Levels Of Alcohol Abuse Research Articles

Psychological Well-Being of Adult Psoriasis Patients: A Narrative Review

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory condition, and psychiatric comorbidities are common in this condition. It is a non-communicable, autoimmune, and incurable disease. Psoriasis causes an adverse effect and is connected with various psychological symptoms like social isolation, guilt, and embarrassment of a patient. They decrease self-esteem because of depression, anxiety, stress, and substance abuse adults. The prevalence rate of adults is gradually increasing. This study uses various scales to evaluate the level of psoriasis. This study aims to evaluate the level of depression, anxiety, stress, and substance abuse among adult psoriasis patients and to identify the factors affecting psoriasis patients. A detailed search was carried out using essential databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and the World Health Organization (WHO) database to search for articles elucidating the same. In total articles, 36 out of 160 are selected. All studies found that psoriasis is at a positive level in that the level of depression and anxiety is moderate to severe, the level of stress is moderate, the level of alcohol abuse is higher, and the level of smoking consumption is ever-increasing. A severe skin condition that impacts the quality of life and psychological health. It has become a public health issue. All the selected articles assessed patients who were highly affected by depression, anxiety, stress, and abuse. They also assessed the various comorbidities related to psoriasis.

Interventions for Subjects with Depressive Symptoms with or without Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Are There Different Patterns of Change?

Background: It has been suggested that alcohol problems negatively affect therapeutic interventions for depression. This study examines the patterns of change in depressive symptoms following an intervention for depression, in participants with or without comorbid unhealthy alcohol use.Methods: Depressive symptoms (BDI–II), perceived control of depressive symptoms (UNCONTROL) and unhealthy alcohol use (AUDIT) were assessed in 116 patients before and after attending a cognitive behavioral psychoeducational intervention for depression. At pretest the mean score of AUDIT was 8.1, indicating a, on average, risk of harmful level of alcohol abuse. At pretest the majority of the total sample had a moderate degree of depressive symptoms, with a mean BDI–II score of 25.1 and 36.2% had a risky use of alcohol as measured with AUDIT score at 8 points or above. To assess the relationship between depressive symptoms, perceived uncontrollability of depression and alcohol use across time, a cross-lagged panel model was estimated.Results: A clinical significant reduction of depressive symptoms, and a parallel and statistically significant increase in the perceived control of depressive symptoms, was identified after attending a cognitive behavioral psychoeducational intervention for depression. At posttest, the mean BDI–II score was 17.8, demonstrating a statistically significant decrease of 7.3 points in depressive symptoms from before starting the course to 6 months later. The effect size (d-value) of 0.83 can be interpreted as a large decrease in depressive symptoms. In this sample alcohol use and depressive symptoms seemed to be unrelated. The cross-lagged correlation panel analysis indicated that a high degree of perceived control of depressive symptoms leads to a reduction in depressive symptoms, and not vice versa.Conclusion: We found that this intervention for depression were effective in reducing depressive symptoms. The patterns of change seemed to be independent of risky use of alcohol, although leaving the study was systematically associated with higher AUDIT-scores. As participants with or without unhealthy alcohol use show the same patterns of change regarding reduction of depressive symptoms and perceived control of depression, both groups could be offered the same cognitive behavioral psychoeducational interventions for depression.

Therapeutic efficacy of original anticonvulsant meta-chloro-benzhydrylurea (m-ch-BHU) in the treatment of patients with a compulsive craving for alcohol

IntroductionThe problem of the treatment of alcohol addiction is very difficult due to the reoccurrence of relapses. One of the major concepts of the formation of alcohol addiction is the concept of epileptic origin of compulsive craving for alcohol.ObjectiveWe investigated therapeutic efficacy of long-term dosing of original anticonvulsant (m-ch-BHU) on symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in patients with a compulsive craving for alcohol.MethodsSixty-eight male alcoholic patients aged from 24 to 53 years with different levels of alcohol abuse were examined. Type of course of alcoholism in examined patients was of middle-progressing character. Clinical evaluation of state of patients was carried out with traditional clinical description. Quantitative characterization was conducted according to Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale. m-ch-BHU was administered to alcoholic patients at dose from 300 mg a day during 21 days against the background of conventional medication as well as in post-withdrawal period under various degrees of severity of affective disorders.ResultsAmong affective disorders dysphoric symptoms have a marked tropism for m-ch-BHU. Of the other clinical manifestations in the structure of AWS cerebral diencephalic paroxysms, cardiovascular and myofascial symptoms have the most pronounced sensitivity to the drug. In patients with complicated forms of alcoholism application of m-ch-BHU is effective also in phase of remission in spontaneously arising symptom complex of neurovegetative manifestations of primary pathological craving for ethanol called “dry abstinence”.ConclusionsOur data allows recommending the use of m-ch-BHU under outpatient conditions as an anti-recurrent and preventive agent.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Mixed beriberi: Sub acute cardiac beriberi with neurological involvement

We present a case of mixed beriberi, with cardiac and neurological involvement (dry beriberi). Prolonged Thiamine deficiency causes beriberi, which is classically categorized as wet or dry; although, there is considerable overlap. In either form of beriberi, patients may complain of pain and paresthesia. This is a treatable condition sometimes with incomplete recovery, but it is probably under recognized yet increasingly common due to increasing levels of alcohol abuse. The disorder is a metabolic emergency and requires immediate treatment with intravenous thiamine. Sudden cardiac failure is common. Death occurs from right heart failure and the patient usually dies fully conscious. This patient was successfully treated with intravenous thiamine.

Rapidly progressive polyneuropathy due to dry beriberi in a man: a case report

IntroductionWe describe a case of rapidly progressive and severely debilitating polyneuropathy in a patient with confirmed hypovitaminosis B1, consistent with dry beriberi. Crucially, this is a treatable condition, although sometimes with incomplete recovery, but it is probably under-recognized yet increasingly common given increasing levels of alcohol abuse in the western world.Case presentationA 49-year-old Caucasian British man presented with progressive weakness of both lower limbs of approximately seven months' duration. He noted difficulty climbing stairs. He also complained of lethargy, and loss of muscle bulk, including his thighs. He had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and admitted prior alcohol abuse but denied excessive alcohol intake in the five years prior to presentation. Initial clinical and neurophysiological examinations were consistent with a mild peripheral neuropathy and probable proximal myopathy. However, over the subsequent four months he evolved a marked tetraparesis, with profound sensory disturbance of all limbs. Repeat neurophysiology revealed a widespread polyneuropathy with extensive acute and sub-acute denervation changes in all four limbs, and reduced or absent sensory nerve action potentials. Hypovitaminosis B1 was confirmed (45 nmol/L, reference range 66-200 nmol/L). His rapid clinical deterioration was in keeping with dry beriberi. He was treated with thiamine. Subsequent follow-up revealed slow but significant improvement, such that by 15-16 months from the initial onset of symptoms, and approximately six months after the onset of his marked tetraparesis, he was able to stand independently and was gradually gaining confidence in walking pending a period of in-patient neurorehabilitation.ConclusionA potentially wide differential diagnosis exists for this type of presentation. Confirming hypovitaminosis B1 by requesting the assay prior to vitamin replacement ensures accurate diagnosis and appropriate ongoing treatment. An increasingly high index of suspicion is likely to be required in the context of increasing levels of alcohol abuse in the western world and the possible increasing prevalence of dry beriberi.

Suggestive linkage at 9p22 in bipolar disorder weighted by alcohol abuse

Bipolar disorder (BP) is a highly heritable disorder, however attempts to map genetic risk factors are challenging. One possible reason for these difficulties is the genetic heterogeneity of BP. Hence, focusing on clinically homogeneous families to create a genetically more homogeneous sample may increase the power of finding a specific variant. Alcohol abuse (AA) and alcohol dependence (AD) are familial in BP families, and these families may carry a specific risk variant for BP. We tested this hypothesis by performing a genome-wide linkage scan in 638 pedigrees (1,835 individuals) from the National Institute of Mental Health Genetics Initiative for BP, weighting the evidence for linkage according to the family's frequency of AA or AD. Using AA weighting, we identified a linkage region on 9p22.2 with an NPL score of 3.23. The region had previously been identified in a meta-analysis of linkage in bipolar disorder. We used permutation analysis to assess if weighting by AA increased the linkage signal more than expected by chance and observed a significant P-value (P = 0.048). Therefore, the genetic risk factor for BP on 9p22.2 has an increased effect in families with high levels of AA. In summary, we present an example of using covariates such as AA and AD to define subtypes of BP, demonstrate how using such subtypes can improve the power of a linkage scan, and demonstrate statistical approaches to validate the suggested interaction.

Patterns of attachment and alcohol abuse in sexual and violent non-sexual offenders

Two studies related to substance abuse and sexual offending were conducted. In the first study, a sample of 94 sexual offenders and 21 violent non-sexual offenders, incarcerated within the Ontario Region of Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), were administered the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST), the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) and the Relationship Styles Questionnaire (RSQ). The Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) was also scored for the majority of offenders included in the present study. Results indicated that the groups differed on PCL-R score, with both rapists and violent non-sexual offenders scoring significantly higher than the child molesters with reference to total PCL-R score. Sex offenders’ mean score on the MAST were significantly higher than those of the violent non-sexual offenders. The mean score on the MAST for sex offenders was in the problem drinking range. With reference to attachment pattern, sex offenders were found to be more preoccupied than violent non-sexual comparison subjects. In the second study, a sample of sexual offenders, all of whom exhibited elevated levels of alcohol abuse as measured by the MAST, were divided into two groups based on whether or not they had completed a substance abuse treatment programme. Sexual offenders (all of whom received sex offender-specific treatment) who also received substance abuse treatment evidenced significantly lower levels of general recidivism than those who did not complete such treatment. Results are discussed in light of previous findings in relation to differing patterns of substance abuse between sexual and violent non-sexual offenders observed in the literature as well as with reference to Marshall's attachment theory.

Place Conditioning: Age‐Related Changes in the Rewarding and Aversive Effects of Alcohol

Background: Alcohol abuse levels are very high in adolescents, creating a significant societal issue. It has been shown that people who begin alcohol use as adolescents are more likely to become addicts than people who initiate alcohol use as adults. It is important to note that the development of addiction in humans is more rapid with initiation in adolescence than in adulthood.Methods: To determine changes in the reinforcing efficacy of alcohol as a function of adolescent development, we used a place‐conditioning paradigm. In this study, we assessed the ability of ethanol to support a conditioned place preference (CPP) or aversion. Animals [postnatal days (PND) 25, 35, 45, and 60] were tested for alcohol‐induced conditioning in response to a range of ethanol doses (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg intraperitoneally) or saline.Results: In general, there was a trend for alcohol to produce an aversion to the ethanol‐paired compartment at higher doses. These patterns differed significantly as a function of age. Younger animals (PND 25) exhibited a CPP to a low dose and an aversion at high doses. Late‐adolescent (PND 45) animals exhibited a CPP at two moderate doses but a conditioned place aversion at the highest dose. PND 35 and 60 animals did not exhibit a CPP at any examined dose, and PND 60 animals exhibited a progressive aversion with increasing dose.Conclusions: The data show that the developmental processes of adolescence influence general responsiveness to alcohol. Specifically, late‐adolescent animals (PND 45) seem to prefer doses of alcohol that are either not reinforcing (0.5 g/kg) or are aversive (1.0 g/kg) at other ages. These processes need to be examined thoroughly to understand the development of addiction in adolescence. This is especially important given that alcohol abuse in adolescence may interfere with the usual pattern of brain development as it relates to alcohol reinforcement.

Missed psychiatric cases — the effectiveness of a court diversion scheme

Court Diversion Schemes have been evaluated in terms of clinical outcome or case disposal in studies focusing on individuals who are referred to the scheme. Little is known about the 'psychiatric caseness' of court defendants not referred. The present study was undertaken with the aims of identifying levels of 'missed caseness' in an 'in-custody' population at a busy London Magistrates court and to consider how such populations might be more effectively screened. A random sample of individuals in custody was selected and semi-structured interviews conducted (n = 100). Very high levels of alcohol abuse, illicit drug misuse and histories of deliberate self-harm were found. Such individuals were very unlikely to be referred to the duty psychiatrist scheme. These findings highlight the difficulties in screening for alcohol abuse, illicit drug misuse and histories of deliberate self-harm in an in-custody court population. The context in which screening takes place is discussed. Realistic and inexpensive improvements are suggested for identifying those at greatest risk.

Missed 'psychiatric' cases? The effectiveness of a Court Diversion Scheme.

Court Diversion Schemes have been evaluated in terms of clinical outcome or case disposal in studies focusing on individuals who are referred to the scheme. Little is known about the 'psychiatric caseness' of court defendants not referred. The present study was undertaken with the aims of identifying levels of 'missed caseness' in an 'in-custody' population at a busy London Magistrates court and to consider how such populations might be more effectively screened. A random sample of individuals in custody was selected and semi-structured interviews conducted (n = 100). Very high levels of alcohol abuse, illicit drug misuse and histories of deliberate self-harm were found. Such individuals were very unlikely to be referred to the duty psychiatrist scheme. These findings highlight the difficulties in screening for alcohol abuse, illicit drug misuse and histories of deliberate self-harm in an in-custody court population. The context in which screening takes place is discussed. Realistic and inexpensive improvements are suggested for identifying those at greatest risk.

Alcoholism and Marital Violence

In certain situations alcoholics who batter their partners become involved in alcohol treatment programs, but in other apparently similar situations, they participate in batterer treatment programs. This paper presents a comparison of men (in an ongoing relationship with a partner) enrolled in batterer programs (N = 39) or alcohol treatment programs (N = 52) on factors related to marital violence. Factors which were compared included: age, education, income, race, marital status, current level of marital stress, level of self esteem, socially desirable response bias, attitude toward marital violence, level of sex-role egalitarianism, history of childhood violence, level of violence in current relationship, and level of alcohol abuse. Very few differences between the men were found on any of the variables. The majority of men in both groups were alcoholics and used violent conflict tactics in their relationships. Implications for treatment of dually affected men are presented.

Alcohol Abuse Among Grandsons of Alcoholics: Some Preliminary Findings

Drawing upon self-reports of family history for alcoholism, the present study compared the level of alcohol abuse among grandsons of alcoholic maternal and paternal grandfathers. Although based on a small sample of grandsons (N = 29), the results indicated a significantly higher level of alcohol abuse among maternal compared with paternal grandsons.

Employee Drug and Alcohol Use Estimates: Assessment Styles and Issues

Estimates of employee drug and alcohol abuse levels are increasingly used by employers to evaluate Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). It is important to understand what goes into an estimate and the issues surrounding the utilization of such estimates. When estimates suggest that employee drug and alcohol abuse has not diminshed while Employee Assistance Program costs have been consistently high or increasing, these programs may be cut back or cancelled. Employees who are in need of these programs may lose them.