Amount Of Alcohol Research Articles

Rethinking gender differences: An investigation of comorbid psychopathology and alcohol use disorder in veterans.

While men have been found to drink more alcohol and have higher rates of alcohol-related mortality, women tend to experience higher rates of alcohol-related consequences, including psychological comorbidities and worse alcohol use disorder (AUD) outcomes. However, gender differences in comorbid psychopathology and associations with AUD outcomes among veterans are less well understood. Veterans (N = 126; 32 women) receiving inpatient treatment for AUD completed baseline clinical measures including the Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Early Life Stress Questionnaire, and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Alcohol use was assessed with the Timeline Followback for the 90 days prior to the baseline assessment and again at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Gender differences in baseline alcohol and psychopathology measures were examined using Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test. Linear/logistic regression was used to examine associations between comorbid psychopathology and alcohol relapse/use severity post-study. Consistent with prior literature, statistically significant gender differences in psychopathology were observed, with women reporting higher anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p = 0.001), early life stress (p < 0.001), and PTSD (p < 0.001) at baseline. Higher early life stress was also associated with higher anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Statistically significant gender differences were not observed for alcohol use in the 90 days prior to the study. Similarly, gender was not associated with relapse or severity of use at 1-, 3-, or 6-month follow ups (ps > 0.05). Psychopathology measures were not associated with relapse or severity of use at any time point (ps > 0.05). Our study highlights that women veterans are drinking similar quantities of alcohol to men, supporting emerging evidence of a narrowing gender gap in alcohol use. Women also have a higher psychiatric burden than men; thus, identifying ways to mitigate comorbidity among women veterans should be a health priority.

Descriptive norms for simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use predict simultaneous use patterns assessed via daily surveys.

Simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use is common, but few studies have examined normative perceptions of simultaneous use. This study examined unique associations of baseline descriptive norms for simultaneous use (i.e., perceptions about others' simultaneous use) with simultaneous use behaviors assessed via daily surveys. Young adults reporting frequent simultaneous use (N = 150) completed baseline measures of descriptive norms for the frequency of simultaneous use and the amounts of cannabis and alcohol consumed during typical simultaneous use occasions. Further, participants completed measures of descriptive norms for the frequency and quantity of cannabis and alcohol use in general (not limited to simultaneous use). Norms were assessed referencing both peer and friend groups. Following this assessment, participants completed 21 daily smartphone surveys assessing cannabis and alcohol use each day. Simultaneous use was operationalized as same-day use of cannabis and alcohol. Multilevel models revealed that, controlling for descriptive norms for cannabis and alcohol use in general, perceiving more frequent simultaneous use among friends (but not peers) was significantly associated with a greater tendency to engage in simultaneous use relative to cannabis-only use across days. Further, perceiving heavier cannabis and alcohol consumption during simultaneous use occasions among friends (but not peers) was significantly associated with greater quantities of cannabis and alcohol consumed, respectively, across simultaneous use days. Descriptive norms for simultaneous use contribute uniquely to simultaneous use behavior, over and above norms for cannabis use and alcohol use in general. Findings may inform norms-based interventions for young adults who engage in simultaneous use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Trends and disparities in alcohol screening and brief counseling following the U.S. Affordable Care Act.

U.S. health reforms increased primary care access for underserved groups and provided support for alcohol screening and brief counseling (ASBC) in primary care. We examined temporal trends and changing disparities in ASBC from 2013 to 2019. A sample of adults ages 18-64 who had consumed alcohol and received primary care in the past year (N = 150,332) was drawn from the 2013-2019 U.S. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. ASBC outcomes included alcohol quantity screening, problem assessment, brief counseling, and provision of treatment information. We compared adjusted prevalence of ASBC across time by insurance type and by race and ethnicity for three alcohol severity groups (no heavy drinking (HD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD); HD without AUD; and AUD). Covariates included demographics, drinking pattern, health conditions, drug use disorder, and healthcare visits. Adjusted prevalence of ASBC outcomes (excepting quantity assessment) remained low across years. Prevalence of problem assessment was ≤ 10.1 % and brief counseling ≤ 4.0 % in the HD-only group; and 16.4-17.3 % and 14.9-15.6 %, respectively, in the AUD group. Significant increases by alcohol severity level were modest (<8.6 percentage points for quantity assessment; <2.0 points for other outcomes). White adults showed increases in all ASBC outcomes, followed by the privately-insured showing increased quantity and problem assessment. Insurance- and race-based disparities increased over time. White-Black disparities in quantity assessment increased nearly four-fold among individuals who drink heavily and almost three-fold among those who did not drink heavily. Evidence-based alcohol preventive care was increasingly inequitable. Interventions to increase ASBC generally and particularly for underserved groups are warranted.

Alcohol use and cannabis craving in daily life: Sex differences and associations among young adults.

Alcohol and cannabis are commonly used together by young adults. With frequent pairings, use of one substance may become a conditioned cue for use of a second, commonly co-used substance. Although this has been examined for alcohol and cannabis in laboratory conditions and with remote monitoring, no research has examined whether pharmacologically induced cross-substance craving occurs in naturalistic conditions. In a sample of 63 frequent cannabis-using young adults (54% female) who completed 2 weeks of ecological momentary assessment, we tested whether alcohol use was associated with stronger in-the-moment cannabis craving. We also examined whether sex moderated this association and whether cannabis craving was stronger at higher levels of alcohol consumption. Although alcohol use and cannabis craving were not significantly associated at the momentary level, there was evidence that this relation significantly differed by sex. Among female participants, there was a negative association between alcohol use since the last prompt and momentary cannabis craving (b = -0.33, SE = 0.14, p = 0.02), while the association among male participants was positive (b = 0.32, SE = 0.13, p = 0.01). Similarly, alcohol quantity was negatively associated with cannabis craving at the momentary level for female participants (b = -0.10, SE = 0.04, p = 0.009) but was not significantly associated for male participants (b = 0.05, SE = 0.04, p = 0.18). Alcohol may enhance cannabis craving among male individuals but reduce desire for cannabis among female individuals. This may point to differing functions of co-use by sex, highlighting a need for research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this increasingly common pattern of substance use.

Assessment of cationic amphiphile-biopolymer interactions: Effects of organic compounds and temperature on association phenomena

The present study reveals the micellization nature of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous solutions of sodium alginate (SA) with short-chain alcohols (containing 1–3 carbon number) and glycerol using the conductometric method at temperatures from 305.55 to 325.55 K with 5 K interval. The aggregation property has been characterized by assessing critical micelle concentration (CMC) from conductivity (κ) versus surfactant concentration plots. The micellar variables such as CMC and the extent of counterion binding (β) demonstrate the dependency on the variation in solvent categories, composition of the solvent mixture, and working temperatures. For the CTAB + SA (0.01 %, w/w) mixed system at 310.55 K, the increased CMC values were acquired with increasing quantity of alcohols and glycerol introduced. The CMC values showed a rising trend with the escalation of working temperature. The negative Gibbs free energy (ΔGm0) values were attained for the CTAB + SA system in all investigating solvents, which stated the spontaneous occurrence of aggregation of the employed system. In aqueous alcohols media, the enthalpy changes (∆Hmo) were attained as positive and negative at lower and elevated investigated temperatures respectively; while in aqueous glycerol environment, the ∆Hmo values were acquired to be all negative at inspected temperatures. The entropy changes (∆Smo) were realized to be positive for the investigated cases. The compensation temperature (Tc) values have been achieved to be in the series of 241.91 K to 318.75 K which showed a good analogy to the literature stated data for the micellization of amphiphiles. The attained knowledge from the present investigation might help in improving the formulations in industries including pharmaceuticals, foods, and cosmetics.

Alcohol consumption-none is better than alittle.

Alcohol is socially accepted and widely consumed as arecreational beverage. Furthermore, it is used as adisinfectant for medicinal purposes and as acultural asset it is also part of religious rituals. However, it is also an intoxicant and an addictive substance. The deleterious side of alcohol is reflected in the fact that around 3million people worldwide die every year as adirect or indirect result of alcohol consumption. For several decades, epidemiological studies suggested that drinking alcohol in moderate quantities was beneficial. This was referred to as the "French paradox," which described differences in mortality between France and Finland mainly, but also other countries, that were found in epidemiological studies. The difference in the levels of alcohol consumption was found to explain the differences in mortality in view of the otherwise similar risk factors. When alcoholic drinks per day were plotted against all-cause mortality this led to aJ-shaped curve. This finding represented awindow of benefit for moderate alcohol consumption. However, the recent publication by Zhao etal. in 2023 revisited the relationship between the quantity of alcohol consumed and mortality risk and led to aparadigm change, which has influenced not only the recommendations of Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health but also the recommendations and guidelines of major health organizations: "No alcohol is better than alittle." The J‑shaped curve as an explanation of the French paradox became alinear relationship between the amount of alcohol consumption and the increasing mortality from tumors and cardiovascular diseases. The renewed review of several control groups in previous epidemiological studies revealed arecruitment error due to the inclusion of abstinent ex-drinkers. Taking this bias into account, the alcohol-friendly view of small amounts of alcohol being cardioprotective had to be revised. The combined misuse of alcohol and other risk factors for carcinogenesis and heart diseases still needs further attention. The misuse of both alcohol and cocaine led to the conclusion that when the two risky substances are consumed together, it is even more detrimental than the mere sum of the two.

Exploring the dynamics of alcohol use, poverty and the role of social context in Athens, Greece

Abstract Background A body of research conducted across diverse national context, including the United Kingdom, Russia, Denmark and Norway, shows a robust link between poverty and increased alcohol related harm, even after accounting for different drinking patterns. This paper examines the unexplored relationship between poverty and alcohol use in Athens, Greece, focusing on alcohol’s impact related to the familial and social life of individuals and whether this system is affected by poverty. Methods This is a 2021 cross-sectional study, with 300 adult participants of mean age 45.8. We administered four questionnaires. The participants were equally distributed above and below the poverty threshold, sampled randomly. The latter were beneficiaries of social services. The data analysis established two scoring variables: the level of dysfunction from alcohol use and the level of strength of family ties. We computed their correlation and multiple linear regressions to assess their relationships. Results Individuals not residing in poverty exhibit a higher frequency of alcohol use (81.9%) than their counterparts (57.1%), however, those living in poverty tend to consume greater quantities of alcohol per occasion (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and reported elevated levels of dysfunction within familial and social interactions. Conclusions This study indicates that different consumption patterns are tied to diverse socioeconomic strata, with binge drinking behaviours specifically linked to financial hardship. Also, alcohol related dysfunction and family and social dynamics are affected by poverty. Our findings show that as dysfunction attributed to alcohol use increases, participants socialize less and report lower levels of well-being. In contrast those with balanced family ties and social encounters exhibit the opposite trend. This study warrants further exploration in cities in Southern Europe. Key messages • To mitigate alcohol use, policies empowering social and familial connections are of high importance. • Uncovering poverty as a factor for binge drinking can inform prevention strategies.

Drinking firsts at home and with parental knowledge: Racial/ethnic differences in associations with later alcohol outcomes among underage youth.

Prior research has shown that early alcohol experiences, such as age of initiation and speed of progression between drinking milestones, vary across racial/ethnic groups. To inform culturally tailored prevention efforts, this longitudinal study examined racial/ethnic differences in the associations of drinking firsts at home and with parental knowledge with alcohol use outcomes among underage youth. The study included baseline and five follow-up surveys, collected every 6 months, from California adolescents (ages 12-16 years at baseline). The analytic sample was composed of the 689 adolescents who reported lifetime alcohol use at baseline or a follow-up survey (5% Black, 37% Latinx, 46% White, and 12% other/mixed racial/ethnic group; 54% female). Participants who reported consumption of a full drink, intoxication, or heavy episodic drinking (HED) were asked ages and contexts of these drinking firsts, including whether the initiation was at their own home and whether their parents/guardians knew about this drinking event. Outcomes included past-6-month alcohol frequency, alcohol quantity, and number of alcohol-related problems. Multilevel negative binomial regression analyses were conducted, controlling for demographics and age of initiation by type of drinking behavior. Moderation analyses examined racial/ethnic differences. For consumption of the first full drink, both drinking at home and parental knowledge were negatively associated with all outcomes; associations did not vary by race/ethnicity. First intoxication at own home was negatively associated with the number of drinks for Latinx youth and with the number of problems for Black youth. For first HED, drinking at own home was positively associated with drinking frequency across groups, and for Black youth specifically, parental knowledge of their first HED experience was significantly associated with greater later alcohol frequency and quantity. Results suggest that the association of family contexts of drinking first with later alcohol outcomes among underage youth varied by stage of alcohol use and race/ethnicity.

The effectiveness of reduction in alcohol consumption achieved by the provision of non-alcoholic beverages associates with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is commonly used in clinical settings to assess the severity of alcohol-related problems, with the effectiveness of alcohol reduction interventions varying across this spectrum. In a recent study, we demonstrated that a 12-week intervention involving the provision of free non-alcoholic beverages reduced alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers for up to 8 weeks post-intervention. However, it remains unclear whether this effect was consistent across different AUDIT score ranges. Therefore, this secondary analysis aimed to examine whether the severity of alcohol-related problems, as indicated by AUDIT scores, influences the effectiveness of non-alcoholic beverage provision in reducing alcohol consumption.MethodsThis was a single-center, open-label, randomized, parallel-group study. Participants were Japanese individuals who frequently consumed large quantities of alcohol (at least 40 g/day for men and 20 g/day for women) but were not diagnosed with alcohol dependence. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group received free non-alcoholic beverages once every 4 weeks over a 12-week period (24 bottles of 350 mL per case, up to three cases per session, for a total of three sessions). Alcohol and non-alcoholic beverage consumption over the previous 4 weeks was tracked using a drinking diary. For this secondary analysis, participants were categorized into four groups based on their AUDIT scores (group 1: ≤ 7 points, group 2: 8–11 points, group 3: 12–14 points, and group 4: ≥ 15 points), and changes in alcohol consumption were compared across these groups in both the intervention and control participants.ResultsThe provision of non-alcoholic beverages significantly increased non-alcoholic beverage consumption in all groups. However, alcohol consumption was significantly reduced in the intervention groups compared to controls only in groups 1–3. The reduction in alcohol consumption was less pronounced in groups 3 and 4 compared to group 1 (both, p < 0.05). Importantly, the provision of non-alcoholic beverages did not lead to an increase in alcohol consumption, even among individuals with higher AUDIT scores.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that individuals with higher AUDIT scores may experience a reduced benefit from a 12-week non-alcoholic beverage intervention in terms of alcohol consumption reduction. Nevertheless, this intervention appears to be a safe and effective strategy for reducing alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers who do not have alcohol dependence.Trial registrationUMIN UMIN000047949. Registered 4 June 2022.

Representations of 'risky' drinking during pregnancy on Mumsnet: A discourse analysis.

Online forums provide an environment for peer discussions to anonymously share experiences about sensitive topics. In this article we explore discussions about alcohol use during pregnancy, including representations of 'appropriate' behaviour and risks, in relation to alcohol use. We sampled Mumsnet posts from 2016 to 2021 and analysed these using a two-staged approach: describing the content of original posts and employing discourse analysis on the entire thread which focused on unpacking the significance, activity and identity within the discourse. Seventy-three threads with 1554 replies analysed. Users engaged with different sources of evidence and mentioned guidelines and scientific sources, though most commonly provided, requested and appreciated anecdotal information. Risk was discussed in several ways but all users engaged with 'othering' drinking they perceived as risky. Only a few prescribed risks to any and all levels of drinking. There was a lack of knowledge around drinking while trying to conceive and early pregnancy. Expectations and norms of behaviour during pregnancy engaged in a 'good motherhood' discourse. Users positioned their drinking according to perceived norms through language choices; when not pregnant (or unknowingly pregnant) being 'plastered' was justified but when pregnant drinking only 'sips' or 'tiny' quantities of alcohol was considered appropriate. Forum users demonstrated a desire to adhere to 'responsible motherhood', which did not equate to abstinence if consumption was perceived as acceptable and justified. Future research should explore information needs and effective approaches to health communication for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy.

More Frequent Solitary Alcohol Consumption Is Associated With Poorer Diet Quality, Worse Sleep, Higher Body Mass Index, and More Problematic Alcohol Use.

Solitary drinking is a risky drinking pattern associated with increased substance use and psychosocial problems. However, very little is known regarding the associations between drinking alone and broader health status and behaviors. Accordingly, this study examined the relationship between health metrics and solitary drinking among individuals who currently drink (N = 99, 46.46% female, 88.89% White). U.S. participants between 21 and 40 years old were recruited. Measures included self-reported diet, physical activity, sleep, cannabis use, general and solitary alcohol use, and objective anthropomorphic measures (e.g., body mass index [BMI]) using data from both a baseline appointment and 30 days of daily diary responses. Adjusting for general alcohol use, age, and gender, associations at baseline were assessed through regression analyses, while daily data were analyzed via mixed effects models. Several health measures were associated with solitary drinking. Specifically, solitary drinking was related to consuming fewer servings of fruits and vegetables and greater quantities of alcohol based on daily data. Baseline data showed an association between solitary drinking and higher BMIs, poorer sleep quality, greater sugar consumption, and hazardous drinking. These findings suggest that beyond substance and psychosocial problems associated with solitary drinking, this drinking behavior may be a warning sign for health risks and, subsequently, broader health problems.

Liquor Rations and Labour Management in the Nineteenth-Century Atlantic World

Abstract A striking yet underexamined system of labour management circulated between land and sea in the nineteenth-century Atlantic world: the use of liquor rations to stimulate worker productivity. Turning to the British naval warship and the American slave plantation, this article depicts how labour supervisors in both settings relied on carefully regulated quantities of alcohol to extract more labour from their workforces. Even as Anglo-American temperance activists called for sobering up the working classes, many naval commanders and slaveholders held firm to the belief that managed intemperance was an essential tool for mobilizing workers. The study of liquor rations and the arguments endorsing their distribution helps to reveal how a spectrum of coercive labour practices swept through the Atlantic world amid the emergence of an industrial capitalist order. Zooming in on the history of these rations enables us to discern labour extraction strategies that operated between the poles of violent coercion and market-based exploitation, and that animated vital sectors of the Atlantic economy during the nineteenth century.

Cognitive deficits persisting in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome after detoxification

Background: Alcohol-related cognitive deficits (ARCDs) have received little clinical recognition due to doubts regarding the etiopathogenesis and lack of consensus in the diagnostic guidelines. Aim: The present study aimed at evaluating the pattern of cognitive deficits in patients of alcohol dependence without dementia, and assessing the relationship between these subtle cognitive deficits and alcohol use parameters. Materials and Methods: The study included randomly selected, consenting, non-delirious patients of alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) without dementia, admitted in the de-addiction ward. Cognition was assessed by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies at admission and after 7 days of detoxification. “T-test” was used to assess cognitive improvement and residual deficits, while correlation analysis was used to compare the relationship between alcohol use parameters and MMSE scores. Results: We recruited 63 male patients with mean age of 38.62 (±9.61) years. Significant improvement was noted in cognition post-detoxification. However, most of the subjects had subtle cognitive deficits which may fall within the realm of ARCD, mainly in domains of attention/concentration, recall, language, and visuo-constructional skills (P &lt; 0.05). The cognitive deficits correlated with duration and severity of alcohol dependence (P &lt; 0.05), however, were independent of daily alcohol quantity. Conclusion: Subtle cognitive deficits may persist in patients of ADS without dementia, even after successful detoxification. They may be easily missed despite contact with mental health professionals, as these deficits may only be evident on neuro-psychological testing.

A composite index of provincial alcohol control policy implementation capacity in Thailand

BackgroundThere is a well-published literature on the effectiveness and stringency of alcohol control policies, but not many studies focus on policy implementation, where policies transform into impact. The objective of this study is to create a composite index that measures the capacity for implementing effective alcohol control policies across all provinces in Thailand. MethodsBased on the international literature, we developed a list of key indicators for tracking the implementation of alcohol policies at the subnational level. To ensure these indicators were relevant to the Thai context, we obtained feedback from Thai experts. We collected primary data according to the developed indicators using questionnaires filled in by key informants at the implementing agencies and gathered secondary data at the provincial level. On this basis, we developed indices that reflect the status of alcohol control policy implementation. We then investigated the association between the indices and the prevalence and pattern of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms while adjusting for potential confounders using multiple linear regression and negative binomial regression, respectively. ResultsScores on the Provincial Alcohol Policy Implementation Capacity (PAPIC) Index ranged between 39 and 79. We found that each 1-point increase in PAPIC score was associated with a 1.98 % reduction in the quantity of alcohol consumed in grams per day (coefficient: −0.02; 95 %CI: −0.03, −0.00; p-value<0.05; e−0.02= 0.9802). We also found that for each 1-point increase in PAPIC score, the proportion of regular drinkers reduced by 0.30 per cent (coefficient: −0.30; 95 %CI: −0.55, −0.05; p-value<0.05). However, we did not find any association between the indices and alcohol-related harms. ConclusionThe level of implementation of alcohol control policy at the sub-national level is associated with alcohol consumption levels. The findings suggest the value of allocating resources to the implementation of alcohol control policy.

The Interaction between Education and Sex with Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Two Brazilian Cities.

This cross-sectional study, carried out between October and December 2020 in two Brazilian cities, aimed to evaluate the joint association of education and sex with habitual and episodic excessive alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Habitual alcohol consumption was defined as drinking any quantity of alcohol at least once per week. Excessive episodic alcohol consumption was defined as the consumption of five or more drinks by men or four or more drinks by women at least once in the last 30 days. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze associations of education and sex with alcohol consumption. Education was not associated with habitual alcohol consumption and excessive episodic alcohol consumption. However, when evaluating the joint effect between education and sex, it can be seen that men with low education were more likely to habitually consume (OR: 5.85; CI95:2.74-14.84) and abuse alcohol (OR: 4.45; IC95:1.54-12.82) and women with high education were more likely to have habitual (OR: 2.16; IC95:1.18-3.95) and abusive alcohol consumption (OR: 2.00; IC95:1.16-3.43). These findings highlight the modifying effect of sex on the relationship between education and alcohol consumption, such that education influenced alcohol consumption differently between sexes during the pandemic.

Photoelectrocatalytic Conversion of Nitrates to Ammonia: Effect of Proton Donor

AbstractChanges in farming techniques have facilitated the movement of nitrogen‐containing species, making converting nitrate into ammonia (fertilizer) highly desirable. Recently, we introduced a photosystem comprising NiO/Au plasmon/TiO2 that can selectively convert nitrate to ammonia at neutral pH and room temperature using visible light in a photo‐electrochemical approach. The study evaluated the role of adding alcohol to the overall process activity and selectivity. Adding small quantities of alcohol to the electrolyte leads to changes in the catalytic behaviour, which cannot be attributed exclusively to improvement in counter‐electrode reaction kinetics. Analysis of product Faradaic efficiency and photo‐current measurements revealed that alcohols act as proton donors in nitrate/nitrite reduction, possibly through a concerted proton‐couple electron transfer mechanism. These initial findings offer new handles for nitrate reduction to ammonia efficacy at neutral pH. Ultimately, this opens up avenues for agricultural practices that recycle nutrients, improve process circularity, and reduce fertilizer costs, thus contributing to economic sustainability.

Guidelines for an alcohol clinic in primary healthcare clinics

Background: In clinical practice, primary healthcare physicians commonly encounter patients with alcohol-related problems. This review article introduces the concept of an alcohol clinic for treating patients with these issues at primary healthcare clinics.Current Concepts: Alcohol-related problems often give rise to health problems, which prompts primary healthcare physicians to be required to develop screening, treatment, and counseling skills. Primary healthcare clinics should actively screen for alcohol-related problems. Screening involves questions regarding the frequency, quantity, and maximum consumption of alcohol to determine risk levels. For Koreans, moderate alcohol consumption is defined as ≤8 drinks per week (1 drink=14 g of alcohol) for men aged up to 65 years, and ≤4 drinks per week for men over 65 years; consumption for women is set at half of the amount defined for men. Individuals experiencing facial flushing after alcohol consumption are advised to limit their alcohol intake to half the amount consumed by those who do not experience flushing.Discussion and Conclusion: The focus for these patients should be on their environment, particularly when implementing a family-oriented approach. The decision to initiate drug treatment should be based on the symptoms of the patient, with follow-up evaluations performed at appropriate time points. The “FRAMES Motivational Enhancement Interview” and “Insight Enhancement Counseling” are recommended for an effective counseling of patients.

Where do high-risk drinking occasions occur more often? A cross-sectional, cross-country study.

The current paper examines the proportion of drinking occasions and total alcohol consumed that takes place at off-premise locations. Comparisons are made between high-income countries: Australia, New Zealand, England and Scotland, and across drinker-types: high-risk and lower-risk. Data were taken from the International Alcohol Control study in Australia (N = 1789), New Zealand (N = 1979), England (N = 2844) and Scotland (N = 1864). The cross-national survey measures location and beverage-specific alcohol consumption. The number of drinking occasions and mean consumption across on- and off-premise locations and the proportion of drinking occasions that high- and lower-risk drinkers had at on- and off-premise locations was estimated for each country. The majority of drinking occasions among high-risk drinkers occurred at off-premise locations across all four countries; Australia 80.1%, New Zealand 72.0%, England 61.7% and Scotland 60.7%. High-risk drinkers in Australia had significantly larger proportions of drinking occasions occurring at off-premise locations compared to England and Scotland. Across all countries, high-risk drinkers and lower-risk drinkers consumed significantly larger quantities of alcohol per occasion at off-premise locations compared to on-premises locations. Finally, the majority of total alcohol consumed occurred at off-premise locations across all countries for high- and lower-risk drinkers. As the accessibility to alcohol outside of licensed premises continues to increase, particularly with the expansion of home delivery services, it is important to be mindful of the high proportion of heavy drinking occasions that occur off-premise.

Interactive effects of alcohol and cannabis quantities in the prediction of same-day negative consequences among young adults.

Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use is common, but observational studies examining negative consequences of simultaneous use have rarely considered dose-related interactions between alcohol and cannabis. This study examined interactions between quantities of cannabis and alcohol consumed in predicting negative consequences on simultaneous use days. Young adults (N = 151; 64% female; 62% White) reporting recent simultaneous use and at least weekly alcohol and cannabis use completed 21 daily, smartphone-based surveys assessing previous day quantities of cannabis and alcohol used, types of cannabis used (flower, concentrates, edibles), and negative substance-related consequences. Multilevel models examined: (1) whether negative consequences differed within-person across simultaneous use days and single-substance use days; and (2) whether quantities of alcohol and cannabis consumed on simultaneous use days interacted, within-person, to predict negative consequences. We focused on quantities of cannabis flower (grams) in primary analyses and explored quantities of other forms of cannabis (concentrates, edibles) in supplementary analyses. Participants reported fewer negative consequences on alcohol-only (243 observations) and cannabis-only (713 observations) days than they did on simultaneous use days (429 observations). On simultaneous use days involving cannabis flower use (313 observations across 81 participants), the within-person association between number of standard drinks and negative consequences was weaker on days during which larger (vs. smaller) amounts of cannabis flower were consumed. Inspection of simple slopes revealed that decreased alcohol use was associated with less of a decline in negative consequences when combined with relatively greater amounts of cannabis flower. Although simultaneous use was associated with more negative consequences than alcohol-only and cannabis-only use, negative consequences on simultaneous use days varied as a function of the interaction between alcohol and cannabis quantities. As findings suggest that using larger amounts of cannabis may attenuate declines in negative consequences associated with lighter drinking, interventions for higher-risk simultaneous use patterns may benefit from a focus on quantities of both alcohol and cannabis.

Changing drinking patterns among Italians: 7 out of 10 students experience Binge Drinking

IntroductionThe expression Binge Drinking (BD) refers to dysregulated alcohol consumption, characterized by the intake of large quantities of alcohol, regardless of their nature, consecutively in a limited period of time. BD is a significant public health problem in many European countries, including Italy. According to data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, dated 2020, over 4 million Italians exhibit episodic excessive alcohol consumption (compared to 2019 data, there was an increase of approximately 5,3%).ObjectivesThis study aims to examine alcohol consumption habits in the Italian population, evaluating psychopathological correlations that can explain its diffusion.MethodsBetween January and May 2023, an anonymous online questionnaire was randomly sent to the general population. Alongside with tests to evaluate psycho-social features, to estimate the presence of alcohol abuse or dependence the AUDIT scale (Saunders et al. Addict Abingdon Engl. 1993; 88:791–804) was used. It included two specific questions to frame the phenomenon of BD (Cranford et al. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2006; 30:1896–905). No other study conducted in Italy has so far used the aforementioned validated questions.ResultsThe sample consists of 308 people (189 F, 119 M), with an average age of 32 years (sd 14). The AUDIT indicates a state of chronic alcohol consumption in 11,7% (95% confidence interval 8,5%-15,7%), of the recruited sample, positively correlating with the element of impulsivity (p&lt;0,005) confirming what has already been reported in literature. BD prevalence reaches 56% (M 57%, F 55%) without any significant correlation with impulsivity, personality disorders, emotional dysregulation, or sensitivity to rejection. Among university students the prevalence of BD exceeds 70% (95% confidence interval 60%-76%), with a number of drinks reported for a single occasion reaching up to 25 units and a reported number of binge episodes, in a two-week span, ranging from 2 to 10.ConclusionsDespite possible biases, this study raises the relevant issue of the extremely high prevalence of BD disorder, which is particularly alarming in light of the numerous issues related to the behavior itself. A direct correlation with reduced school performance, an increase in risky sexual behavior, and an increase in cases of drunk driving have been evaluated. Considering these consequences, it is of primary importance on a medical, but even more social level, to best characterize this phenomenon in such a way as to be able to implement awareness-raising and prevention interventions.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared