Predictors Of Alcohol Use Disorder Research Articles

Alcohol and common ground: The effects of intoxication on linguistic markers of shared understanding during social exchange.

Most alcohol consumption takes place in social contexts, and the belief that alcohol enhances social interactions has been identified as among the more robust predictors of alcohol use disorder (AUD) development. Yet, we know little of how alcohol affects mental representations of others-what we share and do not share-nor the extent to which intoxication might impact the development of shared understanding (i.e., common ground) between interaction partners. Employing a randomized experimental design and objective linguistic outcome measures, we present two studies examining the impact of alcohol consumption on the development and use of common ground. In Study 1, groups of strangers or friends were administered either alcohol (target Breath Alcohol Content = .08%) or a control beverage, following which they completed a task requiring them to develop a shared language to describe ambiguous images and then describe those images to either a knowledgeable or a naïve partner. The same procedures were completed in Study 2 using a within-subjects alcohol administration design and all-stranger groups. Study 1 findings did not reach significance but suggested that alcohol may facilitate common ground development selectively among stranger groups. This effect emerged as significant in the context of the within-subjects design of Study 2, b = -0.19, p = .007, with participants demonstrating greater facility in establishing common ground during alcohol versus control sessions. Results suggest that alcohol facilitates the development of shared linguistic understanding in novel social spaces, indicating common ground as one potential mechanism to consider in our broader examination of alcohol reinforcement and AUD etiology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

의사결정나무분석을 이용한 성인의 알코올사용장애 위험요인

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors of alcohol use disorder among Korean adults. Methods: Cross-sectional exploratory study based on data collected from Data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2015 were performed in this study. There were 3,248 participants who were 2,558 normal drinkers while 690 had alcohol use disorder. Decision tree analysis were used to exam socio-demographic and health-related factors to predict alcohol use disorder. Results: As a result of decision tree analysis, the predictive model for factors related to alcohol use disorder in Korean adults presented with 8 pathways. The significant predictors of alcohol use disorder were age, gender, smoking, marital status, and house income. Male smokers whose household income is ‘high’ or ‘low’ are most vulnerable to alcohol use disorders. Conclusions: This study indicates that need to consider health behavior and house income when we practice prevention policies and health education of alcohol use disorder.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Alcohol Use among Dayak Adolescents in Sarawak, Malaysia

Introduction: Alcohol is classified as a psychoactive substance, and its dependence is one of the three leading risk factors for death, disability, or disease. Early age alcohol use by the age of 15 is implied to be harmful due to interference in the brain development of adolescents, causing alcohol-related problems later in life. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol use among Dayak adolescents in Sarawak, Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional quantitative research approach. A total of 12 districts within the 12 divisions were selected by multistage stratified cluster sampling. Dayak housing area lists were obtained from district offices and the local councils. The respondents were selected systematically according to male and female respondent houses, and they were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed through IBM SPSS Version 27.0. Results: Dayak adolescents’ mean age was 17.31 years. They were either low-risk (50.0 %), hazardous (31.0%), abstainers (11.0%), harmful (5.0%) or alcohol dependant (3.0%) drinkers. Age (p<.001), gender (p<.05), ethnicity (p<.001), religion (p<.05), employment (p<.001), level of education (p<.01), allowance (p<.001), family relationship (p<.05), and family size (p<.05) were the potential predictors of alcohol use disorder. Conclusion: Dayak adolescent alcohol drinking is prevalent and a public health problem, particularly among disadvantaged socio-economic families. The lower proportion of abstainers suggested that alcohol use among adolescents is on the rise. Hence, the results should be utilised to do targeted health promotion regarding harmful alcohol use among adolescents since early use of alcohol among adolescents may lead to more severe health and non-health outcomes in the future.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Factors Among Elderly in Ethiopia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude and associated factors of alcohol use disorder among the elderly living in 3 towns in South West Ethiopia. Cross-sectional community-based study was done among 382 elderly people aged 60 or more from February to March 2022 in South West Ethiopia. The participants were selected by a systematic random sampling method. Alcohol use disorder, quality of sleep, cognitive impairment, and depression were assessed by using AUDIT, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Standardized Mini Mental State Examination, and geriatric depression scale, respectively. Also, suicidal behavior, elder abuse, and other clinical and environmental factors were assessed. The data was entered into Epi Data Manager Version 4.0.2 before being exported to SPSS Version 25 for analysis. A logistic regression model was used, and variables with a P-value less than .05 in the final fitting model were stated as independent predictors of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The magnitude of alcohol use disorder, current alcohol use, and life-time alcohol use among the elderly was 27.5%, 52.4%, and 89.3%, respectively. Also, 7%, 23%, 8.9%, and none of the elderly had nicotine, khat, inhalants, and cannabis use disorder, respectively. Furthermore, AUD was associated with cognitive impairment (AOR, 95% CI; 2.79 (1.47-5.30)), poor sleep quality (AOR, 95% CI; 3.27 (1.23-8.69)), chronic medical illness (AOR, 95% CI; 2.12 (1.20-3.74)), and suicidal ideation (AOR, 95% CI; 5.27 (2.21-12.60)). Problematic alcohol use was higher among the elderly, and cognitive impairment, poor sleep quality, having chronic medical illness, and suicidal ideation were risk factors for AUD. Therefore, community level screening for AUD and comorbid risk factors among this particular age group and managing them is crucial to prevent further complications due to AUD.

Alcohol use disorder relapse factors: an exploratory investigation of craving, alcohol dependence severity, and meaning in life

For decades predictors of alcohol use disorder (AUD) relapse have been studied, and around 40 different clinical and demographic relapse determinants have been identified. This paper aims to investigate the relationship of two of these AUD relapse factors, namely craving and meaning in life (MiL). We hypothesized that greater meaning in life would be associated with lower cravings and lower relapse rates. An AUD subsample of 81 patients within a clinical population that participated in ongoing exploratory research on religious/spiritual factors related to substance use disorders was followed up to 1 year. Craving (as measured with the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale) and meaning in life (as measured with the Meaning in Life Questionnaire- presence subscale) measures were assessed at baseline and relapse was assessed at 6- and 12-month follow up. Main effects and the interaction between craving and meaning in life in predicting alcohol relapse (with relapse defined as ‘any alcohol use’ and ≥ 3 consecutive days of drinking) were calculated/subject of analyses. We also investigated the relationship between relapse and alcohol dependence severity as measured with the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire. Baseline craving and dependence severity were related to relapse, but there were no associations between meaning in life and levels of craving or alcohol relapse. Our findings suggest a need for additional research on characterizing the Meaning in Life concept.

Family-Based Predictors of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Recurrence and New Non-Alcohol Substance Use Disorder Onset Following Initial AUD Recovery

Knowledge of factors that predict alcohol use disorder (AUD) recurrence or the subsequent switching to a different substance use disorder (SUD) after initial AUD recovery is especially crucial for preventive efforts that seek to alter life courses dominated by problematic substance use. This study evaluated whether the proportions (or densities) of first-degree relatives with AUD and non-alcohol substance use disorder (NASUD) histories predicted AUD recurrence or a new NASUD onset in a family member (i.e., proband) following initial AUD episode recovery. This research is based on a prospective and multigenerational data set collected as part of the Oregon Adolescent Depression Project (OADP). The initial proband cohort was selected randomly from nine high schools in western Oregon. The sample for this research consisted of OADP probands with histories of AUD who recovered from their first AUD episode by age 30 (n = 244). Lifetime SUD histories were also assessed for first-degree adult relatives of probands (n = 790). In unadjusted and partially adjusted analyses, family densities of AUD predicted AUD recurrence among probands, and family densities of NASUDs predicted the onset of a new NASUD following first-episode AUD recovery. In fully adjusted analyses, the effect for AUD family histories on proband AUD recurrence remained, whereas the effect for family NASUD histories on new NASUD emergence was not maintained. Family SUD histories have predictive relevance for the course of AUD following initial recovery as well as some specificity for the type of SUD recurrence subsequently experienced.

Demographic and Clinical Differences Between Bipolar Disorder Patients With and Without Alcohol Use Disorders.

BackgroundBipolar disorder (BD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are two major independent causes of psychopathology in the general population. The prevalence of AUD in BD is high. Identifying the clinical and demographic features of patients with BD who may develop AUD could help with early identification and intervention.MethodsData from 238 patients diagnosed with BD were gathered on alcohol use, social demographics, longitudinal course of BD, clinical features of the most severe lifetime manic and depressive episodes, comorbid physical diseases, anxiety disorders, and other substance use disorders.ResultsWe found that 74 of 238 BD patients had AUD (67 with alcohol dependence and 7 with alcohol abuse). Bivariate logistic regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis found that the best predictors of AUD in patients with BD were being male (OR = 2.086, 95% CI = 1.094–3.979, p = 0.001), younger (OR = 0.965, 95% CI = 0.935–0.996, p = 0.026), and comorbidity with other unclassified substance dependence (OR = 10.817, 95% CI = 1.238–94.550, p = 0.031).ConclusionsMale, younger current age, and having other substance use disorders were independently associated with AUD.

Association of prenatal alcohol exposure with preadolescent alcohol sipping in the ABCD study®

BackgroundEarly alcohol use initiation is one of the strongest predictors of alcohol use disorders. Identifying modifiable risk factors for problematic alcohol use can guide prevention initiatives. Globally, approximately 10% of women consume alcohol during pregnancy, however the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on offspring alcohol use patterns has been understudied. The aim of this study was to examine associations between PAE and preadolescent alcohol use behaviors. MethodsCross-sectional data were utilized from 10,119 children aged 9.0–10.9 years (M = 9.9, SD = 0.6) enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study®, based in the United States. Linear mixed models tested associations between PAE and endorsement of non-religious alcohol sipping in offspring, when adjusting for confounding factors. ResultsIn total, 2675 (26.4 %) youth were prenatally exposed to alcohol. Among PAE youth, total standard drinks consumed during pregnancy ranged from 0.4–90.0 drinks (M = 26.8, SD = 24.5). Compared to unexposed youth, those with any alcohol exposure during early pregnancy (∼0−7 weeks) were 1.7 times (95 % CI 1.4–2.0, p < .0001) more likely to endorse sipping alcohol by ages 9–10, while youth with low-level doses of alcohol throughout the entire pregnancy were 2.9 times (95 % CI 1.9–4.6, p < .0001) more likely to endorse sipping, when adjusting for confounding factors. A dose-dependent association between total standard drinks consumed during pregnancy and youth sipping endorsement was observed (β = 0.2, 95 % CI 0.1–0.2, p < .0001). ConclusionsThis study shows that any alcohol use during pregnancy may play an important role in very early alcohol use experimentation among offspring by ages 9–10.

Chronic childhood adversity and speed of transition through stages of alcohol involvement

BackgroundWhile research suggests that chronic childhood adversities may be predictors of alcohol use disorders, little is known of their influence on accelerated transitions through stages of alcohol involvement. We estimated the speed of transition from first opportunity (to first drink, regular drinking) to alcohol use disorder, by type and number of childhood adversities experienced. MethodsNine-hundred-and-fifteen individuals participated in the Mexican Adolescent Mental Health Survey (a stratified multistage probabilistic sample), first as adolescents (12–17 years of age) and again eight years later as young adults (19–26 years of age). The WHO World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI) assessed DSM-IV alcohol use disorders and twelve chronic childhood adversities. We calculated random coefficient models to estimate the association of childhood adversities with speed through stages of alcohol use involvement. ResultsMean time from opportunity to disorder was 4.08 years and the average growth rate was 1.36 years between each stage of involvement. Some, but not all, childhood adversities accelerated the growth rate, decreasing latency between each stage of alcohol use involvement from 1.36 to 0.93 years for witnessing family violence, 0.87 years for having a life-threatening illness, 0.79 years for sexual abuse to 0.77 years for physical abuse (p < 0.01). ConclusionsThere is a narrower window of opportunity to prevent progression through stages of alcohol involvement in youth who have experienced certain childhood adversities. Our findings are consistent with the dimensional approach of childhood adversity that distinguishes between experiences of threat and deprivation that might differentially influence neurological development.

A positive screen for military sexual trauma is associated with greater risk for substance use disorders in women veterans.

Military sexual trauma (MST) is a significant public health issue associated with adverse psychiatric outcomes, including heightened risk for suicide, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use disorders. Recently, research has begun exploring gender-linked disparities in mental health outcomes for individuals who experience MST. The current study assessed whether women who screened positive for MST were at disproportionately higher risk for diagnoses of alcohol-use disorder (AUD) or drug-use disorder (DUD) relative to men. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinical data were extracted for 435,690 military veterans who separated from the military between 2004 and 2011 and had at least 5 years of follow-up data after their initial VHA visit until the end of fiscal year 2014. Logistic regression models examined the main and interactive effects of gender and screening positively for MST as predictors of AUD and DUD. MST positive screens were associated with increased rates of both AUD and DUD across genders. Although rates of both AUD and DUD were higher among men, the increased rate of diagnosis associated with MST positive screens was proportionally higher for women than men (interaction adjusted odds ratios = 1.43 and 1.17 for AUD and DUD, respectively), indicating the presence of a gender-linked health risk disparity. This disparity was more pronounced for AUD than DUD (p < .01). The current study adds to previous literature documenting increased risk for women exposed to MST. These findings support efforts to reduce the occurrence of MST and continued use of MST screening measures within the VHA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Alcohol use disorders and its association with family factors among undergraduates of obafemi awolowo university, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: Alcohol is a socially acceptable substance that plays a key traditional role in the African setting. Family factors such as dysfunctional family background may increase the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) among university students.Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of AUD and its association with family factors among undergraduates of a Nigerian university.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey involved 360 consenting undergraduates recruited from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Demographic variables were obtained with a questionnaire, whereas AUD was measured with AUD Identification Test. Family factors assessed were family structure, family socioeconomic status, family functioning, parenting styles and perceived social support (PSS).Results: The mean age of respondents was 21.12 years (standard deviation = 2.37) and 223 (61.9%) were males. The prevalence of AUD was 16.7%. Factors significantly associated with AUD were demographic variables – being male (P < 0.001) and traditional religion (P = 0.024) and family factors – low socioeconomic class (P = 0.023), dysfunctional family (P < 0.001) and father use of alcohol (P = 0.001). Respondents with AUD reported significantly lower mean score on all the PSS subscales: family (P = 0.001), friend (P < 0.001) and significant other (P < 0.001) and authoritative parenting style of father (P < 0.001) and mother (P < 0.001). Predictors of AUD were male sex, father use of alcohol, father authoritative parenting style and high PSS from friends.Conclusion: AUD is prevalent among Nigerian undergraduates with male sex and some family factors associated with it. The results of this study have significant implications for both primary and secondary prevention efforts.

Predictors of Alcohol Use Disorders Among Baby Boomers Across the Life Course.

Research suggests that baby boomers entering older adulthood may possess unique alcohol use patterns over time. Using the life course perspective as a guiding framework, this empirical study sought to examine correlates of alcohol use disorders among baby boomers by examining representative data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health at two points in time, 1998 (N = 6,213) and 2010 (N = 5,880). Results from logistic regression analyses suggest that predictors of alcohol use disorders evolve over time as baby boomers continue to age. Risk factors for alcohol use disorders among baby boomers may include concurrent unprescribed pain reliever use, p < .01, while protective factors such as income, p < .01, and social supports, p = .01, may be of increased importance. Based on the findings of this study, practice implications and future research are discussed.

Underage drinking as a predictor of alcohol use disorder among African Americans

This study aimed to examine the effect of underage drinking (UD) on alcohol use disorder (AUD) among African Americans. Data from the 2010 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (N = 19 240; age range 25–75 years) were analysed for the study. Following regression analysis, African Americans with a history of underage drinking were found to be approximately four times more likely to experience AUD than their counterparts without a history of underage drinking. Within the underage drinking history group, those who are married and who had higher levels of education were less likely to have AUD compared to single persons who had lower levels of education. Age and gender did not predict AUD among those with a history of underage drinking. The findings of this study suggest that familial relationships may moderate the risks for AUD from UD. Primary socialisation theory might explain risk for AUD from UD among African Americans by way of intergenerational transmission of health values.

Differing patterns of stress and craving across the day in moderate-heavy alcohol consumers during their typical drinking routine and an imposed period of alcohol abstinence.

BackgroundStress is a known factor related to alcohol use. However, how the relationship between alcohol craving and stress varies across the day is not fully understood. As craving is a consistent predictor of alcohol use disorder (AUD), understanding stress and craving patterns across the day in routine, non-dependent, moderate-heavy alcohol consumers may help in understanding those who may be vulnerable to transitioning into AUD.MethodModerate-heavy drinkers were recruited from the local community (n = 32) and assessed for fluctuations in craving and stress intensity across the day via Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) during 3 consecutive days of imposed alcohol abstinence (abstained trial) and their normal drinking routine (normal trial). A multilevel modeling statistical approach assessed differences in diurnal craving and stress patterns with the Alcohol Craving Experience Questionnaire (ACE) examined as a moderator.ResultsImmediately following alcohol consumption on normal trials, EMA craving levels were significantly reduced compared to pre-drinking levels. Moreover, the post-drinking craving levels were lower than on abstained trials. Higher ACE scores were associated with significantly higher EMA craving across the day and higher peaks at midday. Higher ACE scores were also associated with greater EMA stress across the day. Drinking relieved stress relative to abstained trials, but not in individuals with higher ACE scores. Higher stress was associated with greater EMA craving, which was stronger among those with higher ACE scores.ConclusionThese findings suggest that ACE scores are important to understanding patterns of stress and craving experienced across the day in routine, non-dependent, moderate-heavy drinkers and may provide new insights for vulnerability to transitioning into AUD.

Alcohol use disorder and emotional abuse: the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas

Objective: Studies have shown a relationship between the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the existence of childhood traumas (CT). In this study, in order to gain a better understanding of the association between CT and AUD, the relationship between CT and AUD was analyzed. Further, it was investigated whether Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) play a mediating role in the relationship between emotional abuse (EA) and AUD. Methods: The participants were consecutively admitted male alcohol-dependent inpatients (n=220) and healthy controls (n=108). The participants were investigated with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Mediation ana-lyses were conducted in order to evaluate the mediating effect of EMS between the relationship of AUD and CT. Results: The difference between CT total score and the EA score between the control group and the AUD group were statistically significant. An analysis of different types of traumas in the correlation with AUD revealed EA as the main predictor of AUD both directly and through its mediating effect with the EMS. In addition, it was determined that in the relationship between EA and AUD, EMS such as Enmeshment, Emotional Inhibition, Dependence and Insufficient Self-Control had mediating effect. Discussion: CT, especially EA are quite common in male inpatients with AUD and the negative effects of EA may play an important role in the development of AUD by causing EMS. Our findings imply that those with EA history in childhood may be particularly vulnerable to the development of AUD in adulthood. Therefore, in the prevention of the development and in the treatment of AUD, it may be useful to take into consideration EA experiences, to screen EMS that may mediate such relationship through scales and to conduct interventions in this regard.

Relationships of Impulsivity and Subjective Response to Alcohol Use and Related Problems.

Impulsivity and subjective response to alcohol are predictors of alcohol use disorder. The purpose of this study was to replicate and extend prior research examining relationships between impulsivity and subjective response patterns. In addition, impulsivity and initial subjective response patterns were examined in relation to current heavy episodic drinking and alcohol-related problems. Data were cross-sectional, retrospective self-reports, obtained from baseline assessments from five studies affiliated with the Yale Center for the Translational Neuroscience of Alcoholism. Analyses were conducted in a sample restricted to nondependent, young adults (n = 186) and in a larger, more heterogeneous sample (n = 363). Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression in three separate types of models. In the young adult, nondependent sample, impulsivity was a statistically significant predictor of lower recent sedative subjective response. Impulsivity and initial sedative subjective response patterns were statistically significant predictors of past-year heavy drinking. Impulsivity, but not initial subjective response patterns, was a statistically significant predictor of past-year alcohol-related problems. Findings in the larger sample were similar. More-impulsive individuals may perceive less sedation from alcohol, which is associated with increased heavy drinking. However, higher levels of impulsivity may be more responsible than diminished subjective response for poor decision making that results in negative drinking consequences. These results suggest that high impulsivity and certain subjective response patterns are worthy intervention targets.

Proximal vs. distal predictors of alcohol use disorders and treatment utilization in at-risk men in early middle age

Understanding factors that predict both development and treatment of alcohol misuse and its consequences can inform prevention and treatment efforts. This study used measures of both proximal (e.g., behaviors) and distal (e.g., traits) risk factors that were predicted to relate to both an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and to treatment utilization among AUD-diagnosed men to test the hypothesis that both type of factors predict AUDs but only proximal factors influence treatment-seeking. Analyses of variance with contrasts were used to compare the means for risk factors between men with an AUD and AUD-free men and—given an AUD diagnosis—between men who were treated for an AUD and untreated men (n=181). As predicted, men with AUDs differed on a broad range of proximal and distal factors, including number of alcohol problems, alcohol-related influences of peers and partners, alcohol expectancies, familial factors, and psychopathology. As hypothesized, only proximal risk factors predicted treatment-seeking among the AUD men, particularly alcohol problems and related consequences.

Pattern and predictors of alcohol use disorders in a family practice in Nigeria.

Background:Primary care has been identified as a key setting for the reduction of alcohol-related harm, while general practitioners are expected to play a significant role. The study aimed at identifying pattern of, and factors that are associated with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among patients attending Family Medicine unit of State University Teaching Hospital.Materials and Methods:Sample was selected through a random sampling from a population of patients, aged 18-65 years, attending the general medical out-patients unit of the hospital from January to April 2013. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was administered, incorporating sociodemographics and the diagnoses made by the attending Physician. The participants also completed the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) questionnaire and the patient health questionnaire-9.Results:The prevalence of AUDs among the population of general out-patients was 9.7%. The AUDIT scores of the participants range from 0 to 29 with a mean of 1.3 (standard deviation = 4.08). AUDs were significantly associated with gender, level of education, occupational class, and the presence of significant depressive symptoms (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant association found for age, employment status, marital status, and religion.Conclusion:The prevalence of AUDs among population studied was lower compared with a similar study in similar setting, but however, significant. AUDs were predicted by gender, lower education level, occupational group, and the presence of significant depressive symptoms mostly in the mild to moderate form. Identifying the group at risk in clinical setting may go a long way in reducing the adverse effect of AUDs in our society.

Examining the influence of mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder on alcohol use disorder in OEF/OIF veterans.

Examine (1) impact of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, (2) frequency of alcohol use disorder in male and female combat Veterans, and (3) influence of PTSD and mTBI on alcohol use disorder. A retrospective medical-record review extracted the following data for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans (N = 1,278) who completed a semi-structured mental health evaluation: alcohol use disorder diagnoses, PTSD symptom criteria, and Brief Traumatic Brain Injury Screen. Logistic regressions tested if PTSD and mTBI predicted which Veterans had an alcohol use disorder diagnosis. Veterans with mTBI had more re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms than Veterans without mTBI. Men and women differed regarding alcohol use. For men, PTSD predicted alcohol use diagnosis while mTBI did not. For women, neither mTBI nor PTSD predicted alcohol use diagnosis. Findings from this study can inform treatment providers by alerting them to the possibility of subthreshold PTSD in Veterans with mTBI. Providers may begin PTSD treatments or consider targeting hyperarousal symptoms early in treatment to reduce distress. PTSD is also uniquely associated with alcohol use disorder in male Veterans, while more research on predictors of alcohol use disorder is needed for female Veterans.

Predicting an Alcohol Use Disorder in Urban American Indian Youths

This study examines predictors of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among an urban American Indian cohort who were followed from approximately age 11 to age 20. Approximately 27% of the sample had a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence. The results indicated that externalizing, but not internalizing, behaviors, family conflict, and school liking served as significant predictors of an AUD. Neither having an alcoholic mother nor an alcoholic father was found to be significantly predictive of an alcohol use disorder at ages 19 and 20. Finally, early alcohol initiation was a substantial predictor of an AUD and acted as a partial mediator.