Problematic Alcohol Use Research Articles

Stereotype threat contributes to poorer recall performance among undergraduate students with problematic drinking patterns.

Stereotype threat occurs when individuals from stigmatized groups feel they are expected to conform to a negative stereotype associated with their group. Studies show that activating stereotype threat can impair performance on cognitive tasks in various marginalized groups. Individuals with problematic alcohol use are subject to stigmatized views related to cognitive abilities and socialization skills; thus, we examine for the first time whether eliciting stereotype threat impairs performance on a memory and a theory of mind task in undergraduate students with varying drinking patterns. We randomized 205 students to a neutral or a stereotype threat condition, which informed participants that the purpose of the study was to assess memory performance and theory of mind skills in relation to different patterns of alcohol consumption. In the stereotype threat group, individuals with problematic drinking patterns demonstrated significantly worse memory performance than nonproblematic drinkers and nondrinkers. The same was not true in the neutral condition, where memory recall did not differ significantly as a function of drinking status. Experimental group and drinking status failed to reveal significant effects on cognitive and affective theory of mind performance. Problematic alcohol use patterns were only associated with poorer memory when stereotype threat was elicited, which indicates that assessments of neurocognitive profiles may be biased, at least for memory performance, if stereotype threat is inadvertently elicited in substance users. Broader implications support the imperative to avoid stigmatization of problematic substance use in scientific communication and clinical settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Predictors of veteran attendance in an intimate partner violence intervention.

This study examined session attendance data from 2,754 veterans who participated in a national implementation of a trauma-informed intimate partner violence intervention, Strength at Home, across the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. Potential correlates of attendance were demographic characteristics, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, alcohol use, court involvement, current military involvement, and intervention modality (in-person vs. virtual). Given the trauma-informed nature of the intervention, it was expected that trauma-relevant risk factors, specifically PTSD symptom severity and racial minority status, would be less strongly associated with attendance than barriers related to other demographic variables and higher alcohol use, intervention modality, and court involvement. Results indicated that age, education level, employment status, retirement status, PTSD symptom severity, alcohol use, and court involvement were associated with session attendance in the expected direction at the bivariate level. Only education level, employment status, retirement status, alcohol use, and court involvement emerged as unique predictors of attendance such that more educated, employed, retired, and court-mandated veterans with less alcohol use attended more sessions. These findings suggest the importance of a trauma-informed, coordinated community response to intimate partner violence intervention and integration of motivational components surrounding problematic alcohol use to enhance compliance and mitigate barriers to attendance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychiatric comorbidities among patients hospitalized in the addictology department of Ar Razi hospital in Morocco

IntroductionComorbidity between psychiatric disorders and disorders linked to psychoactive substance use is common and represent a real public health problem.The association of a psychiatric disorder can, in certain cases, modify the treatment methods and also the evolution of the addictive behavior.ObjectivesDetermining the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with substance use disorder Identify the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized in the addictology department.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical aims, in order to study psychiatric comorbidities in 150 patients with substance use disorder hospitalized in the addictology department of Ar Razi hospital in Salé over a period from June 1, 2022 to August 30, 2023.Data collection was done using a questionnaire including clinical and socio-demographic characteristics, the prevalence of problematic use of psychoactive substances and the comorbidity of psychiatric disorders (diagnoses assessed by DSM 5 criteria).ResultsA male predominance was noted (80%). The main substances consumed in the last 12 months were tobacco (98%), cannabis (74%), alcohol and benzodiazepines.The majority of patients presented at least one psychiatric comorbidity (80%), with a predominance of depressive disorder and anxiety disorders.Personal history of suicide attempts was found in 30% of the sample Substance dependency that prompted initially the consultation was higher in patients with psychiatric comorbidity (p < 0.05)Post-traumatic stress disorder was significantly associated with the presence of problematic cocaine and alcohol use. Social phobia is associated with the absence of a criminal record.ConclusionsAddictive behaviors are often associated with psychiatric disorders. The most common psychiatric comorbidities are depression, anxiety and personality disorders, hence the need for simultaneous treatment of psychiatric pathologies and addictive behaviorDisclosure of InterestNone Declared

A pilot study of implementing an adapted model for integration of interventions for people with alcohol use disorders in Tanzanian primary healthcare facilities

BackgroundEnsuring that evidence-based interventions for people with alcohol use disorders (AUD) are acceptable, effective, and feasible in different socio-cultural and health system contexts is essential. We previously adapted a model of integration of AUD interventions for the Tanzanian primary healthcare system. This pilot study aimed to assess the impact on AUD detection and the acceptability and feasibility of the facility-based components of this model from the perspective of healthcare providers (HCPs).MethodsThis mixed-methods study comprised a pre-post quasi-experimental study and a qualitative study. The integrated model included training HCPs in managing AUD, introducing systematic screening for AUD, documentation of AUD service utilization, and supportive supervision. We collected information on the number of people identified for AUD three months before and after piloting the service model. A non-parametric trend test, a distribution-free cumulative sum test, was used to identify a change in the identification rate of AUD beyond that observed due to secular trends or, by chance, three months before and after implementing the integrated AUD facility-based interventions. The Mann-Kendal test was used to assess the statistical significance of the trend. We conducted three focus group discussions exploring the experience of HCPs and their perspectives on facilitators, barriers, and strategies to overcome them. The focus group discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsDuring the pre-implementation phase of the facility-based interventions of the adapted AUD model, HCPs assessed 322 people for AUD over three months, ranging from a minimum of 99 to a maximum of 122 per month. Of these, 77 were identified as having AUD. Moreover, HCPs screened 2058 people for AUD during implementation; a minimum of 528 to a maximum of 843 people were screened for AUD per month for the three months. Of these, 514 screened positive for AUD (AUDIT ≥ 8). However, this change in screening for AUD was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.06). HCPs reported that knowledge and skills from the training helped them identify and support people they would not usually consider having problematic alcohol use. Perceived barriers to implementation included insufficient health personnel compared to needs and inconvenient health management information systems. HCPs proposed strategies to overcome these factors and recommended multisectoral engagement beyond the health system.ConclusionsAlthough the change in the trend in the number of people screened for AUD by HCPs post-implementation was not statistically significant, it is still feasible to implement the facility-based components of the adapted integrated AUD model while addressing the identified bottlenecks and strategies for implementation. Therefore, a large-scale, adequately powered implementation feasibility study is needed. Findings from this study will be used to finalize the adapted model for integrating AUD interventions for future implementation and larger-scale evaluation.

Alcohol drinking, DNA methylation and psychiatric disorders: A multi-omics Mendelian randomization study to investigate causal pathways.

Whether alcohol-related DNA methylation has a causal effect on psychiatric disorders has not been investigated. Furthermore, a comprehensive investigation into the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms linking alcohol consumption and psychiatric disorders has been lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the causal effect of general alcohol intake and pathological drinking behaviors on psychiatric disorders, alcohol-associated DNA methylation on gene expression and psychiatric disorders, and gene expression on psychiatric disorders. Two-sample design Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Various sensitivity and validation analyses, including colocalization analysis, were conducted to test the robustness of the results. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data mainly from GWAS and Sequencing Consortium of Alcohol and Nicotine use (GSCAN), Genetics of DNA Methylation Consortium (GoDMC) and Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) with European ancestry. The GWAS summary data on general alcohol intake (drinks per week, n = 941 280), pathological drinking behaviors (including alcohol use disorder [AUD, n = 313 959] and problematic alcohol use [PAU, n = 435 563]) and psychiatric disorders (including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, n = 51 710-500 199) were included. Alcohol-related DNA methylation CpG sites (n = 9643) and mQTL data from blood (n = 27 750) and brain (n = 1160), BrainMeta v2 and GTEx V8 eQTL summary data (n = 73-2865) were also included. Genetic variants were selected as instrumental variables for exposures, including drinks per week, AUD, PAU, alcohol-related DNA methylation CpG sites (mQTL) and genes selected (eQTL). Pathological drinking behaviors were associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders after removing outliers or controlling for alcohol consumption. MR analysis identified 10 alcohol-related CpG sites with colocalization evidence that were causally associated with psychiatric disorders (P = 1.65 × 10-4-7.52 × 10-22). Furthermore, the expression of genes (RERE, PTK6, GATAD2B, COG8, PDF and GAS5) mapped to these CpG sites in the brain, led by the cortex, were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders (P = 1.19 × 10-2-3.51 × 10-7). Pathological drinking behavior and alcohol-related DNA methylation appear to have a causal effect on psychiatric disorders. The expression of genes regulated by the alcohol-related DNA methylation sites may underpin this association.

Sign-tracking to non-drug reward is related to severity of alcohol-use problems in a sample of individuals seeking treatment

BackgroundA prominent neuroscientific theory of drug addiction is the incentive sensitization model. Individual differences in the tendency to ascribe motivational salience to cues that predict reward, and involuntary “sign-tracking” (orientation towards) such cues have been identified as potentially important in understanding vulnerability to addiction and relapse. However, to date this behaviour has not been assessed in a treatment-seeking clinical population, who typically represent those most susceptible to alcohol-related harms and episodes of relapse. This highlights a significant gap in the literature pertaining to incentive sensitization and drug dependence. MethodsIndividuals accessing inpatient drug and alcohol services with alcohol as primary drug of concern were recruited to participate in a Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) intervention. At the baseline assessment, participants completed various self-report measures (including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test; AUDIT) in addition to a visual search task measuring sign-tracking to cues signalling monetary reward. At 3-month follow up, abstinence from alcohol was the primary outcome measure. All analyses and hypotheses were pre-registered. ResultsAt baseline (57 participants), AUDIT scores correlated with sign-tracking to signals of monetary reward. In a subsequent regression analysis sign-tracking, gender and self-reported alcohol craving predicted abstinence at 3-month follow up (41 participants). ConclusionsOur work demonstrates that involuntary sign-tracking to cues signalling non-drug reward is associated with problematic alcohol use and return to use at 3-month follow up, in a treatment-seeking sample. Whether this automatic prioritisation of cues signalling reward is a consequence or vulnerability for problematic alcohol use remains to be investigated.

A cross-sectional examination of race, gender, and intersectionality on protective behavioral strategies and alcohol outcomes among Black and White college students.

College students consistently report problematic alcohol use (e.g., excessive drinking). Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are behaviors for reducing alcohol use and/or problems and are negatively associated with alcohol misuse among college students. Studies suggest PBS are used more often and/or more effectively by female individuals. Additionally, examinations specifically between Black and White students have yielded mixed findings and are typically underpowered. Scant studies have investigated the intersectionality between race and gender or examined perceived effectiveness of PBS use related to alcohol outcomes. The current cross-sectional study examined if (a) race, (b) gender, and (c) their interaction moderate the associations between perceived effectiveness of PBS use on PBS use (a path) and between PBS use on alcohol outcomes (i.e., alcohol quantity, peak drinks, and problems; b path). A sample size of N = 528 college drinkers ages 18-24 years old (Mage = 19.85; 52.5%, Black, 40.3% White) completed an online survey and were used for analyses. A series of moderated mediation models were conducted. Race did not moderate the a or b paths. The positive association for the a path as well as the indirect effect of PBS perceived effectiveness on lower alcohol outcomes through PBS use were stronger for female students than male students. The intersectionality examination indicated a stronger association between more PBS use and lower consumption, specifically for White male students, and lower problems for Black female students. More attention is needed toward considering intersectionality when identifying at-risk groups and tailoring alcohol intervention efforts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Cash outs during in-play sports betting: Who, why, and what it reveals

Cashing out is a popular feature of modern ‘in-play’ sports betting that allows sports bettors to withdraw a bet before the sporting event on which the bet was placed is finalized. Previous studies have shown that use of the cash out feature is positively related to problem gambling symptomatology. However, little is known about demographic and psychological characteristics of in-play sports bettors who use the cash out feature, or their motivations for use. To fill this knowledge gap, we recruited 224 adults (18 + years) from Ontario who engaged in in-play sports betting in the past three months. Participants completed self-report measures of psychological and gambling-related variables. Participants also provided qualitative responses for their motivations for using the cash out feature. Approximately half (51.8 %) of the participants reported using the cash out feature. No statistically significant demographic differences were found between participants who used and did not use the cash out feature. Participants who used the feature (compared to those who did not) reported higher problematic alcohol and cannabis use, feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress, and were motivated to gamble to make money. The primary reasons for cashing out were to access money immediately, to cut losses, and because cashing out felt like a less risky option. The current findings shed light on underlying psychological vulnerabilities associated with individuals who use the cash out feature, which can inform initiatives to reduce the harms associated with this popular feature of sports betting.

Scoping review of assessment tools for, magnitudes of and factors associated with problem drinking in population-based studies

BackgroundThe term “problem drinking” includes a spectrum of alcohol problems ranging from excessive or heavy drinking to alcohol use disorder. Problem drinking is a leading risk factor for death and...

Prevalence and Determinants of Alcohol Use in Benue South Senatorial District, Nigeria

Introduction: Despite the huge public health problems of alcohol use, there is no community data in Benue South, Senatorial District. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol use and their determinants in Benue South Senatorial District.Materials and Method: 400 participants aged 18 to 60 years, who consented, were recruited consecutively in Okpokwu, Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas (LGAs). A 3-part questionnaire, including the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was administered to the participants.Results: The mean age was 29.12 years ± 10.5. The lifetime prevalence of alcohol use was 77.5% and the prevalence of current alcohol use was 47.5 %. The study found no determinant of alcohol use. There was no association between alcohol use and gender (p=0.163), age (p=0.043), educational level (p=0.934), community control of alcohol use (p=0.451) and ease of obtaining alcohol (p=0.920).Conclusion: Further research on alcohol use alongside routine screening and appropriate interventions in facilities is an important public health action.

Do Coping Self-Efficacy, Coping Flexibility, and Substance Use Coping Mediate the Connection from PTSD Symptoms to Problematic Alcohol Use Behaviors?

Do Coping Self-Efficacy, Coping Flexibility, and Substance Use Coping Mediate the Connection from PTSD Symptoms to Problematic Alcohol Use Behaviors?

Association between prolonged stress caused by COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes and quality of life, anxiety, depression, psychoactive substances, and problematic alcohol use in adult Croatian population.

The prolonged stress experience caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and two earthquakes led to increased alcohol and psychoactive substance use (PSU) accompanied by a decrease in mental wellbeing and quality of life (QoL) in the Croatian population. Our aim was to determine the relationship between alcohol and PSU and mental health outcomes including anxiety and depression, and QoL. A cross-sectional online survey conducted from September 30 to October 27, 2021, included 1,118 Croatian adults (220 men and 898 women; mean age, 35.1 ± 12.3 years) recruited through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The survey consisted of a self-reported questionnaire on PSU, the CAGE Alcohol Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL)-BREF. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the association between PSU, problematic alcohol use (PAU), mental health outcomes, and QoL. The model demonstrated a good fit and indicated that PSU increase, PAU, and anxiety and depression symptoms significantly explained all QoL domains (p < 0.001 for all). Both PSU increase and PAU during prolonged stress were directly associated with decreased QoL. These relationships were also indirectly mediated through increased anxiety and depression symptoms. These results showed the need to direct public health interventions and treatment interventions during and after long-term stress (pandemics and earthquakes) to reduce the negative impact on substance use and QoL by reducing depression and anxiety, which ultimately may contribute to better wellbeing and rapid recovery of individuals affected by prolonged stress.

Problematic alcohol use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Canada: the role of proximal stressors and anxiety

BackgroundGay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) report high rates of problematic alcohol use, anxiety, and depression. This may, in part, be due to stressors related to their sexual identity (i.e., minority stressors). However, few studies have examined both distal and proximal stressors, as well as the specific psychological mechanisms by which these stressors may be related to alcohol use outcomes, in a representative sample of GBM. We explored the relationship between distal and proximal stressors and alcohol use outcomes, as well as the role of anxiety and depression as potential mediators of these relationships.MethodsWe analyzed the baseline data of 2,449 GBM from Engage, a cohort study of sexually active GBM recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver from February 2017 to August 2019. Using structural equation modeling, we examined the associations between distal minority stressors (i.e., experiences of heterosexist harassment, rejection, and discrimination), proximal minority stressors (i.e., internalized homonegativity, concerns about acceptance, concealment, and lack of affirmation), anxiety and depression, and alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. RDS-adjusted analyses controlled for age, income, sexual orientation, ethnicity, recruitment city, and HIV serostatus.ResultsThere were positive direct associations between distal stress and proximal stress, anxiety, and depression, but not alcohol use outcomes. Proximal stress had a positive direct association with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use problems, but not alcohol consumption. Anxiety was positively associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. Depression was negatively associated with alcohol consumption but not alcohol use problems. Regarding indirect effects, distal stress was associated with alcohol use outcomes via proximal stress and anxiety, but not via depression.ConclusionsWe found support for a minority stress model as it relates to alcohol use outcomes among GBM. Findings suggest that proximal minority stress and anxiety differentially impact the problematic alcohol use among GBM who experience heterosexist discrimination. Clinical providers should consider incorporating the treatment of proximal minority stressors and anxiety into existing alcohol interventions for GBM.

FARESHARE: An open-source apparatus for assessing drinking microstructure in socially housed rats

Social factors have been shown to play a significant and lasting role in alcohol consumption. Studying the role of social context on alcohol drinking is important to understand the factors that contribute to the initiation or maintenance of casual and problematic alcohol use, as well as those that may be protective. A substantial body of preclinical research has shown that social environment such as housing conditions and social rank plays an important role in alcohol consumption and preference, though the extent of these effects have been obfuscated by methodological differences and technical challenges. Robust individual differences in alcohol intake in socially housed animals are difficult to track when animals share a common fluid source. Commercial solutions are prohibitively expensive and are limited by proprietary software and hardware (including caging systems). Here we describe FARESHARE, an affordable, open-source solution for tracking fluid consumption in socially housed rats. The device uses RFID and custom hardware to individually measure and record each rat’s fluid consumption and licking microstructure. Each bout is also timestamped such that the circadian effects of drinking behaviour may be analysed. We provide a validation showing the operation of the device in a two-bottle-choice alcohol-drinking paradigm over a nine-day period in four group-housed female rats. We show that FARESHARE is able to capture traditional measures such as daily intake and preference, as well as circadian effects, microstructure, and individual variations in drinking.

Cumulative Transitions in Emerging Adulthood: Portents of Adjustment Problems or a Window for Opportunities?

Cumulative transitions in diverse life domains during emerging adulthood appear to promote both problems and fulfillment. This study aimed to shed light on the coexistence of these contradictory observations by examining the associations between cumulative transitions in four life domains (education, work, romantic, and residential) and adjustment problems (depressive symptoms and problematic alcohol use) and well-being. Participants ( n = 255; 62 % women) were assessed annually between ages 18 to 25. Results of regression analyses partially confirmed both perspectives: cumulative transitions in the four life domains combined were curvilinearly associated with depressive symptoms (i.e., too few and too many transitions were associated with higher symptoms) and linearly and positively associated with well-being. Domain-specific effects were also observed. These results paint a more nuanced picture of how transitions are associated with adjustment in emerging adults, revealing how under- and over-exploration of the life domains predict individual adjustment.

Head injury and associated disability in adults undergoing pre-sentencing assessment by criminal justice social work

Although evidence indicates that head injury (HI) is prevalent in prisoners, little is known about HI in defendants during the Court process. This study assesses history of HI and persisting sequelae in defendants undergoing Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW) assessment for Court.A cross sectional, between subjects design was used. HI history was assessed using the Ohio State University TBI Identification-Method and disability with the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended in 46 adult defendants undergoing a CJSW assessment in Scotland. Assessments of mental health, cognitive function, effort on tests and dysexecutive behaviour were also carried out. Comparisons were made between defendants with and without significant HI.Significant HI (SHI) was found in 33/46 (72%) participants and 39% (13/33) of these had persisting disability. Those with SHI were more likely to have moderate-severe mental health difficulties, problematic alcohol or drug use and impairment on the Dysexecutive Questionnaire. Group differences were not found on cognitive tests or in offending history. No CJSW report identified HI.Disability, psychological distress, dysexecutive behaviour and potentially harmful substance use are more common in defendants with SHI. Training and a screening process for HI in CJSW assessments is needed to inform Court disposals and interventions.

Disentangling differing relationships between internalizing disorders and alcohol use.

Both internalizing disorders and alcohol use have dramatic, wide-spread implications for global health. Previous work has established common phenotypic comorbidity among these disorders, as well as shared genetic variation underlying them both. We used genomic structural equation modeling to investigate the shared genetics of internalizing, externalizing, and alcohol use traits, as well as to explore whether specific domains of internalizing symptoms mediate the contrasting relationships with problematic alcohol use compared to alcohol consumption. We also examined patterns of genetic correlations between similar traits within additional Finnish and East Asian ancestry groups. When the shared genetic influence of externalizing psychopathology was accounted for, the genetic effect of internalizing traits on alcohol use was reduced, suggesting the important role of common genetic factors underlying multiple psychiatric disorders and their genetic influences on comorbidity of internalizing and alcohol use traits. Individual internalizing domains had contrasting effects on frequency of alcohol consumption, which demonstrate the complex system of pleiotropy that exists, even within similar disorders, and can be missed when evaluating only relationships among formal diagnoses. Future work must consider the broad effects of shared psychopathology along with the fine-scale effects of heterogeneity within disorders to more fully understand the biology underlying complex traits.

Exercising healthy behaviors: A latent class analysis of positive coping during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with alcohol-related and mental health outcomes.

To identify latent classes of positive coping behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine associations with alcohol-related and mental health outcomes across participants with and without a history of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Baseline data from 463 participants who were enrolled in the NIAAA COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol (C19-PIA) Study were analyzed. Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to five positive coping behaviors during COVID-19: taking media breaks, taking care of their body, engaging in healthy behaviors, making time to relax, and connecting with others. Latent class differences and the moderating role of history of AUD on six alcohol-related and mental health outcomes were examined using multiple regression models. LCA revealed two latent classes: 83.4% High Positive Coping and 16.6% Low Positive Coping. Low Positive Coping was associated with higher levels of perceived stress, anxiety symptoms, and loneliness. A history of AUD was consistently associated with higher levels of alcohol-related and mental health outcomes. Significant interactions between Coping Latent Classes and history of AUD indicated that the associations of Low Positive Coping with problematic alcohol use, depressive symptoms, and drinking to cope motives were either stronger or only significant among individuals with a history of AUD. Individuals with a history of AUD may be particularly vulnerable to depressive symptoms and alcohol-related outcomes, especially when they do not utilize positive coping strategies. The promotion of positive coping strategies is a promising avenue to address alcohol-related and mental health problems during a public health crisis and warrants future research.

Attentional Biases and Their Association with Substance-Use-Related Problems and Addictive Behaviors: The Utility of a Gamified Value-Modulated Attentional Capture Task

BackgroundAttentional biases towards reward stimuli have been implicated in substance use-related problems. The value-modulated attentional capture (VMAC) task assesses such reward-related biases. The VMAC task widely used in lab studies tends to be monotonous and susceptible to low effort. We therefore tested a gamified online version of the VMAC that aimed to increase participant engagement. Our goal was to examine how VMAC is associated with substance use-related problems and addictive behaviors, and whether this association is moderated by cognitive control. MethodsWe recruited 285 participants from an online community, including heavy alcohol users. All participants completed a novel gamified version of the VMAC task, measures of substance use and addictive behaviors (addictive-like eating behavior, problematic smartphone use), the WebExec measure of problems with executive functions, and the Stroop Adaptive Deadline Task (SDL) as a measure of cognitive control. ResultsThe gamified VMAC task successfully identified value-modulated attentional capture effects towards high-reward stimuli. We found no significant associations between VMAC scores, problematic alcohol or cannabis use, addictive behaviors, or any moderation by a behavioral measure of cognitive control. Exploratory analyses revealed that self-reported cognitive problems were associated with more alcohol-, and cannabis-related problems, and addictive behaviors. Greater attentional capture (VMAC) was associated with more cannabis use-related problems among individuals with higher levels of self-reported cognitive problems. ConclusionsOur study is one of the first to demonstrate the utility of the gamified version of the VMAC task in capturing attentional reward biases. Self-reported problems with cognitive functions represent a key dimension associated with substance use-related problems and addictive behaviors.

Problematic Alcohol Use Trajectories in U.S. Military Veterans during a Public Health Crisis: Results from a 3-year, Nationally Representative, Longitudinal Study.

A growing number of studies have examined alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few longitudinal studies evaluated the prevalence and correlates of different trajectories of problematic alcohol use in vulnerable segments of the population, such as US veterans, over the 3-year course of the COVID-19 pandemic.Data were analyzed from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal study of 2,441 US veterans. Latent growth mixture modeling was used to identify the trajectories and correlates of problematic alcohol use.Four trajectories were identified: consistent (N = 170, weighted 7.2%), decreasing (N = 38, weighted 2.2%), increasing (N = 22, weighted 1.2%), and low (N = 2,211, weighted 89.4%) problematic alcohol use. Greater household income, pre-pandemic drug use disorder (DUD), lower social support, and COVID-19 infection to self or non-household members were associated with an increasing relative to decreasing problematic alcohol use trajectory. Greater household income, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), pre-pandemic DUD, lower social support, and greater COVID-related social restriction stress were associated with an increasing relative to a low problematic alcohol use trajectory. Younger age, male sex, ACEs, pre-pandemic DUD, lower pre-pandemic and greater decline in protective psychosocial characteristics, COVID-19 infection to non-household member, and lower COVID-related financial stress were associated with a consistent relative to a low problematic alcohol use trajectory. Overall, pre-pandemic greater income, DUD, and lower social support were associated with an increase in problematic alcohol use among US veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results may help inform prevention efforts to mitigate problematic alcohol use during prolonged crises in this population.