Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Total Score Research Articles

Childhood trauma and alcohol misuse in college students: The moderating role of minimization

BackgroundHistory of childhood trauma as a risk factor for alcohol misuse in early adulthood is very well documented. Given the associations between childhood trauma and alcohol misuse, more work is needed to understand the factors that influence this relationship. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between childhood trauma, minimization of such events and alcohol misuse in a French college student sample. Participants and settingA convenience sampling method was used to recruit students from several colleges located in Western France. The data set included 1180 records with complete responses. MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional online survey. Data collection instruments included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short-Form (CTQ-SF) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). ResultsThe strength of the association between CTQ score and AUDIT total score was increased by minimization score (β = 0.122, p = .07). This result suggests that under-reporting childhood trauma experiences tends to increase the impact of such events on alcohol misuse. ConclusionThese findings suggest that a tendency to minimize threatening childhood events may specifically be related to increased risk of greater alcohol misuse among college students. Therefore, it may be important for clinician to assess minimization of early events in students with a history of childhood trauma.

Comparison of alcohol consumption in university students before and during the initial months of the pandemic

Introduction: Researchers diverge in relation to the possible impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the pattern of alcohol consumption among university students. The objective of this study was to compare the pattern of alcohol use among university students, one week before and three months after the beginning of the social isolation. Method: Quantitative and longitudinal study, with data collection carried out in two moments: in person on 9th, 10th and 11th of March, 2020; and online, between the months of June and July, 2020. The instruments used were sociodemographic questionnaire and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Results: 165 students answered before the pandemic and 100, among this sample, answered during the pandemic, being these students the final sample of the study. Results showed reduction in the total AUDIT score between the two moments: before, the median score was 5.9 (standard deviation = 4.96) and during the pandemic, it was 2.7 (standard deviation = 3.64). There was a significant worsening in the “mental/emotional health”, which was associated with the decrease of AUDIT score (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The pattern of alcohol use showed reduction in the second moment compared to the first one. In addition, the worsening of mental health during the beginning of social isolation was associated with the change in the pattern of alcohol consumption. It is suggested that more research should be carried out as a way to monitor possible changes in mental health and in the pattern of alcohol use in this population.

Alcohol use and its association with suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-harm in two successive, nationally representative English household samples.

Alcohol use is a risk factor for suicidal behaviour, yet the nature of the relationship is unclear. Most research on the topic is conducted in clinical populations, with few studies exploring this association across the general population. We investigated the association between specific domains of alcohol use and suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-harm in a general population sample. A total of 14 949 adults who completed the 2007 or 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey were included. We measured alcohol use with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Domains of alcohol use relating to risk categories, weekly consumption, binge drinking, dependence symptoms, harmful effects and concern from others were derived from relevant AUDIT items. Self-reported past year suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-harm were measured with the Clinical Interview Schedule, Revised. We found a linear association between total AUDIT score and outcomes. Three of six specific domains of alcohol use (dependence symptoms, harmful effects of drinking and binge drinking) were associated with increased odds of all three outcomes. There was no association of outcomes with the other domains of alcohol use. We found evidence of a linear association between total AUDIT score and suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-harm in a representative English general population sample. Our analyses suggest that where alcohol use significantly disrupts day-to-day functioning, this may underpin the relationship between alcohol use and suicide-related outcomes to a greater extent than higher alcohol consumption. Longitudinal research is needed to further understand these relationships.

Effectiveness of a Stand-alone Telephone-Delivered Intervention for Reducing Problem Alcohol Use

Despite the magnitude of alcohol use problems globally, treatment uptake remains low. Telephone-delivered interventions have potential to overcome many structural and individual barriers to help seeking, yet their effectiveness as a stand-alone treatment for problem alcohol use has not been established. To examine the effectiveness of the Ready2Change telephone-delivered intervention in reducing alcohol problem severity up to 3 months among a general population sample. This double-blind, randomized clinical trial recruited participants with an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of greater than 6 (for female participants) and 7 (for male participants) from across Australia during the period of May 25, 2018, to October 2, 2019. Telephone assessments occurred at baseline and 3 months after baseline (84.9% retention). Data collection was finalized September 2020. The telephone-based cognitive and behavioral intervention comprised 4 to 6 telephone sessions with a psychologist. The active control condition comprised four 5-minute telephone check-ins from a researcher and alcohol and stress management pamphlets. The primary outcome was change in alcohol problem severity, measured with the AUDIT total score. Drinking patterns were measured with the Timeline Followback (TLFB) instrument. This study included a total of 344 participants (mean [SD] age, 39.9 [11.4] years; range, 18-73 years; 177 male participants [51.5%]); 173 participants (50.3%) composed the intervention group, and 171 participants (49.7%) composed the active control group. Less than one-third of participants (101 [29.4%]) had previously sought alcohol treatment, despite a high mean (SD) baseline AUDIT score of 21.5 (6.3) and 218 (63.4%) scoring in the probable dependence range. For the primary intention-to-treat analyses, there was a significant decrease in AUDIT total score from baseline to 3 months in both groups (intervention group decrease, 8.22; 95% CI, 7.11-9.32; P < .001; control group decrease, 7.13; 95% CI, 6.10-8.17; P < .001), but change over time was not different between groups (difference, 1.08; 95% CI, -0.43 to 2.59; P = .16). In secondary analyses, the intervention group showed a significantly greater reduction in the AUDIT hazardous use domain relative to the control group at 3 months (difference, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.02-1.14; P = .04). A greater reduction in AUDIT total score was observed for the intervention group relative to the control group when adjusting for exposure to 2 or more sessions (difference, 3.40; 95% CI, 0.36-6.44; P = .03) but not 1 or more sessions (per-protocol analysis). Based on the primary outcome, AUDIT total score, this randomized clinical trial did not find superior effectiveness of this telephone-based cognitive and behavioral intervention compared with active control. However, the intervention was effective in reducing hazardous alcohol use and reduced alcohol problem severity when 2 or more sessions were delivered. Trial outcomes demonstrate the potential benefits of this highly scalable and accessible model of alcohol treatment. ANZCTR Identifier: ACTRN12618000828224.

Exploration of the Impact of Combining Risk Phenotypes on the Likelihood of Alcohol Problems in Young Adults.

We tested the hypothesis that high novelty seeking (NS-an externalizing trait), sweet-liking (SL-a phenotype that may reflect processing of hedonic stimuli) and initial insensitivity to the impairing effects of alcohol (SRE-A) act independently and synergistically to increase the likelihood of having alcohol-related problems in young adults. A sample of 145 young adults, ages 18-26, balanced for gender and alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) scores <8 or ≥8 were selected from a prior sample. NS, SL and SRE-A were assessed along with AUDIT score and family history of alcoholism (FH). The effect of phenotypes and their interaction on the likelihood of alcohol problems was assessed. All three phenotypes contribute to the total AUDIT score. The best-fitting model explaining 35.8% of AUDIT variance includes all three phenotypes and an interaction between NS and SL/sweet-disliking (SDL) status. The addition of FH to the model explains an additional 4% of variance in both models. Classification and regression tree analysis showed that the main phenotype influencing AUDIT score is NS. The SL/SDL phenotype is a strong modifying factor for high NS. SRE-A was shown to be a weak modifier for individuals with low NS. The evidence supports the hypothesis that the presence of multiple alcohol use disorders (AUD) risk phenotypes with different underlying neurobiological mechanisms within an individual (SL, NS and SRE-A) represents a higher likelihood for developing alcohol-related problems and may allow for a graded assessment of risk for AUD and offer the possibility for early intervention strategies.

A Real-World Study on the Use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in Men Admitted to a Psychiatric Hospital.

BackgroundThis real-world study aimed to investigate the use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in men admitted to a psychiatric hospital.Material/MethodsThe AUDIT questionnaire (10 items) was consecutively administered for a period of 3 years to male patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital (n=636). Laboratory blood tests of biochemical parameters were measured as biomarkers of alcohol consumption. Data were evaluated using linear models with mixed effects in the case of continuous dependent variables and logistic regression models with mixed effects in the case of categorical dependent variables.ResultsWe found that 45.3% of the patients had a high risk of alcohol consumption or alcohol dependence and 54.7% had a low risk of alcohol consumption. The ICD-10 diagnoses of alcohol-related disorders (F1x), psychotic disorders (F2x), affective disorders (F3x), neurotic and psychosomatic disorders (F4x) were statistically significantly associated with total AUDIT score (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant association between the total AUDIT score and length of hospitalization (P=0.004) and the incidence of suicidal thoughts (P=0.003). Plasma concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (P=0.005), aspartate aminotransferase (P<0.001), gamma glutamyltransferase (P=0.001), total cholesterol (P=0.027) and mean corpuscular value of erythrocytes (P<0.001) were statistically significantly increased with a higher AUDIT score.ConclusionsThis real-world study showed that the AUDIT questionnaire evaluated the severity of disorders caused by alcohol and their impact on comorbid mental disorders. These results may be helpful in improving targeted interventions in this group of patients.

Quality of Life and Its Correlates in Alcohol Use Disorder Patients With and Without Depression in China.

Objective: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a serious issue worldwide and frequently co-occurs with depression. However, the quality of life (QOL) of AUD patients with and without depression is not well studied in the Chinese Han population. The aim of this study was to investigate QOL and its correlates in AUD patients with and without depression in China.Methods: Five hundred and fifteen psychiatric patients diagnosed with AUD were recruited. All these patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess depression, the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to evaluate QOL and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to measure the severity of drinking.Results: Compared with AUD patients without depression, those with depression had a lower QOL in all eight domains of the SF-36 (all P < 0.001), but were more willing to have alcohol-related treatment (P < 0.05). Negative correlations were noted between (i) the BDI total score and all eight domains of the SF-36 (all P < 0.001); and (ii) between the AUDIT total score and six domains of the SF-36 (all P < 0.05).Conclusions: Depression impairs QOL in patients with AUD in China. Early intervention in comorbid depression to improve QOL is needed.

Prevalence, Demographic, and Clinical Correlates of Comorbid Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Psychiatric Patients With Alcohol Dependence.

BackgroundDepressive symptoms are common among psychiatric patients with alcohol dependence (AD). However, the prevalence and clinical correlates of comorbid depressive symptoms are less well studied in Chinese Han patients.MethodsIn this hospital-based survey, we recruited 378 psychiatric patients diagnosed with AD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). All patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to evaluate depressive symptoms and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to assess the severity of drinking.ResultsCompared to patients without depressive symptoms, 48.9% (185/378) of the patients with comorbid depressive symptoms were younger, had a more unstable marital status, had a higher AUDIT total score, and had a higher adverse consequences subscore (all P < 0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that unstable marital status (Odds ratios [OR] = 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–3.99) and AUDIT total score (OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.11) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.ConclusionsOur findings indicate high comorbidity between AD and depressive symptoms in Chinese psychiatric patients. Moreover, some variables are correlates of comorbid depressive symptoms. Particular attention should be paid to the early detection and intervention for this comorbid condition and its risk factors.

Validation of the AUDIT scale and factors associated with alcohol use disorder in adolescents: results of a National Lebanese Study

BackgroundThis study objective was to evaluate the prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and related factors (smoking, internet addiction, social anxiety, child abuse, and bullying) among a representative sample of Lebanese adolescents, and to validate and confirm psychometric properties of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).MethodsA cross-sectional study, conducted between January and May 2019, enrolled 1810 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 from schools of all Lebanese districts. From the total number of schools, a proportionate number was selected in each district. AUD was defined as a high AUDIT score (≥8; score range 0–40). A principal component analysis technique to confirm the validity of the construct of the AUDIT scale score was done and a confirmatory analysis to assess the structure of the instrument was conducted. Spearman correlation was used for linear correlation between continuous variables. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the means of two groups, while the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare three groups or more. A stepwise linear regression was conducted, taking the AUDIT total score as the dependent variable and taking child abuse (psychological, sexual, physical and verbal), cigarette and waterpipe smoking dependence, bullying, social phobia, and internet addiction as independent variables.ResultsThe mean AUDIT score was 6.46 ± 8.44 and high risk of AUD was found in 507 (28.0%) adolescents [95% CI 0.259–0.301]. One factor solution of the AUDIT scale was found after running the factor analysis (αCronbach = 0.978). Higher AUDIT scores were significantly associated with higher cigarette (Beta = 0.527; p < 0.001) and waterpipe (Beta = 0.299; p < 0.001) dependence, higher childhood sexual abuse (Beta = 0.656; p < 0.001) and neglect (Beta = 0.126; p < 0.001), higher bullying victimization (Beta = 0.236; p < 0.001).ConclusionAlcohol use disorder among Lebanese adolescents seems to be associated with several factors, such as cigarette and waterpipe dependence, parents’ divorce, higher internet addiction, bullying victimization, and childhood sexual abuse and neglect. Parents and healthcare professionals could use this data for early interventions.

Motives for drinking and problem drinking in middle-aged people:Examination of DMQ-R and AUDIT based on gender

Motives for drinking and problem drinking behavior in middle-aged people were examined based on gender. An online survey was conducted with registered monitors. People in their 40 s and 50 s (N=1,288) with experience of drinking in the past year participated in a survey. The survey administered the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ-R), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The goodness-of-fit of the DMQ-R to the model was as follows; χ2=2170.64, df=164, CFI=.909, GFI=.837, AGFI=.791, RMSEA=.098. The mean DMQ-R values of men were higher than of women. The order of the mean values for the four DMQ-R factors in both genders were: enhancement>social>coping>conformity. A significant positive correlation was shown between the four DMQ-R factors and the total AUDIT score in men, whereas enhancement and coping had a significant positive correlation with the total AUDIT score in women. These results suggest the crucial need to focus on intrinsic motives, including enhancement and coping, and reducing these motives for enhancing the management of problem drinking behaviors.

The effect of synbiotics supplement on alcohol use disorders identification test and biochemical parameters, gamma glutamyl transferase, lipopolysaccharide and immunoglobulin a levels, in high risk alcoholics

Background: Alcohol consumption does not result in dependence or abuse among most people. Nevertheless, a significant group of the population as a whole unavoidably is troubled by chronic alcoholism.Alcohol is involved in a number of diseases, disorders, and injuries, and several social problems.&#x0D; Aims and Objective: To investigate the possible effects of synbiotics supplement affecting to gut-brain axis in high risk alcohol drinkers through alterations between improving of gut related parameters and changes of alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT).&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Single group, pre- and post-test study. Participants: 24 male patients, alcohol use disorders identification test at 8 or above. Exclusions included clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis, immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorder, use of drugs other than alcohol, pregnancy and lactation, use of antibiotics and herbs during the course of study. Intervention: Synbiotics containing probiotics 7 species and prebiotic 3 types once a day before bedtime for 8 weeks. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome- the efficacy of synbiotics supplement improving subjective AUDIT score. Secondary outcome- changes on gut related biochemical parameters (lipopolysaccharide and immunoglobulin A levels).&#x0D; Results: Twenty high risk alcoholic subjects (with an average age of 46.14 ± 18.34 years) were supplemented with synbiotics contained 25 billion cells of probiotics per day for 8 weeks. After the end of intervention, there was significantly improved total AUDIT score (p=0.001). The changes in gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), lipopolysaccharide and immunoglobulin A level was calculated. GGT (from 90.62 ± 56.65 U/l to 67.67 ± 57.00 U/l), lipopolysaccharide (from 23.19 ± 9.57 to 16.67 ± 4.52 mg/ml) and immunoglobulin A (from 377.13 ± 229.88 to 484.16 ± 290.98 ng/ml) levels were significantly changed when compared to the baseline value.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results of the current study suggested that the consumption of synbiotics significantly improved subjective and objective parameters in high risk alcoholic patients, and further studies are mandatory to reveal the effects of synbiotics on gut health link to central neurological system.

Psychometric Validation of the Brief Alcohol Social Density Assessment in an Adult Community Sample.

Individuals' social networks exert a strong influence on alcohol use, but valid assessment of network drinking behavior is typically lengthy and high in participant burden. The aim of this study was to validate the Brief Alcohol Social Density Assessment (BASDA), an efficient measure of perceived alcohol use within a person's social network, in a sample of adult drinkers from the general community. Specifically, the convergent, criterion-related, incremental validity and internal validity were investigated by examining the BASDA in relation to other established measures of drinking motives, weekly drinking level, and severity of involvement. Participants were 903 (56% female) adults who reported drinking in the last year and who completed the BASDA, the Drinking Motives Questionnaire, the Daily Drinking Questionnaire, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Significant positive correlations were found between the BASDA and drinking motives, drinking quantity, and the AUDIT (rs=0.21 to 0.51, ps<0.001), providing support for convergent validity. There was a significantly higher BASDA score for those scoring at or above an AUDIT cutoff for hazardous drinking (p<0.001), providing support for criterion-related validity. Finally, beyond motives and covariates, the BASDA was significantly associated with total AUDIT score (ΔR2 =0.09, p<0.001), indicating its additive contribution and providing support for incremental validity. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed excellent fit, and all items significantly loaded onto a single factor (p<0.0001), providing evidence of internal validity. The resulting alcohol social density latent variable was significantly and robustly associated with drinks per week and AUDIT total score. These findings provide further support for the BASDA as a valid and efficient measure of social network alcohol density for understanding social influences on alcohol misuse.

The Associations Between Maladaptive Personality Traits, Craving, Alcohol Use, and Adolescent Problem Gambling: An Italian Survey Study.

Although gambling disorder (GD) criteria do not explicitly address craving, it has received increased attention because it has been found to be a significant predictor of gambling severity. Furthermore, recent findings have suggested that both alcohol consumption and maladaptive personality traits may be risk factors among adult GD. To date, no study has evaluated the relative contribution of these factors in adolescent gambling behavior. Consequently, the present study investigated the relationship between gambling severity, craving, maladaptive personality traits, and alcohol use among adolescents. The sample comprised 550 Italian high-school students (50.2% males), aged 14-19years (mean age = 16.24years; SD = 1.56). Participants were administered the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents, Gambling Craving Scale (GACS), Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Format (PID-5-BF), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Results indicated that relative to both non-gamblers and non-problem gamblers, at-risk gamblers and problem gamblers scored higher on GACS, PID-5-BF and AUDIT. Regression analysis showed that Antagonism and Disinhibition PID-5-BF dimensions, Anticipation and Desire GACS subscales, and AUDIT total score were the best predictors of adolescent gambling involvement. These findings provide the first empirical evidence of associations between problematic gambling, craving, alcohol consumption, and maladaptive personality traits in adolescence.

Alcohol use and coping in a cross-sectional study of African American homicide survivors

The loss of a loved one to homicide is associated with considerable distress, often in the form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complicated grief (CG), and alcohol misuse. Yet alcohol-related problems and loss from a homicide are issues that disproportionally affect African Americans. The present study investigated alcohol use in a sample of 54 African American homicide survivors. Although there was a low prevalence of hazardous drinking, alcohol use was associated with higher levels of PTSD, complicated grief, and depression severity. In addition, scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were correlated with active emotional coping and avoidant emotional coping. In analyses of PTSD symptom clusters, emotional numbing and hyperarousal symptoms were significantly correlated with AUDIT total score.

Inhibitory-control event-related potentials correlate with individual differences in alcohol use.

Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct that is related to different aspects of alcohol use, abuse, and dependence. Inhibitory control, one facet of impulsivity, can be assayed using the stop-signal task (SST) and quantified behaviorally via the stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) and electrophysiologically using event-related potentials (ERPs). Research on the relationship between alcohol use and SSRTs, and between alcohol use and inhibitory-control ERPs, is mixed. Here, adult alcohol users (n=79), with a wide range of scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), completed the SST under electroencephalography (EEG) (70% of participants had AUDIT total scores greater than or equal to 8). Other measures, including demographic, self-report, and task-based measures of impulsivity, personality, and psychological factors, were also recorded. A machine-learning method with penalized linear regression was used to correlate individual differences in alcohol use with impulsivity measures. Four separate models were tested, with out-of-sample validation used to quantify performance. ERPs alone statistically predicted alcohol use (cross-validated r=0.28), with both early and late ERP components contributing to the model (larger N2, but smaller P3, amplitude). Behavioral data from a wide range of impulsivity measures were also associated with alcohol use (r=0.37). SSRT was a relatively weak statistical predictor, whereas the Stroop interference effect was relatively strong. The addition of nonimpulsivity behavioral measures did not improve the correlation (r=0.34) and was similar when ERPs were combined with non-ERP data (r=0.29). These findings show that inhibitory control ERPs are robustly correlated individual differences in alcohol use.

Genome-Wide Association Study Meta-Analysis of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in Two Population-Based Cohorts.

Alcohol use disorders are common conditions that have enormous social and economic consequences. Genome-wide association analyses were performed to identify genetic variants associated with a proxy measure of alcohol consumption and alcohol misuse and to explore the shared genetic basis between these measures and other substance use, psychiatric, and behavioral traits. This study used quantitative measures from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) from two population-based cohorts of European ancestry (UK Biobank [N=121,604] and 23andMe [N=20,328]) and performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis. Two additional GWAS analyses were performed, a GWAS for AUDIT scores on items 1-3, which focus on consumption (AUDIT-C), and for scores on items 4-10, which focus on the problematic consequences of drinking (AUDIT-P). The GWAS meta-analysis of AUDIT total score identified 10 associated risk loci. Novel associations localized to genes including JCAD and SLC39A13; this study also replicated previously identified signals in the genes ADH1B, ADH1C, KLB, and GCKR. The dimensions of AUDIT showed positive genetic correlations with alcohol consumption (rg=0.76-0.92) and DSM-IV alcohol dependence (rg=0.33-0.63). AUDIT-P and AUDIT-C scores showed significantly different patterns of association across a number of traits, including psychiatric disorders. AUDIT-P score was significantly positively genetically correlated with schizophrenia (rg=0.22), major depressive disorder (rg=0.26), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (rg=0.23), whereas AUDIT-C score was significantly negatively genetically correlated with major depressive disorder (rg=-0.24) and ADHD (rg=-0.10). This study also used the AUDIT data in the UK Biobank to identify thresholds for dichotomizing AUDIT total score that optimize genetic correlations with DSM-IV alcohol dependence. Coding individuals with AUDIT total scores ≤4 as control subjects and those with scores ≥12 as case subjects produced a significant high genetic correlation with DSM-IV alcohol dependence (rg=0.82) while retaining most subjects. AUDIT scores ascertained in population-based cohorts can be used to explore the genetic basis of both alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders.

Alcohol Use and Risk of Related Problems Among Cannabis Users Is Lower Among Those With Medical Cannabis Recommendations, Though Not Due To Health

A small body of work has started developing cannabis use "typologies" for use in treatment and prevention. Two potentially relevant dimensions for classifying cannabis use typologies are medical versus recreational cannabis use and the co-use of cannabis and alcohol. Here we compare alcohol use and related problems between cannabis users with and without medical cannabis recommendations. Data come from a larger general population study in Washington State conducted between January 2014 and October 2016. All participants in the analytic sample (n = 991) reported using both alcohol and cannabis in the past 12 months. The primary exposure was having a medical recommendation for cannabis. Outcomes were past-30-day drinking (drinks/day, frequency of 5+ drinks, and maximum number of drinks in a day) and past-12-month Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores. Compared with those without medical cannabis recommendations, cannabis users with medical cannabis recommendations had 0.59 times fewer drinks/day, 0.44 times fewer occasions drinking 5+, and 0.78 times the average maximum number of drinks in one day (all ps < .05). Those with a recommendation also had 0.87 times lower AUDIT total scores (p < .05) and 0.57 times lower AUDIT problem scores (p < .01). Cannabis users with medical cannabis recommendations drink less and have fewer alcohol-related problems than those without recommendations, even after adjusting for health status. Future studies should examine nonhealth reasons regarding how medical and nonmedical users use cannabis differently.

Alcohol use disorders and associated factors among patients admitted to medical units, at Teaching Hospital Kandy

Background: Alcohol is an organic substance which is known to produce dependence. The burden and mortality related to alcohol use and related illnesses have a significant psycho-social and economic impact in most of the countries. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence, describe the patterns of alcohol use disorders and risk factors among patients admitted to the medical units of Teaching Hospital Kandy for a period of one year from December 2016 to November 2017. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in the medical wards of Teaching Hospital Kandy for a period of one year from December 2016 to November 2017. A total of 386 participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. An interviewer administered, structured questionnaire and a screening tool, namely the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were used to collect data. Results: The prevalence of alcohol consumption in the sample was 67.6% (N=261). All were consuming arrack. According to the alcohol consumption score, a majority of the alcohol consumers (n=183:70.1%) were in the low risk level (p Conclusions: The prevalence of alcohol use among patients admitted to medical wards of Teaching Hospital Kandy is high. Among patients with medical disorders who consumed alcohol, in many the alcohol intake was at a problematic level. Considering the total AUDIT score, most of the patients were in the hazardous, harmful or high risk groups, which need special attention to minimize the risks of alcohol related problems in the future. Therefore specific management strategies combined with psychiatric and medical treatment programmes should be planned in the future.

Prevalence and correlates of alcohol use in a central Nepal district: secondary analysis of a population-based cross-sectional study.

As reported from studies conducted in Nepal, between 15% and 57% of adults had ever consumed alcohol and between 1.5% and 25% of adults have alcohol use disorders (AUD). Few studies in Nepal have identified the correlates of consumption or described the help-seeking patterns and stigma among those affected with AUD. Interviewers administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as part of population-based surveys of adults in Chitwan District between 2013 and 2017. We conducted a secondary analysis to identify sociodemographic and health-related correlates of recent alcohol consumption using the χ2 test, to identify correlates of total AUDIT scores among men who drink using negative binomial regression, and to describe the treatment-seeking and stigma beliefs of men with AUD. Over half (53.7%, 95% CI 50.4-57.0) of men (n=1130) recently consumed alcohol, and there were associations between being a drinker with age, religion, caste, education, occupation and tobacco use. Nearly one in four (23.8%, 95% CI 20.2-27.8%) male drinkers screened positive for AUD, and AUDIT scores were associated with age, caste, marital status, occupation, tobacco use, depression, functional status and suicidal ideation. Few (13.3%, 95% CI 11.7-15.0) women (n=2352) recently consumed alcohol, and 5.3% (95% CI 3.0-9.1) of female drinkers screened positive for AUD. Among AUDIT-positive men, 38% spoke to another person about their problems and 80% had internalized stigma. This study revealed that nearly one in four men who drink likely have AUD. Higher AUDIT scores were associated with depression, suicidality, dysfunctionality and internalized stigma.

Identification of heavy drinking in the 10-item AUDIT: Results from a prospective study among 18–21 years old non-dependent German males

BackgroundAlcohol consumption is pivotal for the subsequent development of alcohol use disorders (AUD). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a recommended AUD screening tool for prevention and primary care settings. The objectives of this study were to test how many participants with heavy drinking are unidentified by the AUDIT, if proportions of unidentified participants vary over time, and whether this unidentified risk group (URG) was clinically relevant in terms of drinking behavior reports and AUD risk factors, as well as future adverse outcomes, such as craving, dependence symptoms, or depression. MethodsOur prospective cohort study followed 164 German males aged 18–19years without an alcohol dependence diagnosis over 24months. Only men were included due to higher AUD prevalence and gender-specific differences in metabolism, drinking patterns, and progression to AUD. All participants were screened via telephone interview and answered questionnaires both in person and via internet. Heavy drinking was classified using the AUDIT consumption score (AUDIT-C≥4.50). Standardized AUD diagnoses and symptoms, as well as alcohol use-related outcome criteria were assessed via standardized Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), and self-report questionnaires. ResultsOne in four participants (22–28% across all four follow-ups) reported heavy drinking but was unidentified by AUDIT total score (i.e. score<8), thus qualifying for URG status. The URG status did not fluctuate considerably across follow-ups (repeated-measures ANOVA, p=0.293). URG participants identified at the six-month follow-up did not generally differ from participants without URG status in terms of AUD family history or temperament (multivariate ANOVA, p=0.114), except for anxiety sensitivity (pBonferroni<0.001). After two years, URG participants reported a similar level of adverse outcomes compared to low-risk participants (multivariate ANOVA, p=0.438), but less alcohol-related problems and less loss of control due to craving compared to high-risk participants (pBonferroni≤0.007). ConclusionsDespite the considerable number of heavy-drinking individuals unidentified by AUDIT total scores, an additional classification according to AUDIT-C values did not prove useful. Combining AUDIT and AUDIT-C scores might not be sufficient for identifying AUD risk groups among young adult German males. There is an urgent need for a replication of our findings among female participants.