Criteria For Hazardous Drinking Research Articles

The associations of Latino/a racial status and neighborhood discrimination to alcohol use and psychological distress

Minority Stress Theory posits that discrimination is associated with negative mental health outcomes; however, the location of the perceived discrimination may matter. This study examines whether race, inside-neighborhood discrimination, and their interaction are associated with hazardous drinking, alcohol-related consequences, and depressive/anxiety symptoms in a racially diverse sample of Latino/a adults. Participants (N = 296, 63% male, Mage =41, SD = 12.2) who met criteria for hazardous drinking (4/5 drinks per occasion for females/males, respectively) were separated into two racial groups: those who self-identified as either White (21%, n = 63) or a minoritized race (79%, n = 233). Regression analyses explored whether racial status (White/minoritized race), inside-neighborhood discrimination, and their interaction were associated with hazardous drinking, alcohol-related consequences, and anxiety/depressive symptoms. Perceiving more frequent inside-neighborhood discrimination was associated with greater hazardous drinking (B = 0.03, SE = 0.01, p=.003), alcohol-related consequences (B = 1.92, SE = 3.39, p=.001), and depressive symptoms (B = 0.79, SE = 0.25, p=.001). For anxiety symptoms, the interaction between discrimination and racial status was significant (B = 1.62, SE = 0.76, p=.034); greater perceived inside-neighborhood discrimination was related to more anxiety symptoms only for Latino/a individuals with a minoritized race (but not for those who are Latino/a and White). These findings suggest that perceiving neighborhood discrimination is associated with hazardous drinking, alcohol-related consequences, and depressive symptoms among Latino/a individuals regardless of racial status. Further, Latino/a individuals with a minoritized race who report inside-neighborhood discrimination show greater anxiety symptoms than Latino/a White individuals. Findings highlight the importance of exploring the roles of race and discrimination inside one’s neighborhood within the Latino/a population.

A Randomised Open Clinical Study on the Efficacy of ‘Sumukti’- an Indigenous Compound on Subjective Symptoms of Madatyaya With Special Reference to Alcohol Dependence

Introduction: With more than half of all alcohol drinkers in India falling into criteria for hazardous drinking, alcohol related disorders are emerging as a major public problem in country. In Ayurveda alcohol related disorders are correlated to Madatyaya. Here we observe the vitiation of Shareerika and Manasika Doshas and the treatment consists of Doshavasechana, Rasayana and Satvavajaya chikitsa. To fulfill all these treatment measures, an indigenous compound named ‘Sumukti’ which contains 11 drugs with multiple properties of Dosha shamana, Rasayana, Medhya and Yakrit Uttejaka was prepared and administered in the patients of Madatyaya WSR to alcohol dependence. Aims & Objectives: To study the efficacy of indigenous compound- ‘Sumukti’ on alcohol dependence. Methodology: 52 patients were screened by using ‘Alcohol Dependence Scale’. 30 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of Madatyaya WSR to alcohol dependence from OPD and IPD of SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan were selected and compound ‘Sumukti’ was given in the dose of 15ml, thrice a day before half an hour of food for 30 days. Result: There was statistically significant effect seen in subjective parameters with more than 60% improvement. Moderate improvement (50-74%) was seen in majority of patients (53.33%). Marked improvement (75-99%) also seen in 43.33% of patients (13). Conclusion: Compound found effective in subjective symptoms and can be a choice of medicine in alcohol dependence.

Factors Influencing Alcohol Use Among Sexual Minority Women in a Non-Urban Community: A Mixed Methods Study

The present study used a mixed methods design to explore factors influencing alcohol use among sexual minority (lesbian, bisexual, queer, and same-sex attracted) women in a non-urban community. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 15 self-identified sexual minority women regarding the physical, social, and emotional context of two recent incidents of alcohol use. To compliment the interview responses, participants also completed the Lesbian Internalized Homophobia Scale and Psychological Sense of LGBT Community Scale. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data, revealing patterns of alcohol use and influences on drinking across various contexts. The majority of reported incidents met the criteria for hazardous drinking and occurred in public LGBTQ settings. The top reported influences on alcohol use were to decrease anxiety, ease social interaction, enhance enjoyment and fun, and peer pressure to fit in. Patterns across drinking settings, influences, internalized heterosexism, and psychological sense of community are outlined. Implications for practice, research, and communities are discussed.

Screening for Hazardous Drinking Using the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test–Geriatric Version (MAST‐G) in Elderly Persons With Acute Cerebrovascular Accidents

Effective and valid screening methods are needed to identify hazardous drinking in elderly persons with new onset acute medical illness. The goal of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test-Geriatric Version (MAST-G) in identifying hazardous drinking among elderly patients with acute cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) and to compare the effectiveness of 2 shorter versions of the MAST-G with the full instrument. The study sample included 100 men and women who averaged 12 days posthemorrhagic or ischemic CVA admitted to a rehabilitation unit and who were at least 50 years of age and free of substance use other than alcohol. This cross-sectional validation study compared the 24-item full MAST-G, the 10-item Short MAST-G (SMAST-G), and a 2-item regression analysis derived Mini MAST-G (MMAST-G) to the reference standard of hazardous drinking during the past 3 months. Alcohol use was collected using the Timeline Followback (TLFB). Recent and lifetime alcohol-related consequences were collected using the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP). Nearly one-third (28%) of the study sample met the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for hazardous drinking. Moderately strong associations were found for the MAST-G, SMAST-G, and MMAST-G with alcohol quantity and frequency and recent and lifetime alcohol consequences. All 3 MAST-G versions could differentiate hazardous from nonhazardous drinkers and had nearly identical area under the curve characteristics. Comparable sensitivity was found across the 3 MAST-G measures. The optimal screening threshold for hazardous drinking was 5 for the MAST-G, 2 for the SMAST-G, and 1 for the MMAST-G. The 10-item SMAST-G and 2-item MMAST-G are brief screening tests that show comparable effectiveness in detecting hazardous drinking in elderly patients with acute CVA compared with the full 24-item MAST-G. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.