Risk For Alcohol Dependence Research Articles

Alcohol misuse among university students before and during COVID-19: The role of mental health

Objective: Examine predictors of alcohol misuse among university students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: University students who completed the National College Health Assessment III before, during, and after the pandemic lockdown. Methods: Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined associations between psychological functioning, time spent with family and friends, and problematic alcohol use. Results: Alcohol use decreased, and psychological functioning was poorest one year after COVID-19-related university closures. While indicators of psychological functioning started to improve in the second year after the school closures, alcohol use started to increase. Overall stress, spending more time with friends, and fraternity/sorority residence significantly predicted moderate to high risk for alcohol dependence and binge drinking two years post-pandemic. Severe psychological distress (OR= 1.36, CI = 1.22, 1.52, p < 0.001) predicted moderate to high risk for alcohol dependence but not binge drinking. Conclusion: Innovative mental health interventions are needed to reduce alcohol misuse among university students.

Interoceptive sensibility and alcohol craving in Polish prisoners: the role of alexithymia and emotional dysregulation.

Alcohol craving, characterized by a strong desire or compulsion to consume alcohol, is a prominent symptom of substance dependence syndrome. Research indicates that alcohol craving is a significant factor leading to the termination of abstinence. The mechanisms underlying the activation of alcohol craving remain not fully understood. The urge to reach for alcohol may be stimulated by emotions, memories, thoughts, or bodily sensations, as well as external factors. It has been postulated that individuals with high levels of interoceptive sensibility tend to exhibit a high degree of alexithymia and emotion dysregulation in the context of alcohol craving. Deficits in identifying and verbalizing emotions, along with an operational thinking style, facilitate alcohol consumption by impeding accurate insight into one's mental state, thereby hindering the comprehension of bodily states, emotions, and the regulation of self. This study involved 160 inmates incarcerated in a prison in Poland, awaiting participation in therapy for individuals with substance dependence following psychiatric diagnosis. Four questionnaires were used in the study: multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Sensibility (MAIA) for interoceptive sensibility, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) for alexithymia, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) for emotional dysregulation, and the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) for alcohol craving assessment. The results of the study are as follows: the study findings indicated that alexithymia and emotional dysregulation significantly mediates the relationship between interoceptive sensibility and alcohol craving. The indirect effect for both factors was found to be significant, similar to the indirect effect observed for alexithymia as an mediator. However, in the case of emotional dysregulation, no significant indirect effect was observed. Our study provides insights into the potential contribution of interoceptive sensibility to the heightened risk of alcohol dependence. Specifically, impaired interoceptive sensibility may be associated with the development of alexithymia and emotional dysregulation, potentially rendering individuals more susceptible to alcohol craving. Interoceptive sensibility could serve as a prerequisite for the cultivation of positive emotional processing skills.

Personality, Social Factors, Brain Functioning, Familial Risk, and Trajectories of Alcohol Misuse in Adolescence

The development of an alcohol use disorder in adolescence is associated with increased risk of future alcohol dependence. The differential associations of risk factors with alcohol use over the course of 8 years are important for preventive measures. To determine the differential associations of risk-taking aspects of personality, social factors, brain functioning, and familial risk with hazardous alcohol use in adolescents over the course of 8 years. The IMAGEN multicenter longitudinal cohort study included adolescents recruited from European schools in Germany, the UK, France, and Ireland from January 2008 to January 2019. Eligible participants included those with available neuropsychological, self-report, imaging, and genetic data at baseline. Adolescents who were ineligible for magnetic resonance imaging or had serious medical conditions were excluded. Data analysis was conducted from July 2021 to September 2022. Personality testing, psychosocial factors, brain functioning, and familial risk of alcohol misuse. Hazardous alcohol use as measured with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores, a main planned outcome of the IMAGEN study. Alcohol misuse trajectories at ages 14, 16, 19, and 22 years were modeled using latent growth curve models. A total of 2240 adolescents (1110 female [49.6%] and 1130 male [50.4%]) were included in the study. There was a significant negative association of psychosocial resources (β = -0.29; SE = 0.03; P < .001) with the general risk of alcohol misuse as well as a significant positive association of the risk-taking aspects of personality with the intercept (β = 0.19; SE = 0.04; P < .001). Furthermore, there were significant positive associations of the social domain (β = 0.13; SE = 0.02; P < .001) and the personality domain (β = 0.07; SE = 0.02; P < .001) with trajectories of alcohol misuse development over time (slope). Family history of substance misuse was negatively associated with general risk of alcohol misuse (β = -0.04; SE = 0.02; P = .045) and its development over time (β = -0.03; SE = 0.01; P = .01). Brain functioning showed no significant association with intercept or slope of alcohol misuse in the model. The findings of this cohort study suggest known risk factors of adolescent drinking may contribute differentially to future alcohol misuse. This approach may inform more individualized preventive interventions.

Differences in mental health problems in LGBT+ first year college students in Chile during the pandemic

PurposeTo examine the differences in mental health problems by sexual orientation and gender identity in first-year university students in Chile during the pandemic. Methods: 7,213 first-year students aged 18 years and older from five universities participated as part of the World Mental Health - International College Student initiative in Chile. Students completed an online self-report survey between 2020 and 2021 that included measures of lifetime and 12-month major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, drug abuse/dependence, alcohol dependence, non-suicidal self-injuries, and suicidal risk. Prevalence of mental health problems were estimated and the differences by sexual orientation and gender identity were examined using logistic and multinomial logistic regression models. Results: Between 84.1% and 98% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBT+) students screened positive for at least one lifetime mental health problem and between 67.6% and 90.6% for two or more problems. For most outcomes, non-heterosexual (Odds Ratio [OR] between 1.25 and 7.00) and trans and gender nonconforming students (OR between 1.72 and 5.81) had significantly higher odds of positive screening for lifetime mental health problems than heterosexual and cisgender students, respectively. Similar results were observed for 12-month mental health problems. Conclusion: The results show differences in the prevalence of mental health problems in LGBT+ university students in Chile, which are consistent with those found in other countries. These results may be useful for planning interventions to improve the mental health of LGBT+ students.

Causal effect of physical activity and sedentary behavior on the risk of alcohol dependence: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundAlcohol dependence, influenced by physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior, lacks clear causal clarity. This study aims to clarify causal relationships by estimating these effects using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). MethodsA bidirectional multivariable two-sample MR framework was employed to assess the causal effects of PA and sedentary behavior on alcohol dependence. Summarized genetic association data were analyzed for four PA-related activity patterns—moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA), accelerometer-based physical activity with average acceleration (AccAve), and accelerometer-based physical activity with accelerations greater than 425 milli-gravities (Acc425)—and three sedentary behavior patterns—sedentary, TV watching, and computer use. The study was expanded to include the examination of the relationship between sedentary behavior or PA and general drinking behavior, quantified as drinks per week (DPW). We obtained summarized data on genetic associations with four PA related activity patterns (MVPA, VPA, AccAve and Acc425) and three sedentary behavior related behavior patterns (sedentary, TV watching and computer use). ResultsMR analysis found AccAve inversely associated with alcohol dependence risk (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.80–0.95; p < 0.001), MVPA positively associated (OR: 2.86; 95%CI: 1.45–5.66; p = 0.002). For sedentary behavior and alcohol dependence, only TV watching was positively associated with the risk of alcohol dependence (OR: 1.43; 95%CI: 1.09–1.88; p = 0.009). No causal links found for other physical or sedentary activities. Reverse analysis and sensitivity tests showed consistent findings without pleiotropy or heterogeneity. Multivariate MR analyses indicated that while MVPA, AccAve and TV watching are independently associated with alcohol dependence, DPW did not show a significant causal relationship. ConclusionsOur results suggest that AccAve is considered a protective factor against alcohol dependence, while MVPA and TV watching are considered risk factors for alcohol dependence. Conversely, alcohol dependence serves as a protective factor against TV watching. Only TV watching and alcohol dependence might mutually have a significant causal effect on each other.

Experiences of Alcohol Use and Harm among Travellers, Roma, and Gypsies: A Participatory Qualitative Study

Alcohol is widely used in many cultures as part of everyday life and for special occasions. It is a leading cause of preventable death in the UK, with higher rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged people. Gypsies and Travellers are ethnic and cultural minorities who experience extreme social disadvantage but there is a lack of knowledge about their alcohol use. The study aim was to explore experiences of alcohol use and harm in these distinct groups. Taking a participatory research approach, peer researchers conducted semistructured interviews (n = 26) to explore experiences of alcohol use and harm within the following four Gypsy/Traveller communities: Irish Travellers, Boaters, Gypsies, and Slovakian Roma. Vignettes were used as a basis for interview questions. Data were analysed thematically following the framework model. Alcohol consumption was found to be fundamental to celebration in all groups and integrated within social norms. Among Gypsies, Irish Travellers and Roma, drinking was associated with masculinity and despite an increase in alcohol use among women, female drinking remains highly socially regulated. Gypsies and Irish Travellers reported being illegally excluded from public drinking venues, while Slovakian Roma experienced less discrimination towards their ethnic group in the UK. Knowledge of the risks of alcohol dependence was high in all groups, but there was little awareness of the health impact of regular heavy drinking. Shame was a barrier to help-seeking for Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller men and women, while Boaters’ nomadism reduced access to both primary care and alcohol treatment services. These distinct ethnic and cultural groups are aware of the health and social risks of alcohol use but experience barriers to accessing healthcare. Each community has different needs in relation to prevention of alcohol dependence, highlighting the need for targeted health promotion to accompany national strategies to reduce alcohol harm.

The burden of anxiety, depression, and stress, along with the prevalence of symptoms of PTSD, and perceptions of the drivers of psychological harms, as perceived by doctors and nurses working in ICUs in Nepal during the COVID-19 pandemic; a mixed method evaluation.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant physical and psychological impacts for survivors, and for the healthcare professionals caring for patients. Nurses and doctors in critical care faced longer working hours, increased burden of patients, and limited resources, all in the context of personal social isolation and uncertainties regarding cross-infection. We evaluated the burden of anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and alcohol dependence among doctors and nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) in Nepal and explored the individual and social drivers for these impacts. We conducted a mixed-methods study in Nepal, using an online survey to assess psychological well-being and semi-structured interviews to explore perceptions as to the drivers of anxiety, stress, and depression. Participants were recruited from existing national critical care professional organisations in Nepal and using a snowball technique. The online survey comprised of validated assessment tools for anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, and alcohol dependence; all tools were analysed using published guidelines. Interviews were analysed using rapid appraisal techniques, and themes regarding the drivers for psychological distress were explored. 134 respondents (113 nurses, 21 doctors) completed the online survey. Twenty-eight (21%) participants experienced moderate to severe symptoms of depression; 67 (50%) experienced moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety; 114 (85%) had scores indicative of moderate to high levels of stress; 46 out of 100 reported symptoms of PTSD. Compared to doctors, nurses experienced more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, whereas doctors experienced higher levels of stress than nurses. Most (95%) participants had scores indicative of low risk of alcohol dependence. Twenty participants were followed up in interviews. Social stigmatism, physical and emotional safety, enforced role change and the absence of organisational support were perceived drivers for poor psychological well-being. Nurses and doctors working in ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic sustained psychological impacts, manifesting as stress, anxiety, and for some, symptoms of PTSD. Nurses were more vulnerable. Individual characteristics and professional inequalities in healthcare may be potential modifiable factors for policy makers seeking to mitigate risks for healthcare providers.

Alcohol consumption and dependence risk among male and female Veterans: Trajectories and predictors

BackgroundWith few exceptions, previously conducted research on hazardous drinking among Veterans has employed samples in which the majority of participants identify as male. In addition, past studies have solely focused on alcohol consumption, rather than associated risk for dependence. In this study, we expanded upon the extant literature by investigating sex differences in trajectories and predictors of change in alcohol consumption and dependence risk among post-9/11 Veterans. MethodsA national sample of 1649 Veterans (50.0% female) were recruited in a five-wave longitudinal study that followed Veterans for up to 16 years after deployment. We used growth curve modeling to investigate trajectories of change in alcohol consumption and dependence risk among men and women Veterans. We examined predictors of growth, including demographics, support and resources, psychiatric symptoms, and trauma exposure. ResultsAmong male Veterans, alcohol consumption and dependence risk remained stagnant, which is in contrast to past work using non-Veteran samples. For female Veterans, consumption exhibited initial reductions that decelerated, and dependence risk reduced at a continuous rate. PTSD diagnosis was a significant predictor of individual differences in growth for men. Psychiatric symptoms (i.e., PTSD diagnosis, probable depression diagnosis, suicidal ideation) and psychosocial functioning were significant predictors of decreasing alcohol use for women. ConclusionsResults highlight important sex differences in patterns and predictors of change in alcohol consumption and dependence risk among post-9/11 Veterans. Findings are discussed in relation to screening for hazardous alcohol use and intervention strategies in this at-risk population.

Drinking and mental health in middle adulthood: exploring the impact of wellbeing, mental health literacy, and drinking motives on risk of alcohol dependence

Objectives Risky drinking is a concern among UK-based middle-aged adults. We aimed to explore the relationship between risky drinking, drinking motives, wellbeing, and mental health literacy (MHL). Method Cross-sectional analysis of online survey data completed by 193 UK-based adults aged 40–65 who drank alcohol, incorporating the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R); Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS); Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and demographic questions. Results Coping, enhancement and conformity motives and gender significantly predicted higher AUDIT scores (measuring risky drinking). Enhancement motives were found to mediate the relationship between the self-help component of MHL and AUDIT scores, while coping motives mediated the association between wellbeing and AUDIT scores. Conclusion Findings support research emphasising the influence of drinking motives on risky drinking and highlights how low wellbeing may interact with coping motives to explain risky drinking among middle-aged adults, particularly men. Interventions supporting individuals to understand the relationship between drinking motives and risky drinking, develop adaptive coping strategies, and address the causes of low wellbeing, may be beneficial. However, as the sample was 84% ethnically White, 64% women, 85% educated to at least undergraduate level, and reported a relatively high mean socioeconomic status (6.98 out of 10), the results may not generalise beyond these groups. Future research should use stratified sampling to increase generalisability, as well as exploring whether alcohol-specific, component-specific, or disorder-specific MHL is associated with risky drinking and wellbeing.

Frequency of high risk behaviour in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: a cross sectional study

Background: Alcohol use and high-risk behaviour has been shown to have an association. Severity of alcohol dependence has an association with frequency of risk-taking behaviour. Objectives were to evaluate the frequency of high risk behaviour in alcohol dependence syndrome and to find any correlation between psychosocial variables and high risk behaviour. Methods: 100 individuals with ICD 10 diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome were studied using semi structured interview. High risk behaviour was assessed using violent risk appraisal guide and deliberate self-harm inventory. The age of onset of initiation of alcohol use and dependence and severity of alcohol dependence syndrome were assessed and analyzed by frequency and Chi square test. Results: In 100 subjects with alcohol dependence syndrome, 4 (17.4%) and 7 (30.4%) of subjects with severe dependence had road traffic accidents and risky sexual and violent behaviour respectively. There was a statistically significant association between age of onset, age of dependence and high-risk behaviour. Conclusions: The present study concluded that most individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome had high risk behaviour. Road traffic accident was the most common followed by risky sexual and violent behaviour. There was a significant association between severity of alcohol dependence and high risk behaviour.

Discrimination, gender dysphoria, drinking to cope, and alcohol harms in the UK trans and non-binary community.

Transgender (trans) and non-binary people may be at increased risk of alcohol harms, but little is known about motives for drinking in this community. This study explored the relationship between risk of alcohol dependence, experience of alcohol harms, drinking motives, dysphoria, and discrimination within a United Kingdom sample of trans and non-binary people with a lifetime history of alcohol use. A cross-sectional survey was co-produced with community stakeholders and administered to a purposive sample of trans and non-binary people from 1 February until 31 March 2022. A total of 462 respondents were included-159 identified as non-binary and/or genderqueer (identities outside the man/woman binary), 135 solely as women, 63 solely as men, 15 as another gender identity, 90 selected multiple identities. Higher levels of reported discrimination were associated with higher risk of dependence and more reported harms from drinking. Coping motives, enhancement motives, and drinking to manage dysphoria were associated with higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores. Social, coping, and enhancement motives alongside discrimination and drinking to have sex were associated with harms. The relationship between discrimination and risk of dependence was mediated by coping motives and drinking to manage dysphoria. Further to these associations, we suggest that reducing discrimination against trans and non-binary communities might reduce alcohol harms in this population. Interventions should target enhancement motives, coping motives and gender dysphoria. Social and enhancement functions of alcohol could be replaced by alcohol free supportive social spaces.

A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE AMONG ADULTS LIVING IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITY AREA OF SHANKARPUR, SAHASPUR, DEHRADUN

Aim: A study was done to assess the Prevalence of Alcohol Dependence among Adults Living in selected Rural Community Area of Shankarpur, Sahaspur, Dehradun. Design- Non experimental descriptive research design Materials and Method: The Conveniece sampling technique was utilized to select the sample. The sample size of the research study were 100 Adults . To assess the prevalence , standardized tool AUDIT was used . The data analyzed in term of the objectives of the study using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The result reveals that the most of the adults were having Low risk of Alcohol Dependence some of the study samples were having High Risk of Alcohol Dependence. While 5% of samples were at Possible Risk of Alcohol Dependence. The major findings represents the most of Alcohol Dependent Adults are in age group of 20-30 yrs greater members of Adults are Hindus (approx 71%) whereas 1% were Christian. The Highest number of Alcohol Dependent population lies under Increasing Risk that is 50%, whereas only 5% lies under possible Risk and rest 21% population lies under high risk and 24% under Lower Risk. The chi square values for socio demographic variables are Age(6.014), Religion(2.875), gender(14.260), Marital Status(14.256), Educational Qualification(33.590), Employment Status(14.616), Income(0.95), Family Type(8.22), Source Of Income(9.108), Health Status(0.76). The study depicts that only gender and Educational Qualification are the only sociodemographic variables that are significant. Also the study reveals that majority of alcohol dependent Adults are Males with 82% and rest 18% are females. Conclusion: The majority of alcohol dependent Adults are Males with 82% and rest 18% are females.

Prevalence, Reasons, Predictors, Perceived Effects, and Regulation of Alcohol Use among Children in Ghana.

Early initiation of alcohol consumption increases the risk of alcohol dependence and adverse health outcomes. Consequently, nations have enacted laws to make alcohol unlawful to be purchased by, sold to, or used in public by children. This study examined the lifetime prevalence of alcohol use among children and their reasons for consuming alcohol. In addition, the study investigated predictors of alcohol consumption and the effects of alcohol use on children. Finally, it examined the effectiveness of measures in place for regulating the sale and use of alcohol by children in the country. A total of 5024 children between the ages of 8 and 17 were sampled across the ten regions of Ghana using a cross-sectional convergent parallel mixed method. Children were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire, while focus group discussions were held with children, parents, and key informants. Lifetime prevalence of alcohol consumption was measured by "have you ever taken alcohol?". The study revealed that lifetime alcohol consumption was less prevalent (6.6%) among children. Sex, age, and region of residence were significant predictors of lifetime alcohol use among children. More than half of the children who reported ever taking alcohol were first introduced to drinking by friends, and more than six in ten children claimed having been intoxicated after drinking alcohol. The findings further revealed that efforts to control the sale and consumption of alcohol by children have proven difficult despite the existence of laws, policies, and national regulatory structures. While regulations on alcohol sales and consumption have been difficult to implement in rural areas, they have been successful in urban areas because institutions there ensure rigorous adherence to the regulations. The study encourages national organizations with responsibility for child protection and development to step up their regulation, investigation, and information-sharing efforts to discourage and limit children from purchasing and consuming alcohol.

Understanding the link between alcohol dependence and victimisation risk: Is risk explained by peers or alcohol behaviours?

AbstractBackgroundAlcohol dependence is a risk factor for experiencing victimisation, but little is known about how peer and behavioural mechanisms may explain this relationship.AimsTo test deviant peer association and/or heavy‐episodic drinking frequency as mediators between alcohol dependence and risk for being victimised.MethodsThe Pathways to Desistance data were analysed. Generalised structural equation modelling was used to determine whether either or both of the hypothesised pathways significantly mediated the relationship between alcohol dependence and victimisation.ResultsAlcohol dependence at recruitment (age 14–17) was associated with higher odds of being a victim of some form of violence in Wave 3 (age x–y). This relationship was significantly mediated by deviant peer association but not heavy‐episodic drinking frequency between Waves 2 and 3.ConclusionsThese findings add knowledge about the mechanism of a link between early alcohol dependence and later violent victimisation among young offenders. They suggest that more focus on reducing delinquent peer association, or reducing its impact, is crucial to reducing further harms to these young people, in turn possibly affecting continuing substance use and reoffending risks. Peer mentoring programmes help to provide prosocial modelling and reduce deviant peer ties in some circumstances, and these findings suggest that the next step should be their evaluation specifically among justice‐involved young people with alcohol dependence. Providing additional funding and/or opportunities for involvement in such mentoring programmes may help to reduce the public health and financial costs associated with alcohol dependence in the juvenile justice system.

Drunk driving: a secondary analysis of factors associated with driving under the influence of alcohol in Jamaica

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of alcohol use patterns, sociodemographic factors and risk of alcohol dependence among vehicle drivers in Jamaica.DesignA secondary data analysis.SettingThis study was conducted using the Jamaica National...

Genomic risk for post-traumatic stress disorder in families densely affected with alcohol use disorders

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic markers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in civilian and military populations. However, studies have yet to examine the genetics of PTSD while factoring in risk for alcohol dependence, which commonly co-occur. We examined genome-wide associations for DSM-IV PTSD among 4,978 trauma-exposed participants (31% with alcohol dependence, 50% female, 30% African ancestry) from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). We also examined associations of polygenic risk scores (PRS) derived from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC)-PTSD Freeze 2 (N = 3533) and Million Veterans Program GWAS of PTSD (N = 5200) with PTSD and substance dependence in COGA, and moderating effects of sex and alcohol dependence. 7.3% of COGA participants met criteria for PTSD, with higher rates in females (10.1%) and those with alcohol dependence (12.3%). No independent loci met genome-wide significance in the PTSD meta-analysis of European (EA) and African ancestry (AA) participants. The PGC-PTSD PRS was associated with increased risk for PTSD (B = 0.126, p < 0.001), alcohol dependence (B = 0.231, p < 0.001), and cocaine dependence (B = 0.086, p < 0.01) in EA individuals. A significant interaction was observed, such that EA individuals with alcohol dependence and higher polygenic risk for PTSD were more likely to have PTSD (B = 0.090, p < 0.01) than those without alcohol dependence. These results further support the importance of examining substance dependence, specifically alcohol dependence, and PTSD together when investigating genetic influence on these disorders.

The association of alcohol dependence and consumption during adolescence with depression in young adulthood, in England: a prospective cohort study

The role of alcohol use in the development of depression is unclear. We aimed to investigate whether alcohol dependence, but not high frequency or quantity of consumption, during adolescence increased the risk of depression in young adulthood. In this prospective cohort study, we included adolescents who were born to women recruited to the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children in Avon, UK, with delivery dates between April 1, 1991, and Dec 31, 1992. Alcohol dependence and consumption were measured at about age 16 years, 18 years, 19 years, 21 years, and 23 years using the self-reported Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and at about age 18 years, 21 years, and 23 years using items corresponding to DSM-IV symptoms. The primary outcome was depression at age 24 years, assessed using the Clinical Interview Schedule Revised. Analyses were probit regressions between growth factors for alcohol dependence and consumption and depression, before and after adjustments for confounders: sex, housing tenure, maternal education, maternal depressive symptoms, parents' alcohol use, conduct problems at age 4 years, being bullied from age 12-16 years, and frequency of smoking cigarettes or cannabis. Adolescents were included in analyses if they had data from at least one timepoint for alcohol use and confounders. We included 3902 adolescents (2264 [58·0%] female; 1638 [42·0%] male) in our analysis, and 3727 (96·7%) of 3853 participants with data on ethnicity were White. After adjustments, we found a positive association between alcohol dependence at 18 years of age (latent intercept) and depression at 24 years of age (probit coefficient 0·13 [95% CI 0·02 to 0·25]; p=0·019), but no association between rate of change (linear slope) and depression (0·10 [-0·82 to 1·01]; p=0·84). There was no evidence of an association between alcohol consumption and depression (latent intercept probit coefficient -0·01 [-0·06 to 0·03]; p=0·60; linear slope 0·01 [-0·40 to 0·42]; p=0·96) after adjustments. Psychosocial or behavioural interventions that reduce the risk of alcohol dependence during adolescence could contribute to preventing depression in young adulthood. UK Medical Research Council and Alcohol Research UK (grant number MR/L022206/1).

The irony of drinking to health and happiness

In testing the relationship between alcohol consumption in young people and depression in young adulthood, in The Lancet Psychiatry, Gemma Hammerton and colleagues 1 Hammerton G Lewis G Heron J Fernandes G Hickman M Lewis G The association of alcohol dependence and consumption during adolescence with depression in young adulthood, in England: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry. 2023; (published online June 1.)https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00138-4 Google Scholar address a very important question. Depression causes an enormous public health burden. WHO identifies depression as affecting more than 4% of the world's population and causing substantial disability. 2 WHODepression and other common mental disorders: global health estimates. World Health Organization, Geneva2017 Google Scholar Understanding how modifiable risk factors, such as alcohol consumption, influence the onset of depression in adulthood is therefore a crucial question for epidemiology to tackle. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is a highly appropriate data resource to use to address this question. ALSPAC is well placed in the UK's catalogue of large birth cohort studies, sitting between the 1970 British Cohort Study and the Millennium Cohort Study, uniquely assessing the development of children born in the 1990s. I was involved in a systematic review of available evidence on the adult outcomes of late adolescent alcohol consumption, 3 McCambridge J McAlaney J Rowe R Adult consequences of late adolescent alcohol consumption: a systematic review of cohort studies. PLoS Med. 2011; 8e1000413 Crossref PubMed Scopus (313) Google Scholar which concluded that the area needed more high-quality prospective cohort studies, and Hammerton and colleagues' work strongly contributes to this need. The association of alcohol dependence and consumption during adolescence with depression in young adulthood, in England: a prospective cohort studyPsychosocial or behavioural interventions that reduce the risk of alcohol dependence during adolescence could contribute to preventing depression in young adulthood. Full-Text PDF Open Access

Effect of PDYN and OPRK1 polymorphisms on the risk of alcohol use disorder and the intensity of depressive symptoms.

The dynorphin (DYN)/Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) system has been suggested to be involved in both negative affective states and the action of alcohol. The present study was undertaken to explore whether the DYN/KOR system genes, PDYN and OPRK1, influence on individual differences in the intensity of depressive symptoms at admission as well as the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) risk in a sample of 101 individuals with AUD and 100 controls. PDYN (rs2281285, rs2225749 and rs910080) and OPRK1 (rs6473797, rs963549 and rs997917) polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. The intensity of depressive and anxiety symptoms and craving were measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Penn Alcohol Craving Scale, respectively. A significant association between the risk of AUD and OPRK1 rs6473797 (P < 0.05) at the gene level. OPRK1 rs6473797 CC genotype was found to lead to a 3.11 times greater alcohol dependence risk. In addition, the BDI-II score of the OPRK1 rs963549 CC genotype was found to be significantly lower (20.9 ± 11.2, min: 1.0, max: 48.0) than that of the CT + TT genotypes (27.04 ± 12.7, min: 0.0, max: 49.0) (t: -2.332, P = 0.022). None of the PDYN polymorphisms were associated with BDI-II score. Variations in the KOR are associated with the risk of AUD and the intensity of depressive symptoms at admission at the gene level in Turkish males. On the other hand, PDYN gene seemed not to be associated with AUD, depression, anxiety, and craving.

Prevalence of alcohol dependence in Mongolia: a nationwide population-based, cross-sectional study

Alcohol-related problems are a major health issue in Mongolia and remain underdiagnosed. The nationwide population-based, cross-sectional study reported here was carried out between September and November 2013. It aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol dependence among the general population using two instruments: the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 based clinical interview. The AUDIT test, developed by the World Health Organization, was adopted to screen a full spectrum of alcohol-related disorders. Participants identified as at high risk of alcohol dependence were referred to a clinical interview for diagnosis of alcohol dependence. The interview was designed using ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. The study consisted of 11746 participants from 79 clusters, age 18–64 years (n=11746, males 49.1%, females 50.8%, mean age 39.6 ± 12.5 years). 45.4% of the participants (n=5336) abstained from alcohol use, 39% were at low risk of alcohol dependence (n=4582), 9.2% were at moderate risk (n=1075), and 6.4% were at high risk (n=753). Among the participants, a total of 522 participants (4.4%) were diagnosed as having alcohol dependence through the clinical interview. Increased risk of alcohol dependence was associated with those who were men, divorced or widowed, living in rural regions, unemployed, and less educated. The study results suggest that the prevalence of alcohol dependence is 4.4% among the general population of Mongolia. Gender, marital status, geographical location, and education significantly influence alcohol dependence.