Lifetime Binge Drinking Research Articles

Posttraumatic stress disorder mediating associations between child sexual abuse and substance use among transgender adults in the United States.

Transgender people experience an excess burden of child sexual abuse (CSA), mental health concerns, and substance use compared to cisgender populations. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been found to mediate the association between CSA and substance use behaviors in cisgender populations, but this dynamic has not been previously examined among transgender adults. The aim of this study is to test if PTSD may mediate a relationship between CSA and substance use among transgender adults. Data were analyzed from the U.S. Transgender Population Health Survey (2016-2018), a national probability sample of transgender adults (N = 274). CSA was measured using the Adverse Childhood Experiences subsection for sexual abuse. Past-month PTSD was measured using the Primary Care-PTSD Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition screening tool. Substance use was determined by lifetime binge drinking, polydrug use, and the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test. Baron and Kenny's approach was used to assess PTSD as a mediator between CSA and substance use. Within our sample, nearly half (45%) of the transgender adults experienced CSA. Lifetime binge drinking (40%), polydrug use (20%), and indications of drug-use-related problems (Drug Use Disorders Identification Test x¯ = 4.52) were frequently reported. Transgender adults who have experienced CSA had increased risk of PTSD and substance use, and PTSD was a mediator in all models. Results suggest that adult transgender CSA survivors are at increased risk of drug and alcohol use, and that PTSD may be an important contextual factor for substance use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Earlier sexual debut as a risk factor for substance use among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kazakhstan.

Limited research have examined predictors of illicit use of drugs and binge drinking among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. This study examines earlier sexual debut as a risk factor for lifetime and recent substance use behaviors among MSM in Kazakhstan. We conducted a secondary analysis of self-reported data from a NIDA-funded HIV prevention trial including 902 adult cisgender MSM in Kazakhstan who completed structured screening interviews. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between earlier sexual debut (ages 16 and older as the reference group) and lifetime and recent substance use, with covariance adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. The majority of MSM in our sample reported lifetime binge drinking behavior (73%) and illicit use of drugs (65%). Participants with an earlier sexual debut before 13 years old had significantly higher odds of lifetime binge drinking and any illicit use of drugs (aOR= 2.3, 95%CI: 1.2-4.5; aOR=3.0, 95%CI: 1.6-5.8). MSM who reported an earlier sexual debut between 13-15 years old had significantly higher odds of lifetime binge drinking and illicit use of any drugs (aOR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.1-2.3; aOR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.1-2.3); as well as recent binge drinking behavior (aOR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.2-2.3). Future research should examine pathways between earlier sexual experiences and substance use behaviors among sexually diverse populations. Earlier sexual experiences during childhood and adolescence may be relevant contextual information for interventions aimed at substance use risk prevention, treatment, and recovery among MSM populations.

Does binge drinking mediate the relationship between four adverse childhood experiences and adult traumatic brain injury? Results from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Cohort

ObjectiveAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Alcohol use may play an important role in this relationship. This study examines whether...

A life-time of hazardous drinking and harm to health among older adults: findings from the Whitehall II prospective cohort study.

AimsTo investigate associations of life‐time hazardous and binge drinking with biomarkers of cardiometabolic health, liver function, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality.DesignProspective cohort study with median follow‐up time to CVD incidence of 4.5 years.SettingLondon, UK: civil servants within the Whitehall II Study.ParticipantsA total of 4820 drinkers aged 59–83 years with biological measurements during the 2011–12 survey.MeasurementsHazardous drinking was defined as having an AUDIT‐C score ≥ 5 calculated at each decade of life, forming the following groups: never hazardous drinker, former early (stopping before age 50), former later (stopping after age 50), current hazardous drinker and consistent hazardous drinker (hazardous drinker at each decade of life).FindingsMore than half the sample had been hazardous drinkers at some point during their life‐time, comprising former early (< age 50) (19%), former later (≥ age 50) (11%), current (21%) and consistent hazardous drinker (AUDIT‐C ≥ 5 across life (5%). After adjusting for covariates, waist circumference was larger with more persistent hazardous drinking (e.g. compared with never hazardous drinkers, former early had increased waist circumference by 1.17 cm [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.25‐2.08]; former later by 1.88 cm (CI = 0.77–2.98); current by 2.44 cm (CI = 1.50–3.34) and consistent hazardous drinker by 3.85 cm (CI = 2.23–5.47). Current hazardous drinkers had higher systolic blood pressure (2.44 mmHg, CI = 1.19–3.68) and fatty liver index scores (4.05 mmHg, CI = 2.92–5.18) than never hazardous drinkers. Current hazardous drinkers [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.75, CI = 1.44–5.22) had an elevated risk of stroke, and former later hazardous drinkers had an elevated risk of non‐CVD mortality (HR = 1.93, CI = 1.19–3.14) than never hazardous drinkers. Life‐time binge drinking was associated with larger waist circumferences and poorer liver function compared with never binge drinkers.ConclusionHazardous drinking may increase cardiometabolic risk factors; this is made worse by persistent hazardous drinking throughout life, particularly in relation to weight gain, suggesting benefits of early intervention.

Effects of the social norms intervention The GOOD Life on norm perceptions, binge drinking and alcohol-related harms: A cluster-randomised controlled trial.

The study aimed to investigate if the school-based social norms intervention The GOOD Life was effective in reducing misperceptions, heavy alcohol use and alcohol-related harms among Danish pupils aged 13–17 years.In total 38 schools were included in a cluster-randomised controlled trial and allocated to either intervention (n = 641) or control group (n = 714) during 2015/2016. Both groups completed an online survey before the intervention and 3 months after baseline. The GOOD Life intervention provided normative feedback tailored for each school-grade using three communication channels: classroom sessions, posters and web application. Outcome measures were overestimation of peers' lifetime binge drinking, binge drinking (5 or more drinks on one occasion) and alcohol-related harms. Intervention effects at follow-up were examined using multilevel logistic regression models.Pupils in the intervention group were less likely to overestimate peers' lifetime binge drinking compared to those in the control group (OR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.33–0.83) and were less likely to report two or more alcohol-related harms (OR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.37–0.93). Overall, no significant effect of the intervention was found on binge drinking. However, among pupils stating it would be ok, if they drank more (n = 296), a preventive effect was found on binge drinking four or more times during the last 30 days (OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.15–0.95). Additionally, the intervention effect on overestimation was higher among pupils who reported binge drinking at baseline.Receiving the intervention had a positive effect on norm perceptions and alcohol-related harms. We also found that the intervention effect differed by baseline status of alcohol use.

Alcohol Misuse and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders Among New Soldiers in the U.S. Army.

Problem drinking that predates enlistment into military service may contribute to the overall burden of alcohol misuse in the Armed Forces; however, evidence bearing on this issue is limited. This study examines prevalence and correlates of alcohol misuse among new U.S. Army soldiers. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from soldiers reporting for basic combat training. The survey retrospectively assessed lifetime alcohol consumption and substance abuse/dependence, enabling estimation of the prevalence of lifetime binge drinking and heavy drinking in a sample of 30,583 soldiers and of probable alcohol use disorder (AUD) among 26,754 soldiers with no/minimal lifetime use of other drugs. Co-occurrence of mental disorders and other adverse outcomes with binge drinking, heavy drinking, and AUD was examined. Discrete-time survival analysis, with person-year the unit of analysis and a logistic link function, was used to estimate associations of AUD with subsequent onset of mental disorders and vice versa. Weighted prevalence of lifetime binge drinking was 27.2% (SE=0.4) among males and 18.9% (SE=0.7) among females; respective estimates for heavy drinking were 13.9% (SE=0.3) and 9.4% (SE=0.4). Among soldiers with no/minimal drug use, 9.5% (SE=0.2) of males and 7.2% (SE=0.5) of females had lifetime AUD. Relative to no alcohol misuse, binge drinking, heavy drinking, and AUD were associated with increased odds of all mental disorders and other adverse outcomes under consideration (adjusted odds ratios [AORs]=1.5 to 4.6; ps<0.001). Prior mental disorders and suicidal ideation were associated with onset of AUD (AORs=2.3 to 2.8; ps<0.001), and prior AUD was associated with onset of mental disorders and suicidal ideation (AORs=2.0 to 3.2, ps<0.005). Strong bidirectional associations between alcohol misuse and mental disorders were observed in a cohort of soldiers beginning Army service. Conjoint recognition of alcohol misuse and mental disorders upon enlistment may provide opportunities for risk mitigation early in a soldier's career.

Alcohol Consumption in Movies and Adolescent Binge Drinking in 6 European Countries

The goal of this study was to investigate whether the association between exposure to images of alcohol use in movies and binge drinking among adolescents is independent of cultural context. A cross-sectional survey study in 6 European countries (Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and Scotland) was conducted. A total of 16 551 pupils from 114 public schools with a mean (± SD) age of 13.4 (± 1.18) years participated. By using previously validated methods, exposure to alcohol use in movies was estimated from the 250 top-grossing movies of each country (years 2004-2009). Lifetime binge drinking was the main outcome measure. Overall, 27% of the sample had consumed >5 drinks on at least 1 occasion in their life. After controlling for age, gender, family affluence, school performance, television screen time, sensation seeking and rebelliousness, and frequency of drinking of peers, parents, and siblings, the adjusted β-coefficient for lifetime binge drinking in the entire sample was 0.12 (95% confidence interval: 0.10-0.14; P < .001). The crude relationship between movie alcohol use exposure and lifetime binge drinking was significant in all countries; after covariate adjustment, the relationship was still significant in 5 of 6 countries. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the association is content specific, as there was no significant association between lifetime binge drinking and exposure to smoking in movies. The link between alcohol use in movies and adolescent binge drinking was robust and seems relatively unaffected by cultural contexts.

School‐based alcohol education: results of a cluster‐randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to examine the effects of a school-based alcohol education intervention. Two-arm three-wave cluster-randomized controlled trial, with schools as the unit for randomization. Surveys were conducted prior to intervention implementation, then 4 and 12 months after baseline. A total of 30 public schools in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Participants Baseline data were obtained from 1686 7th graders. The retention rate was 85% over 12 months. Intervention The intervention consisted of four interactive lessons conducted by teachers, booklets for students and booklets for parents. Knowledge, attitudes, life-time alcohol consumption (ever use alcohol without parental knowledge, ever been drunk and ever binge drinking) and past-month alcohol use. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that intervention status was associated with more general knowledge about alcohol and lower levels of life-time binge drinking. No effects were found with respect to students' self-reported attitudes, intentions to drink, life-time alcohol use and past-month alcohol use. The results indicate that this brief school-based intervention had a small short-term preventive effect on alcohol misuse.