choice) for drinking responsibly were negatively correlated with drinking motives, but these correlations were small-to-medium in magnitude suggesting nonredundancy between the constructs. Drinking motives were risk factors for alcohol-related outcomes, especially alcohol-related problems, and autonomous motivations for drinking responsibly were protective factors for alcohol-related outcomes, especially PBS. Both motivational constructs predicted alcohol-related outcomes beyond the other, but drinking motives generally accounted for more variance. These findings suggest that integrating motivation in relation to both drinking and drinking responsibly may lead to a better understanding of alcohol-related behaviors and the associated negative consequences among college students. Implications for college drinking interventions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The temporality and accessibility of message types (TAMT) model: Examining social media message types and the associations between exposure to alcohol and binge drinking

Scholars have indicated that social media contribute to various health-related behaviors (e.g., substance use, body dissatisfaction) among adolescents. This study adds to the literature on health-related social media effects through theoretical advances supported by empirical evidence. First, we introduce the TAMT model, in which we assess the media environment along a continuum of two dimensions: the temporality (from ephemeral to persistent) and accessibility (from private to public) of message types. By combining these dimensions, we argue that there are four message types: ephemeral private, persistent private, ephemeral public, and persistent public. Second, we draw on the TAMT model to advance our knowledge of the role of social media in alcohol-related behaviors. We expected that, due to the distinctive characteristics of the four message types, they would be differently related to alcohol references and binge drinking. Based on cross-sectional data (N = 1,636, Mage = 15, SD = 1.17), we found that moderate alcohol references are encountered across all message types, while more extreme references are more likely to be prevalent in ephemeral public and ephemeral private messages. We show that exposure to moderate and extreme alcohol use references in ephemeral private and persistent private messages was associated with a higher probability of engaging in binge drinking, whereas exposure to ephemeral public and persistent public messages was not. Ephemeral private messages played the most crucial role in the association with binge drinking. These findings illustrate the importance of broadening the scope of research to ephemeral private environments when studying health-related behaviors. While we have illustrated the usefulness of the TAMT model against the background of two specific types of alcohol references, this new model can be extended to other behaviors (e.g., sexual risk-taking behaviors, cyberbullying).

Refusal self-efficacy and alcohol-related behaviours in community samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Refusal self-efficacy and alcohol-related behaviours in community samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Changes in Alcohol-Related Behaviors and Quality of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact of Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment History.

During the pandemic, problem drinking remained low in people without alcohol use disorder (AUD) and declined in those with a history of AUD. However, alcohol craving increased in both people without AUD and those seeking treatment for AUD.