Alcoholic Research Articles

Examining the moderating role of cannabis use on the relationship between alcohol consumption and inflammation in individuals with alcohol use disorder.

Inflammation appears to be a critical mechanism in the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and a consequence of chronic alcohol use. The potential anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis may modulate the proinflammatory effects of alcohol. This study sought to extend previous work investigating the relationship between alcohol consumption, cannabis use and circulating interleukin (IL)-6 levels in a sample with AUD. One hundred and thirty-three individuals with an AUD provided blood samples to assess IL-6 and answered questions regarding alcohol and cannabis use. An ordinary least squares multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the effect of alcohol and cannabis use on IL-6. A moderation analysis examined cannabis use as a potential moderator of the relationship between alcohol use and circulating IL-6 levels. Alcohol use was predictive of higher log IL-6 levels (standardized β = 0.16, p = 0.03), while cannabis use was not predictive of log IL-6 levels (p = 0.36). Days of cannabis use moderated the relationship between alcohol use and IL-6 levels, such that the relationship between alcohol use and IL-6 levels was only significant in individuals with AUD without recent cannabis use. This study extends previous work to a clinical sample with an AUD and underscores the importance of considering cannabis use in studies on alcohol use and inflammation. This study also indicates the need for in-depth analyses on cannabinoids and inflammation and the interaction between cannabinoids and alcohol use on inflammation.

Altered Effective Connectivity During Threat Anticipation in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder

BackgroundA developing theory and recent research suggest that heightened reactivity to uncertain stressors or threats may be an important individual difference factor that facilitates excessive drinking as a means of avoidance-based coping and characterizes individuals with current and past alcohol use disorder (AUD). Neuroimaging studies of unpredictable threat processing have repeatedly demonstrated activation of the anterior insula, anteromedial thalamus, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. In the current study, we aimed to understand how these 3 regions function as a network during anticipation of unpredictable threat (and predictable threat). MethodsParticipants were 43 adults (ages 21–30) with AUD and 26 healthy control participants. Functional magnetic resonance imaging and dynamic causal modeling were used to study interregional effective connectivities and predictable and unpredictable threat-related modulations thereof within this network. Parametric empirical Bayesian modeling was used to conduct between-group comparisons in effective connectivities. ResultsDuring unpredictable threat trials, the increased projection from the right anteromedial thalamus to the right anterior insula was significantly present only in the AUD group. This directional influence was stronger among individuals who consumed more drinks per week on average. As expected, we found no group differences in modulatory changes to effective connectivities during predictable threat trials. ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to examine directional interactions between key frontolimbic regions during anticipation of unpredictable and predictable threat and demonstrate the importance of bottom-up thalamic-insular projections during unpredictable threat processing in AUD. Prospective studies are warranted to determine whether this association is causal.

Negative affect variability as a potential mechanism of behavior change in alcohol use disorder treatment.

Negative affect and affect variability figure prominently in models of addictive behaviors but are not without controversy. Negative affect variability may better capture a mechanism of behavior change in alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment because it contains information about affect regulation, a common clinical target. The aims of this study are to examine the change in: (a) trajectory of negative affect variability, (b) association of negative affect variability and abstinence, and (c) association of negative affect variability and heavy drinking during AUD treatment. This article is a secondary analysis of data drawn from a randomized clinical trial. N = 181 participants diagnosed with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition AUD (Mage = 50.8, SDage = 10.6; 51.4% female) received 12 sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Coping Skills Therapy for AUD. Participants completed one daily diary prompt per day for 84 consecutive days. Each day, participants reported on negative affect and number of alcoholic drinks consumed the previous day. Time-varying effect models examined changes in negative affect variability and its associations with abstinence and heavy drinking. Negative affect variability decreased throughout treatment. The positive association between negative affect variability and heavy drinking became nonsignificant (decoupled) midway through treatment. The inverse association between negative affect variability and daily abstinence became nonsignificant (decoupled) at approximately day 75 of 84. When mean levels of NA were added as a covariate, the effects were in the same direction but no longer statistically significant. Reductions in negative affect variability may capture an important change mechanism of behavioral treatments for AUD because it contains information about affect regulation as compared with mean levels of negative affect. Negative affect variability warrants further consideration as a mechanism of behavior change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Internalized Stigma and Quality of Life in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study From Gujarat, India

Introduction: Substance use disorders (SUDs) contribute to one-fifth of all disability- adjusted life years caused by psychiatric illnesses. They have a high treatment gap. Stigma affects the lives of people with SUDs and is shown to impede the pursuit of valued life goals and recovery from addiction. We studied stigma and QOL in patients with Alcohol Use disorders (AUD). Methods: Participants between 18 and 65 years with a clinical diagnosis of AUD were included (inpatients and outpatients). Demographic and clinical data were recorded using a semistructured questionnaire. ISMIS & WHOQOL-Bref questionnaires were used to assess internalized stigma and quality of life. Results: Of the 141 participants, 89(63.10%) patients had severe self-stigma, 31(22.10%) patients had moderate self-stigma, and 21(14.90) patients had mild self-stigma. In ISMIS, stigma due to alienation (3.22) was higher than social withdrawal, discrimination, stereotype, and stigma resistance. In the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire, the mean score of social domain (9.45) was the lowest compared to the other domains of the quality of life scale. A significant association was found between the education and the duration of substance use with ISMI grades with people with up to 10th standard education (p-value - 0.002*), living in urban areas (p-value - 0.022*), and ten or more years of substance use (p-value - 0.00002). Conclusion: The various domains of quality of life generally negatively correlated with the internalized stigma score, suggesting that a greater degree of self-stigma is associated with poorer quality of life.

The Influence of Affiliation to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Perceived Stress and Length of Sobriety on Recurrence of Alcohol Craving and Obsession and Relapse During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania

ABSTRACT While alcohol addiction is a significant social problem in Romania, there has been no research into mutual-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of affiliation to AA, perceived stress, and length of sobriety on the recurrence of alcohol craving and obsession, and relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to determine whether there are any differences between the level of AA affiliation and AA attendance before and after the pandemic began. A convenience sample of individuals suffering from alcohol addiction from Romania who attend AA meetings (n = 107, 69 men and 38 women) completed an online questionnaire in October 2020 to analyze the intricate relationship between affiliation to AA, perceived stress, and length of sobriety, and recurrence of alcohol craving and obsession and relapse, as well as to compare between the level of affiliation to AA and AA attendance before and after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate whether affiliation to AA, perceived stress, and length of sobriety had influenced the recurrence of craving and alcohol obsession and relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic. A paired samples t-test was performed to evaluate whether there were any differences between the level of AA affiliation and AA attendance before and after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Results indicated that affiliation to AA 12 months before the COVID-19 pandemic started (AAA), perceived stress in the last 9 months since the COVID-19 pandemic started (PSS) and length of sobriety are predictors of both relapse (together the three predictors accounted for 89.7% of the variance in relapse) and recurrence of alcohol craving and obsession during the COVID-19 pandemic (together the three predictors accounted for 81.3% of the variance in recurrence of alcohol craving and obsession). Surprisingly, the length of sobriety was found to be a significant predictor over and above AAA in the past 12 months before the COVID-19 pandemic started in both regression models. In addition, the level of AA affiliation and AA attendance after the COVID-19 pandemic started decreased compared to the level of AA affiliation and AA attendance before the COVID-19 pandemic began, with a very small effect size, respectively with a small effect size. The findings suggest that those working in the area of substance abuse should pay more attention to the influence of affiliation to AA and perceived stress in attaining and maintaining sobriety, as well as to the length of sobriety in maintaining abstinence, as these appear to play an important role in avoiding both recurrence of craving and alcohol obsession, and relapse during times of distress.

Operant ethanol self-administration behaviors do not predict sex differences in continuous access home cage drinking

Understanding sex differences in disease prevalence is critical to public health, particularly in the context of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The goal of this study was to understand sex differences in ethanol drinking behavior and define the precise conditions under which sex differences emerge. Consistent with prior work, C57BL/6J females drank more than males under continuous access two-bottle choice conditions. However, using ethanol self-administration - where an operant response results in access to an ethanol sipper for a fixed time period - we found no sex differences in operant response rates or ethanol consumption (volume per body weight consumed, as well as lick behavior). This remained true across a wide range of parameters including acquisition, when the ethanol sipper access period was manipulated, and when the concentration of the ethanol available was scaled. The only sex differences observed were in total ethanol consumption, which was explained by differences in body weight between males and females, rather than by sex differences in motivation to drink. Using dimensionality reduction approaches, we found that drinking behavior in the operant context did not cluster by sex, but rather clustered by high and low drinking phenotypes. Interestingly, these high and low drinking phenotypes in the operant context showed no correlation with those same categorizations in the home cage context within the same animals. These data underscore the complexity of sex differences in ethanol consumption, highlighting the important role that drinking conditions/context plays in the expression of these differences.

A novel alcohol+nicotine co-use self-administration procedure reveals sex differences and differential alteration of mesocorticolimbic TLR- and cholinergic-related neuroimmune gene expression in rats

Although alcohol and nicotine are two of the most commonly co-used drugs with upwards of 90% of adults with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the US also smoking, we don't tend to study alcohol and nicotine use this way. The current studies sought to develop and assess a novel alcohol + nicotine co-access self-administration (SA) model in adult male and female Long-Evans rats. Further, both drugs are implicated in neuroimmune function, albeit in largely opposing ways. Chronic alcohol use increases neuroinflammation via toll-like receptors (TLRs) which in turn increases alcohol intake. By contrast, nicotine produces anti-inflammatory effects, in part, through the monomeric alpha7 receptor (ChRNa7). Following long-term co-access (6 months), rats reliably administered both drugs during daily sessions, however males generally responded for more alcohol and females for nicotine. This was reflected in plasma analysis with translationally relevant intake levels of both alcohol and nicotine, making it invaluable in studying the effects of co-use on behavior and CNS function. Moreover, male rats show sensitivity to alterations in alcohol concentration whereas females show sensitivity to alterations in nicotine concentration. Rats trained on this procedure also developed an anxiogenic phenotype. Finally, we assessed alterations in neuroimmune-related gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex – prelimbic, (mPFC-PL), nucleus accumbens core (AcbC), and ventral tegmental area (VTA). In the AcbC, where α7 expression was increased and β2 was decreased, markers of pro-inflammatory activity were decreased, despite increases in TLR gene expression suggesting that co-use with nicotine modulates inflammatory state downstream from the receptor level. By contrast, in mPFC-PL where α7 was not increased, both TLRs and downstream proinflammatory markers were increased. Taken together, these findings support that there are brain regional and sex differences with co-use of alcohol + nicotine SA and suggest that targeting nicotinic α7 may represent a novel strategy for treating alcohol + nicotine co-dependence.

"I Thought Cancer was a Tobacco Issue": Perspectives of Veterans with and without HIV on Cancer and Other Health Risks Associated with Alcohol and Tobacco/Nicotine Use.

U.S. Veterans and people living with HIV (PWH) experience higher rates of unhealthy alcohol and tobacco/nicotine use than non-Veterans and people without HIV (PWoH). Both groups are susceptible to adverse health outcomes associated with alcohol and tobacco/nicotine use. We explored awareness of alcohol- and tobacco/nicotine-related cancer and immune health risks among Veterans Health Administration (VA) patients with and without HIV. Among a sample of 41 (46% PWH; 73% male; 39% Black) purposively-selected VA patients receiving care 2020-2021 we conducted semi-structured interviews via telephone; interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using a Rapid Assessment Process. Purposive selection was based on HIV status, alcohol and/or tobacco/nicotine use, and demographics. Among participants, 66% reported current smoking, and most screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use. Participants had high awareness of cancer and other health risks related to smoking but low awareness of synergistic risks and cancer risks associated with alcohol use despite awareness of a range of other alcohol-related risks. Awareness of alcohol and/or tobacco/nicotine's impacts on the immune system was variable. Findings did not distinctly differ between PWH and PWoH. Low awareness of alcohol-related cancer risk, risks of co-occurring use, and varying awareness of the impacts of alcohol and tobacco/nicotine on the immune system suggest a need for improved messaging regarding substance use-related cancer and immune risk. This may be especially important among PWH, for whom the prevalence and adverse effects of alcohol and tobacco use, and immune dysfunction are higher.

Sexual Identity Continuity and Change in a U.S. National Probability Sample of Sexual Minority Adults: Associations With Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use.

Sexual minority disparities in behavioral health (e.g., mental health and substance use) are well-established. However, sexual identity is dynamic, and changes are common across the life course (e.g., identifying with a monosexual [lesbian or gay] label and later with a plurisexual [queer, pansexual, etc.] label). This study assessed whether behavioral health risks coincide with sexual identity change among sexual minority people. Associations in a 3-year U.S. national probability sample of sexual minority adults were assessed between sexual minority identity change (consistently monosexual [N=400; 44.3% weighted], consistently plurisexual [N=239; 46.7% weighted], monosexual to plurisexual [N=19; 4.2% weighted], and plurisexual to monosexual [N=25; 4.8% weighted]) and five behavioral health indicators (psychological distress, social well-being, number of poor mental health days in the past month, problematic alcohol use, and problematic use of other drugs), controlling for demographic characteristics and baseline behavioral health. Among female participants, monosexual-to-plurisexual identity change (vs. consistently monosexual identity) was associated with greater psychological distress (B=3.41, SE=1.13), lower social well-being (B=-0.61, SE=0.25), and more days of poor mental health in the past month (B=0.69 [Bexp=1.99], SE=0.23). Among male participants, plurisexual-to-monosexual identity change (vs. consistently plurisexual identity) was associated with lower social well-being (B=-0.56, SE=0.25), and identity change (regardless of type) was generally associated with increased problematic use of alcohol and other drugs. Sexual identity change is an important consideration for sexual minority behavioral health research, with changes (vs. consistency) in identity being an important risk factor for compromised behavioral health. Prevention and treatment interventions may need to tailor messaging to sexual minority men and women differently.

Potential impact of alcohol calorie labelling on the attitudes and drinking behaviour of hazardous and low-risk drinkers in England: a national survey

ObjectivesWe investigated the hypothetical impact of mandatory alcohol calorie labelling, comparing non-drinkers, low-risk and hazardous drinkers in terms of attitudes, knowledge about calorie content and hypothetical behaviour changes should labelling...

A literature review of genetics and epigenetics of HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma: translational impact.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a significant global health burden and ranks as the fifth most prevalent cancer on a global scale. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains one of the major risk factors for HCC development. HCC is a heterogeneous disease, and the development of HCC caused by HCV is intricate and involves various factors, including genetic susceptibility, viral factors, immune response due to chronic inflammation, alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction associated with fatty liver disease. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and updated review of research on the genetics and epigenetic mechanisms implicated in developing HCC associated with HCV infection. We also discuss the potential translational implications, including novel biomarkers and drugs for treatment. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in June 2023 in PubMed and Embase databases. Recent findings indicate that a variety of genetic and epigenetic processes are involved in the pathogenesis and continue to exist even after the complete elimination of HCV. The deregulation of the epigenome has been identified as a significant factor in the deletrious effects of liver disease, especially during the initial stages when genetic alterations are uncommon. The enduring "epigenetic memory" of gene expression is believed to be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, indicating that alterations caused by HCV infection continue to exist and are linked to the risk of development of liver cancer even after successful treatment. Systems biology analytical methods will be required to delineate the magnitude and significance of both genetic and epigenomic alterations in tumor evolution. By facilitating a more profound understanding of these aspects, this will ultimately foster the advancement of novel therapies and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.

Alcohol Dependence Among Adult Males in Chengalpattu District, South India: A Mixed Methods Study.

Introduction Post-pandemic alcohol consumption is on the rise due to people starting to adapt themselves to the practice of consuming alcoholic beverages at home. In addition to the direct effects of intoxication and addiction, estimates suggest that alcohol contributes to approximately 20-30% of global cases of oesophagal cancer, liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, homicide, epilepsy, and motor vehicle accidents. In India, one-fifth of alcohol consumers were found to be alcohol dependent. The study was done with the primary objective of finding out the prevalence of alcohol dependence among alcohol users and exploring the reasons for alcohol dependence among alcohol users in an urban area of Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu. Methodology The study design is an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study. It was done among 624 adult male alcohol consumers in the Chennai district, selected by the cluster sampling method in a community setting. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to diagnose alcohol dependence. Using the purposive sampling method, in-depth interviews were conducted among 24 alcohol-dependent people to explore and understand their experiences, identify common themes, and provide insights into the problem. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and qualitative data were analysed using deductive content analysis using Qualcoder software. Results The mean age of the study participants was 38±7 years. Among current alcohol consumers, 16.9% (106/624) were found to be suffering from alcohol dependence. The significant predictors of alcohol dependence were found to be unskilled occupation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.09), having suicidal ideation (AOR = 2.4), alcohol consumption by family members (AOR = 1.90), depression (AOR = 3.98), drinking pattern-affected interpersonal relationships (AOR = 2.29), and not receiving health education about alcohol use in school/college (AOR = 1.74). The major themes and codes identified among alcohol dependents were factors related to mental health, physical health, and social factors. Conclusion This study provides essential points of reference for policymakers and primary care physicians to develop prevention strategies for people to understand and overcome the problem of alcohol addiction, and it also sheds light on the burden of alcohol dependence and their lived experiences.

Non-suicidal self-injury in trichotillomania and skin picking disorder.

Trichotillomania and skin picking disorder have been characterized as body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) disorders (i.e., repetitive self-grooming behaviors that involve biting, pulling, picking, or scraping one's own hair, skin, lips, cheeks, or nails). Trichotillomania and skin picking disorder have also historically been classified, by some, as types of compulsive self-injury as they involve repetitive hair pulling and skin picking, respectively. The question of the relationship of these disorders to more conventional forms of self-injury such as cutting or self-burning remains incompletely investigated. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship of these two disorders with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Adults with trichotillomania (n=93) and skin picking (n=105) or both (n=82) were recruited from the general population using advertisements and online support groups and completed an online survey. Participants completed self-report instruments to characterize clinical profiles and associated characteristics. In addition, each participant completed a mental health history questionnaire. Of the 280 adults with BFRB disorders, 141 (50.1%) reported a history of self-injury independent of hair pulling and skin picking. Participants with a history of self-injury reported significantly worse pulling and picking symptoms (p<.001) and were significantly more likely to have co-occurring alcohol problems (p<.001), borderline personality disorder (p<.001), buying disorder (p<.001), gambling disorder (p<.001), compulsive sex behavior (p<001), and binge eating disorder (p=.041). NSSI appears common in trichotillomania and skin picking disorder and may be part of a larger constellation of behaviors associated with impulse control or reward-related dysfunction.

Use of Transdermal Alcohol Sensors in Conjunction With Contingency Management to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in People With Alcohol Dependence Attending Alcohol Treatment Services: Protocol for a Pilot Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Wearable technology for objective, continuous, and reliable alcohol monitoring has been developed. These are known as transdermal alcohol sensors (TASs). They can be worn on the wrist or ankle with the sensor pressed against the skin and can measure sweat vapors being emitted from the skin, to record transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC). Previous studies have investigated the accuracy and acceptability of the available TAS brands, but there has been little research into their use in people with alcohol use disorders (AUD). This feasibility randomized controlled trial aims to explore the feasibility, strengths, and limitations of using a TAS to monitor alcohol consumption in individuals in treatment for AUD with or without contingency management (CM) to promote abstinence or low-level alcohol consumption. The target sample size is 30 (15 randomized to each group). Participants will be recruited through poster adverts at alcohol services. Both groups (control and CM) will wear the TAS (BACtrack Skyn) for 2 weeks in the context of their usual treatment, meeting with the researcher every other weekday. In the last meeting, the participants will complete a postwear survey on their experience of wearing the TAS. The CM group will also receive small financial incentives for low or no alcohol consumption, as measured by the TAS. On days where the TAC peak is below a set threshold (<115.660 g/L), CM group participants will be rewarded with a £5 (US $6.38) voucher. There are financial bonuses if this target is achieved on consecutive days. The researcher will monitor TAC for each day of the study at each research visit and allocate financial incentives to participants according to a set reinforcement schedule. The first participant was enrolled in June 2023, and the last in December 2023. Data analysis is underway and is estimated to be completed by June 2024. A total of 32 participants were enrolled. Most TAS brands have had limited application in clinical settings, and most studies have included healthy adults rather than people with AUD. TAS has the potential to enhance treatment outcomes in clinical alcohol treatment. The accuracy, acceptability, and feasibility of TAS for people with AUD in clinical settings need to be investigated. This is the first study to use TAS in specialized alcohol services with diagnosed AUD individuals currently receiving treatment from a south London alcohol service. ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN46845361; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN46845361. DERR1-10.2196/57653.

Right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance, system justification, and conservative political ideology as predictors of mental health stigma: The Hungarian case.

Insights from mental health stigma research indicate the importance of societal and political views on mental health perceptions. Most studies originate from typical Western neo-liberal settings and focus on generic mental health issues. Our research explores these associations in Hungary, an understudied post-communist context with significant stigma levels, examining a broad range of stigmas related to both general and three specific mental illnesses: schizophrenia, depression, and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study aims to connect a wide array of political dispositions to stigma associated with both general and specific mental illnesses, exploring both attitudes and behavioral intentions. We surveyed 492 participants (147 males, 342 females) on their political dispositions, including Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA), Social Dominance Orientation (SDO), general and economic system justification, and conservative political ideology, and their attitudes toward general and specific mental illnesses. Regression analyses identified key political dispositions influencing stigma. RWA was significantly linked to most stigma outcomes, while conservative political ideology showed a selective impact. Other predictors had minimal influence on stigma outcomes. Our findings suggest that perceptions of danger, threat, and unconventionality, as indicated by RWA, are crucial for mental health stigmatization in Hungary. Intervention programs should target these factors, particularly in similar contexts.

Problematic series watching and alcohol consumption among global audiences of Korean Drama in Israel and Indonesia

Korean dramas (K-dramas), with their unique characteristics, often encourage binge-watching. Moreover, the cultural norms and rituals surrounding alcohol, prevalent in South Korea, are mirrored in K-dramas that have gained global audiences in recent years. The present study aimed to examine problematic K-drama series watching, and the potential associations with alcohol consumption among global adult audiences from Israel and Indonesia. An online questionnaire was distributed to a non-probability convenience sample of 638 adult viewers of K-drama, of whom 383 (60%) were Indonesian and 255 (40%) were Israeli. Fifteen percent of the audiences were identified as displaying problematic K-drama series watching, 36% reported ever drinking Soju (the traditional unique Korean drink), 41% reported drinking alcohol in the past 3 months, and 24% reported binge drinking in the past 12 months. Participants who were higher in problematic K-drama series watching were more likely to be involved with drinking Soju, drinking alcohol in the past 3 months, and binge drinking in the last year. Indonesians and Israelis have significantly different viewing patterns and alcohol consumption. 21.2% of Israelis identified as problematic K-drama series watching compared to 10.7% of Indonesians. Greater percentage of the Israelis have reported consumption of alcohol than Indonesians. Multiple linear regression for problematic K-drama series watching revealed that Israeli audiences, younger age, being defined as a fan, being a member of a K-drama social network, higher number of weekly hours spent watching, and greater number of dramas being watched per month were associated with more problematic K-drama series watching. Series binge-watching may entail potentially negative health and social consequences and professionals should pay more attention to this type of problematic behavior. The identification of problematic K-drama series watching and its association with increased alcohol consumption, suggests the need for health policymakers to consider cultural influences on media alcohol messages consumption.

Examining the association between the FTO gene and neuroticism reveals indirect effects on subjective well-being and problematic alcohol use

Associations between the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene and obesity are well-established. However, recent studies have linked FTO to addiction phenotypes and dopaminergic signaling, thus suggesting broader psychiatric implications. We explored this assumption by conducting a phenome-wide association study across 4756 genome-wide association studies, identifying 23–26 psychiatric traits associated with FTO at the multiple-corrected significance level. These traits clustered into four categories: substance use, chronotype/sleep, well-being, and neuroticism. To validate these findings, we analyzed a functionally suggestive FTO variant (rs1421085) in a separate cohort, examining its impact on (i) alcohol use based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), (ii) subjective well-being based on the WHO (Ten) Well-Being Index, and (iii) neuroticism based on Schafer’s Five Factor Model or the Karolinska Scales of Personality. Our results confirmed a direct association between rs1421085 and neuroticism that was independent of age, sex, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), and childhood adversities. Interestingly, while no direct association with alcohol intake was observed, both cross-sectional and lagged longitudinal mediation analyses uncovered indirect relationships between rs1421085 and problematic alcohol use (AUDIT-P), with increased neuroticism acting as the intermediary. Mediation analyses also supported an indirect effect of rs1421085 on lower well-being through the pathways of increased neuroticism and BMI. Our study is the first to validate a direct association between FTO and neuroticism. However, additional studies are warranted to affirm the causal pathways linking FTO to well-being and alcohol use through neuroticism.

AA, Bill Wilson, Carl Jung and LSD.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an established resource for people suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, Bill Wilson, the co-founder of AA, in his second letter to Jung referred to its low success rate. One evidence-based alternative, dating back to the 1950s, is the clinical use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for treating AUD. Bill Wilson was a strong advocate of using LSD as a preparation for alcoholics who had difficulty grasping the spiritual aspect of the 12-step programme. Bill Wilson wrote a "secret" four-page letter to Carl Jung detailing his own use of LSD and the success two psychiatrists in Canada had in treating alcoholics and asked for his advice on using LSD to help alcoholics. Aniela Jaffé, a Jungian analyst and co-worker of Jung, replied to Wilson on May 29, 1961, "… as soon as Dr. Jung feels better and has enough strength to begin again his mail, I will show it to him." Jung died a week later. This article quotes Jung's previous hostile opinions on psychedelics and asks: Just as Jung overcame his negative views on groups when giving "complete instructions" on extending the 12-step programme of AA to "general neurotics", might he similarly have changed his mind when he saw the documented success of using LSD with recalcitrant alcoholics?

Identification of High Risk Situation and Relapse Prevention Therapy in Person with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: A Case Study

Identification of High Risk Situation and Relapse Prevention Therapy in Person with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: A Case Study

Alcohol consumption among older adults in the United States amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the 2017-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Alcohol consumption is responsible for numerous life-threatening diseases, including liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and various cancers. During the pandemic, alcohol-related deaths increased from 2019 to 2021, topping out at approximately 108,000 deaths related to alcohol. This trendalso introduced the question whether heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking increased during the pandemic, particularly in those 65 and older. The objective of this study is to determine whether heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking increased during the pandemic in older adults in the United States. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to determine whether rates of overall alcohol consumption, heavy consumption, or binge drinking deviated from 2017 through 2021. We utilized chi-square tests to determine changes in rates over the included years. Our findings show that the overall rate of alcohol use in populations 65 and older from 2017 through 2021 wasapproximately 42.1 %, which peaked in 2017 at 43.7 % and declined each year, resulting in the lowest rate (41.3 %) in 2021 (χ 2 =8.96, p<0.0001). Binge and heavy drinking rates were 5.1 % and 4.2 % overall during this time frame, respectively, and the annual changes were not statistically significant. The impact of COVID-19 on the drinking behavior of older US adults was minimal in terms of binge orheavy drinking, although the overall rates of alcohol consumption among this group declined. Reports among other US age groups showed increased consumption and deaths from alcohol use. Future research is needed to determine the causes for the overall decrease in consumption or adaptive measures that this group may have taken, which led tominimal changes in binge or heavy drinking in contrast toyounger populations.