Alcohol Binge Drinking Research Articles

Differences and similarities in adolescents accessing emergency care for acute alcohol intoxication in three urban regions in Italy, Belgium, and The Netherlands

Abstract Background Excessive drinking among adolescents in Western Europe is prevalent, posing significant health risks and societal costs. Early initiation of alcohol use and binge drinking are associated with adult alcohol use disorders. Collecting comprehensive data on adolescent drinking patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. Methods To gain insight into the demographic and clinical characteristics of acute alcohol intoxication (AAI), we analysed emergency department access data of adolescents aged 14-17 years presenting with AAI symptoms from 2015-2023. Three urban regions were included: the Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis in Delft (The Netherlands), eight combined hospitals in Antwerp (Belgium) and the IRCCS San Martino Hospital in Genoa (Italy). Results A total of 1841 patients with symptoms of AAI were included. The mean age of patients in the Netherlands was statistically significant younger than in Italy and Belgium (15.7 compared to 15.9 and 16.0 years old, respectively). Moreover, the blood alcohol concentration was higher in the Netherlands and Belgium compared to Italy (2.0‰ compared to 1.95‰ and 1.8‰ respectively). The distribution of sex was nearly equal in the Netherlands, while statistically significant differences were observed with a higher proportion of males in Italy (54.8%) and Belgium (56.8%). Combined drug use was lower in Belgium with 10.0%, compared to 13.4% in The Netherlands and 14.7% in Italy. The most common reason for admission was ‘reduced consciousness’ in the total population (45.2%). Conclusions This is one of the first international studies which combines data on AAI in minors. In the future, efforts should be made to establish a common European database where records of AAI can be stored and analysed more efficiently for prevention purposes.

Income inequality and risky health behaviors of affluent adolescents in the post-Communist Europe

Abstract Background We aim to study the “golden youth” hypothesis and examine the risky behaviors of adolescents with high socioeconomic position (SEP) in post-Communist countries of Europe (PCCE) in relation to income inequality. Methods Adolescents aged 11-15 years from 14 PCCE participating in the Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey 2017/18 were included. A K-means cluster analysis was conducted to group adolescents based on tobacco smoking, alcohol use, binge drinking, and bullying perpetration. Generalized linear mixed models were fitted. Results Four clusters of adolescents were identified. The percentage of high-SEP adolescents in Cluster 1 (low risky behaviors) was slightly less compared to middle and low-SEP groups (70.9% vs 73.1% vs 73.9%, respectively). High-SEP adolescents were more likely to be in Cluster 2, characterized by frequent alcohol consumption but moderate binge drinking (14.3% vs 12.6% vs 10.7%). The prevalence of risky behaviors was similar between high and low-SEP adolescents in Cluster 3 (high smoking, frequent alcohol use, binge drinking, and moderate bullying) (8.0% vs 7.7% vs 8.2%) and Cluster 4 (high levels of bullying perpetration) (6.7% vs 6.5% vs 7.2%). Countries with higher Gini index were at a greater risk of reporting risky behaviors. High-SEP adolescents were more likely to engage in risky behaviors in countries with high income inequality. The odds ratios comparing high- vs. low-SEP adolescents ranged from 0.89 in the least unequal to 1.67 in the most unequal countries for multiple risky behaviors (Cluster 3: P-interaction = 0.042) and from 0.61 to 1.19 for bullying perpetration (Cluster 4: P-interaction = 0.030). Conclusions High-SEP adolescents in PCCE might be at an increased risk for unhealthy and vicious behaviors, especially in countries with high income inequality. This study highlights the need for policies that address income inequality to ensure the well-being of adolescents across socioeconomic strata in PCCE. Key messages • High-SEP adolescents might be at an increased risk for unhealthy behavior in PCCE. • Wide income inequality might contribute to risky behaviors among high-SEP adolescents.

Muscle-strengthening activity is associated with total alcohol consumption and binge drinking among U.S. college students

Objective: To examine the association of muscle-strengthening activity with total alcohol consumption (AC) and binge drinking (BD). Participants: College students (n = 1623) from a large United States university. Methods: Students self-reported their physical activity (PA), AC, and socio-demographic characteristics via an online survey. Hierarchical regression models were computed to examine the association of aerobic PA, and muscle-strengthening activity with total AC and BD. Results: After adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and aerobic PA, muscle-strengthening activity and achieving muscle strengthening activity recommendations explained a significant proportion of unique variance in total AC (β = .16, p < .001 and β = .16, p < .001, respectively). Similarly, with each additional day of muscle-strengthening activity the odds of reporting BD were 20.9% higher, and individuals who met muscle-strengthening activity recommendations had 93.2% higher odds of reporting BD. Conclusions: Muscle-strengthening activity should be accounted for when examining the relationship between PA and AC.

Sex- and age-dependent impacts of nicotine and ethanol binge drinking on the brain: Insights from preclinical research.

Electronic cigarette use among adolescents is a growing concern, not only due to the high incidence of co-use with other substances, such as alcohol, but also due to the fact brain is still maturing during this period. Combined exposure to alcohol and nicotine leads to plastic adaptation of crucial circuits in the brain, which can contribute to the development of addiction. It is well established that nicotine exposure can facilitate alcohol binge drinking, and vice-versa, in a sex-, age- and exposure-dependent manner. Nonetheless, the central mechanisms underlying the synergistic relationship between these two substances and the emergence of differential behavioural traits dependent on these factors remain underexplored. Preclinical studies continue to provide valuable insights into such mechanisms. Here, we discuss recent preclinical findings that report behavioural changes characteristic of addiction following nicotine consumption, primarily in models of vaping and alcohol use; and insights into the neural mechanisms impacted by intake of these two substances, with a focus on the adolescent brain.

Review article: Electronic screening and brief intervention for alcohol-related trauma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Electronic Screening and Brief Intervention (e-SBI) in changing or reducing alcohol consumption and/or related risk behaviours among trauma patients compared to standard of care. Following Cochrane Collaboration's guidelines and PRISMA recommendations, a search of electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science) and grey literature (Google Scholar) was conducted. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from 1995 to 2023 were included, focusing on e-SBI for alcohol misuse in trauma patients. Quality assessment utilised the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Bayesian meta-analysis was employed for synthesising outcomes. Four RCTs, totalling 2641 participants, were included. While e-SBI demonstrated a significant reduction in problematic alcohol consumption up to 6 months post-implementation, uncertainties were noted in risk behaviours determined by: average alcohol consumption, binge drinking and alcohol-related consequences. Heterogeneity in measurements and population variations contributed to the nuanced findings. The review suggests that e-SBI may be effective in reducing problematic alcohol consumption in the short term among alcohol-related trauma patients. However, uncertainties and methodological variations highlight the need for standardised outcome measurements, consistent reporting and further exploration of e-SBI's long-term impact. Relevance to health promotion: Understanding the effectiveness of e-SBI in managing alcohol-related issues among trauma patients is crucial for health promotion. Despite uncertainties, the findings underscore the potential of e-SBI as a scalable and accessible intervention. e-SBI in the setting of the present study, emphasises the importance of tailored approaches in public health strategies.

Analysis of Demographic Characteristics and Drinking Habits at a Southern College Provide Critical Information for Developing an Effective Prevention Program.

To examine the associations of basic demographics (age, race, and gender identity) on alcohol consumption among college students at a mid-sized university. To evaluate the drinking habits of students using the survey tool that will measure basic demographics to collect data. A cross-sectional study that included college students ages 17-21 at Columbus State University in the fall of 2021. Columbus, Georgia. University students (n = 260, mean age 20.5 ± 3.8). One-way ANOVA and independent t-tests were used to test differences in age on alcohol consumption and binge drinking. Chi-Square tests and Fisher's Exact were used to estimate differences in proportions of binge drinking for race and gender. Underage students (57.7%) reported having consumed alcohol in the past. Frequency of alcohol consumption increased with age (P = 0.004). Caucasian students reported drinking most frequently, with 14.8% (n = 12) drinking at least once a week, compared to 0 African American students reporting they drank at least once per week (P < 0.001). There were no significant findings when examining differences in binge drinking for demographics assessed in this sample (P > 0.05). and Relevance: In this cross-sectional research study, the prevalence of underage drinking among college-aged students, there is a need for targeted prevention methods to reduce adverse health outcomes among this vulnerable population.

Affective dynamics surrounding craving, non-heavy alcohol use and binge drinking in female patients with alcohol use disorder and controls: An experience sampling method study.

Studies show that higher levels of positive affect (PA) and lower levels of negative affect (NA) are related to craving and alcohol consumption at a daily level in men, but little is known on these associations at a momentary level, and whether they are present in women. This study measured the dynamics of within-person NA and PA surrounding craving, non-heavy alcohol use and binge drinking in women with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and female controls without AUD. 53 female patients with AUD and 75 female controls, all recruited in Belgium, were included in an experience sampling study where they reported on momentary NA, PA, craving and alcohol use in daily life over a period of 12 months. Assessments occurred eight times a day on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in seven bursts of three weeks. Within-person NA at a previous assessment (t-1) predicted craving at the current assessment (t0) in patients with AUD in a positive linear [β = 0.043; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.002, 0.057; P = 0.041] and quadratic fashion (β = 0.034; CI = 0.011, 0.057; P = 0.004). Within-person PA at t-1 predicted craving at t0 in patients with AUD with a positive quadratic relation (β = 0.042; CI = 0.08, 0.065; P < 0.001). Within-person NA at t-1 negatively predicted non-heavy alcohol use at t0 in a linear fashion in controls (β = -0.495; CI = -0.677, -0.312; P < 0.001) and patients with AUD (β = -0.276; CI = -0.421, -0.132; P < 0.001). Within-person PA at t-1 significantly predicted non-heavy alcohol use at t0 with a positive linear term (β = 0.470; CI = 0.329, 0.610; P < 0.001) in controls, but with a positive linear term (β = 0.399; CI = 0.260, 0.454; P < 0.001) and a positive quadratic term (β = 0.203; CI = 0.060, 0.347; P = 0.003) in patients with AUD. Within-person NA at t-1 predicted binge drinking at t0 in patients with AUD with a significant quadratic term (β = 0.236; CI = 0.060, 0.412; P = 0.008), but not for controls. Within-person PA at t-1 predicted binge drinking at t0 in patients with AUD with a significant quadratic term (β = 0.378; CI = 0.215, 0.542; P < 0.001), and this was also the case for controls (β = 0.487; CI = 0.158, 0.770; P < 0.001). Non-heavy alcohol use at t0 predicted lower levels of NA at t+1 in both patients with AUD (β = -0.161; SE = 0.044; CI = -0.248, 0.074; P = 0.001) and controls (β = -0.114; CI = -0.198, -0.029; P = 0.010). Non-heavy alcohol use at t0 also predicted higher levels of PA at t+1 in both patients with AUD (β = 0.181; CI = 0.088, 0.274; P < 0.001) and controls (β = 0.189; CI = 0.101, 0.278; P < 0.001). The momentary relation between affect and craving or alcohol use seems to be non-linear in female patients with alcohol use disorder, whereby a worse mood predicts subsequent alcohol use, though more for binge drinking than for non-heavy alcohol use.

Sex differences in state level prevalence of alcohol use among Black women and men in the United States

ABSTRACT Background To investigate differences in alcohol use among Black men and women across U.S. states, using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Methods Measured any alcohol use, heavy drinking (i.e., 8+/15+ drinks for women/men in a 7-day period), and binge drinking (i.e., 4+/5+ drinks in one session). Weighted prevalence estimates were age-standardized to the 2000 US population. Results Binge drinking among Black men in Midwestern states was high, ranging from 40% in Minnesota to 45.8% in Iowa. Black women in Southern states had 6–10% points higher prevalence of heavy drinking than Black men. Conclusions Drinking prevalence in Southern states was higher than expected, especially among Black women.

Patterns of alcohol consumption in Mexico and mortality from alcohol consumption related diseases: an epidemiological state-clustered study

ABSTRACT Objective The present study aims to describe the patterns of alcohol consumption in Mexico by state, emphasizing the age at onset of alcohol consumption and the epidemiologic magnitude of deaths due to the selected causes related to these medical conditions. Methods This epidemiological study has an observational, descriptive, and retrospective design. A total of 73,088 deaths occurred in Mexico due to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, alcohol-induced pancreatitis, and alcoholic liver disease between 2016 and 2020; the annual rate was 11.3 in 2016 and 12.3 in 2020, showing an increase in the studied period. Results The early onset of alcohol drinking was reported by one of every four responders. Individuals with binge drinking patterns reported an onset of < 18 years of age in 37.8%. At the state level, in Mexico, the early onset of alcohol consumption and binge drinking are directly correlated with age at death due to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, alcohol-induced pancreatitis, and alcoholic liver disease, with average age at death of 55.5 years. Discussion Multilevel, cross-national, and multidisciplinary measures are urgently needed because mortality due to alcohol consumption is a preventable problem. Still, many more issues of social and health-related nature can also be prevented by approaching the alcohol consumption patterns.

Sex differences in neural networks recruited by frontloaded binge alcohol drinking.

Frontloading is an alcohol drinking pattern where intake is skewed towards the onset of access. This study aimed to identify brain regions involved in frontloading. Whole brain imaging was performed in 63 C57Bl/6J (32 female, 31 male) mice that underwent 8 days of binge drinking using drinking-in-the-dark (DID). On Days 1-7 mice received 20% (v/v) alcohol or water for 2 h. Intake was measured in 1-min bins using volumetric sippers. On Day 8 mice were perfused 80 min into the DID session and brains were extracted. Brains were processed to stain for Fos protein using iDISCO+. Following light sheet imaging, ClearMap2.1 was used to register brains to the Allen Brain Atlas and detect Fos+ cells. For network analyses, Day 8 drinking patterns were used to characterize mice as frontloaders or non-frontloaders using a change-point analysis. Functional correlation matrices were calculated for each group from log10 Fos values. Euclidean distances were calculated from these R values and clustering was used to determine modules (highly connected groups of brain regions). In males, alcohol access decreased modularity (three modules in both frontloaders and non-frontloaders) as compared to water (seven modules). In females, an opposite effect was observed. Alcohol access (nine modules for frontloaders) increased modularity as compared to water (five modules). Further, different brain regions served as hubs in frontloaders as compared to control groups. In conclusion, alcohol consumption led to fewer, but more densely connected, groups of brain regions in males but not females and we identify several brain-wide signatures of frontloading.

Sex differences in nucleus accumbens core circuitry engaged by binge-like ethanol drinking.

Growing parity in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) diagnoses in men and women necessitates consideration of sex as a biological variable. In humans and rodents, the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) regulates alcohol binge drinking, a risk factor for developing AUD. We labeled NAcc inputs with a viral retrograde tracer and quantified whole-brain c-Fos to determine the regions and NAcc inputs differentially engaged in male and female mice during binge-like ethanol drinking. We found that binge-like ethanol drinking females had 129 brain areas with greater c-Fos than males. Moreover, ethanol engaged more NAcc inputs in binge-like ethanol drinking females (as compared with males), including GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs. Relative to water controls, ethanol increased network modularity and decreased connectivity in both sexes and did so more dramatically in males. These results demonstrate that early-stage binge-like ethanol drinking engages brain regions and NAcc-inputs and alters network dynamics in a sex-specific manner.

Perceived Risk of Binge Drinking among Older Alcohol Users: Associations with Alcohol Use Frequency, Binge Drinking, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Alcohol Treatment Use.

Despite the high prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking among older adults, little research has been conducted on the association between their alcohol risk perception and alcohol use patterns. Using data on past-year alcohol users aged 50 and older (N = 6693) in the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we examined the (1) associations between risk perception of binge alcohol use 1-2 times a week and alcohol use frequency, binge use frequency, and alcohol use disorder (AUD), and (2) the association between alcohol treatment use and risk perception. About 40% of past-year alcohol users perceived great risk of binge alcohol use 1-2 times a week, and 27% of past-year users had binge drinking in the past month. Multivariable analyses showed the negative association between great risk perception and alcohol use frequency (IRR = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.48-0.74 for daily use) and past-month binge alcohol use (IRR = 0.33, 95%CI = 0.19-0.57 for 6-19 days of binge use). The odds of great risk perception were also lower among those with mild AUD. Risk perception was not significantly associated with alcohol treatment. The lower likelihood of risk perception among problematic alcohol users and low treatment use is concerning. Education and interventions to reduce harm from alcohol are needed.

Rapid nongenomic estrogen signaling controls alcohol drinking behavior.

Ovarian-derived estrogen is a key modulator of numerous physiological processes via genomic and nongenomic mechanisms, including signaling non-canonically at membrane-associated estrogen receptors in the brain to rapidly regulate neuronal function. However, the mechanisms mediating estrogen regulation of behaviors such as alcohol consumption remain unclear. Early alcohol drinking confers greater risk for alcohol use disorder in women than men, and binge alcohol drinking is correlated with high circulating estrogen levels, but a causal role for estrogen signaling in driving alcohol drinking in gonadally-intact animals has not been established. We found that female mice displayed greater binge alcohol drinking and reduced avoidance behavior when circulating estrogen was high during the proestrus phase of the estrous cycle than when it was low, contributing to sex differences in these behaviors. The pro-drinking, but not anxiolytic, effect of high endogenous estrogen state occurred via rapid estrogen signaling at membrane-associated estrogen receptor alpha in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, which promoted synaptic excitation of corticotropin-releasing factor neurons and facilitated their activity during alcohol drinking behavior. This study is the first to demonstrate a rapid, nongenomic signaling mechanism for ovarian-derived estrogen signaling in the brain controlling behavior in gonadally intact females, and it establishes a causal role for estrogen in an intact hormonal context for driving alcohol consumption that contributes to known sex differences in this behavior.

Suicidal ideation in the context of alcohol use among college students: differences across sexual orientation and gender identity

PurposeThere is a dearth of research on suicidal ideation (SI) that occurs specifically in the context of drinking alcohol. Alcohol use and binge drinking are both elevated among college students, among whom sexual and gender minority (SGM) students are at particular risk for SI. This manuscript examines alcohol use, SI, and SI specifically in the context of alcohol use among a large sample of undergraduate students and examines differences across sexual and gender minority groups.MethodsData were drawn from ~ 300,000 students who completed the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) between Spring 2019 and Fall 2022. Participants reported identity variables and information about drinking behaviors and suicidal ideation over the past year. Multilevel models were used for all analyses.ResultsRisky drinking behaviors and higher blood alcohol content during the last episode of social drinking were associated with higher odds of SI while drinking. Rates of risky drinking behaviors, SI, and SI while drinking were elevated among SGM students with SGM men and nonbinary students reporting the highest rates across groups.ConclusionSI while drinking, which is seldom assessed in measures of either measures of suicidal thoughts or alcohol use behavior, is an important construct for further research to improve our understanding of high risk states for suicide. Given elevated rates of alcohol use and SI among college students, providing education and resources to reduce SI while drinking is a critical target for universities, particularly to reduce risk among vulnerable SGM students.

An orbitocortical-thalamic circuit suppresses binge alcohol-drinking.

Alcohol consumption remains a significant global health challenge, causing millions of direct and indirect deaths annually. Intriguingly, recent work has highlighted the prefrontal cortex, a major brain area that regulates inhibitory control of behaviors, whose activity becomes dysregulated upon alcohol abuse. However, whether an endogenous mechanism exists within this brain area that limits alcohol consumption is unknown. Here we identify a discrete GABAergic neuronal ensemble in the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) that is selectively recruited during binge alcohol-drinking and intoxication. Upon alcohol intoxication, this neuronal ensemble suppresses binge drinking behavior. Optogenetically silencing of this population, or its ablation, results in uncontrolled binge alcohol consumption. We find that this neuronal ensemble is specific to alcohol and is not recruited by other rewarding substances. We further show, using brain-wide analysis, that this neuronal ensemble projects widely, and that its projections specifically to the mediodorsal thalamus are responsible for regulating binge alcohol drinking. Together, these results identify a brain circuit in the mOFC that serves to protect against binge drinking by halting alcohol intake. These results provide valuable insights into the complex nature of alcohol abuse and offers potential avenues for the development of mOFC neuronal ensemble-targeted interventions.

The Role of Personalized Normative Feedback in the Efficacy of Brief Intervention Among Argentinian University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF) aims to modify misperceptions about peer consumption that influence one’s drinking. PNF is usually a component in Brief Interventions delivered to university students. Despite this, whether PNF contributes to improving the effect of brief interventions is unclear. Objectives: This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the role of PNF as an active ingredient in a face-to-face motivational brief intervention. Results: Participants were students from an Argentinian university (n=806; M=20.14; SD=3.17; 63.2% women) who presented at least one binge drinking episode in the last 12 months. Students were randomly assigned to 1) a Brief Intervention, 2) a Brief Intervention with PNF, or 3) an evaluation-only control group. The follow-up was three months later. After controlling sex and age, General Linear Models showed that both the brief intervention and the brief intervention with PNF reduced the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and alcohol problems compared to the control condition. No differences were found between the brief intervention and the brief intervention with PNF. Also, treating eight students with brief intervention and 10 with brief intervention with PNF was necessary to benefit one student. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that brief intervention reduces alcohol consumption among Latin American university students and that PNF might not be an active ingredient of its effectiveness in this population. However, PNF could benefit students with specific characteristics, like those who overestimate their peers’ drinking, highlighting the need to study moderators of effectiveness further.

Nucleus accumbens shell cholinergic interneurons potently drive binge alcohol drinking: A commentary on Sharma etal.,2024.

Nucleus accumbens shell cholinergic interneurons potently drive binge alcohol drinking: A commentary on Sharma etal.,2024.

Correlates of Nicotine Dependence Among Current Cigarette Smokers in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The level of dependence on nicotine, the main addictive chemical in tobacco, is a substance-related disorder that can be used to characterize diverse populations of cigarette smokers and to determine the effectiveness of individualized smoking cessation intervention programs. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the correlates of nicotine dependence among currently established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among a cohort of current established cigarette smokers (≥ 100 sticks in a lifetime and someday/everyday cigarette smokers) in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: Nicotine dependence (ND) was measured using the Fagerstrom scale; independent measures were demographics, harm perception, binge alcohol drinking, and past year internalizing and externalizing problems. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the factors associated with severe nicotine dependence. RESULTS: The analytical sample was drawn from 487 adults. Within our sample, 69%, 27%, and 3.9% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (p = 0.02), whereas among daily cigarette smokers, 48.1%, 44.3%, and 7.6% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (p &lt;0.001). In the regression analysis, older age (aOR:1.03; 95% CI:1.01,1.06) and being male (vs. female) (aOR:3.70; 95% CI:1.58,8.15), and reduced cigarette harm perceptions (aOR:2.85; 95% CI: 1.75,4.66) were associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ND. CONCLUSION: Older age, male sex, and those with reduced harm perceptions regarding cigarette use had increased odds of moderate/severe ND. Our preliminary findings provide baseline results characterizing use behaviors among relatively understudied current-established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. CONTRIBUTIONS: All Authors were involved in the conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, writing–review and editing, and project administration.

Adolescent alcohol binge drinking and withdrawal: behavioural, brain GFAP-positive astrocytes and acute methamphetamine effects in adult female rats

RationaleAlcopop beverages are generally the first alcoholic beverage that young females drink which contain high levels of sugar and alcohol. The over-consumption of these drinks may encourage alcohol co-administration with methamphetamine (METH) impacting on drinking behaviour and glial function.AimsThe aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of adolescent binge alcohol exposure on consumption level, anxiety-like behaviour, cross-sensitization with METH and on astrocyte expression in reward related brain regions.MethodsAdolescent female Sprague-Dawley rats had daily 1-hour oral alcohol consumption of alcopop (ALCP; with sucrose) or ethanol-only (ETOH; without sucrose), transitioned from 5 to 15% (v/v) ethanol content for 34 days. Water and sucrose groups act as controls. During alcohol withdrawal, rats were tested for anxiety on the elevated plus maze (EPM) and locomotor activity following saline or METH (1 mg/kg i.p) treatment. Brains were then collected to assess astrocyte immunofluorescence for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in reward-related brain regions.ResultsRats pretreated with 5% ALCP consumed significantly more volume and ethanol intake when compared to 5% EtOH rats. Both ALCP and EtOH groups had a higher preference ratio for 5% than 15% alcohol solutions and ALCP rats had greater ethanol intake at 15% than EtOH rats. Alcohol withdrawal showed no significant differences between groups on anxiety, METH cross-sensitization effects or GFAP intensity in the regions studied.ConclusionsOverall, the addition of sucrose to alcoholic solutions encouraged female rats to consume larger volumes and greater ethanol intake compared to ethanol-only solutions, yet did not have long lasting effects on behaviour and astrocytes.

Changes in alcohol consumption and binge drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic among American Indians residing in California and Oklahoma

ABSTRACT Background: This study explored the increased quantity and frequency of alcohol use in the American Indian (AI) population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: The aims of this study were to explore possible associations between covariables and both binge drinking and alcohol consumption during COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study analyzed data from a sample of AI individuals (63% female) residing in California (n = 411) and Oklahoma (n = 657) between October 2020-January 2021. Analysis included summary statistics and multivariable logistic regression, including a variety of socio-economic, COVID-19 concern, and tobacco and marijuana use variables. Results: One or more alcohol binge episodes were reported between October 2020-January 2021 in 19.3% of participants and elevated overall alcohol consumption was reported by 21.6% of participants. Higher odds of elevated alcohol consumption occurred in women and those following more social distancing measures. The odds of binge drinking or elevated alcohol consumption in those using both marijuana and tobacco (aOR/ adjusted odds ratio:18.9, 95% CI = 8.5, 42.2, and aOR:3.9, 95% CI = 1.7, 8.6, respectively) were higher compared to those using neither. Similarly, the odds of binge drinking or elevated alcohol consumption in those using tobacco only (aOR:4.7, 95% CI = 2.9, 7.7 and aOR: 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1, 3.5, respectively) were higher compared to those using neither. Conclusions: This study found high rates of alcohol use and bingeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Offering collaborative, culturally sensitive, and affordable support services are important components of intervention and preparation for future stressful events on local, as well as global levels.