Alcohol Abuse
Articles Related to Alcohol Abuse
- Sweet Cravings, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse: A Connection Emerges
Tobacco use, a tendency for alcoholism and having a strong sweet tooth – researchers now believe there may be a connection.
Tobacco has been a significant cause of death and serious health problems among women, especially in terms of certain cancers and diseases that occur more frequently than men. Compared to men that smoke, women may have faster-moving cases of lung cancer, heart disease and other cancers.
- Anterior Cingulate Cortex Activity May Indicate Risk for Alcohol Dependence
Previous research has found that activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is associated with risk factors for alcohol use disorders (such as low alcohol effects and positive alcohol expectations) among adolescents. This study used a spatial working-memory task to examine ACC activity among adults, finding that alcohol-dependent (AD) participants had a greater activation of the dorsal ACC (dACC) when compared to light and heavy social drinkers. Results will be published in the May 2010 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View.
- Alcohol Use Lower, Illegal Drug Use Higher Among African Americans
African Americans have lower drinking rates than other racial groups, according to a new survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The survey found that blacks ages 18 and older use alcohol at a rate of 44.3% compared with the national average of 55.2%
- Social Factors Can Predict and Sustain Alcohol Misuse among Older Drinkers
Social factors have consistently been implicated as a cause of vulnerability to alcohol use and abuse. The reverse is also true, in that individuals who engage in excessive drinking may alter their social context. New research on drinking among older adults has found that older adults who have more money, engage in more social activities, and whose friends approve more of drinking are more likely to engage in excessive or high-risk drinking. Science Daily reports that results will be published in the April 2010 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and are currently available at Early View.
- Short- and Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body and Mind
Recent national survey figures show that people in the UK are buying and consuming unhealthy amounts of alcohol. In fact, to even meet the Department of Health’s daily alcohol recommendations of no more than 3-4 units for men and 2-3 units for women, the country’s yearly purchasing of alcohol would have to be reduced by one-third.
- Russian President Demands Alcohol Restrictions
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev gave his officials three months to enact tough restrictions in an effort to curb alcohol abuse in the country. Last month, Medvedev described alcoholism as a “national disaster” that undermines public health and hampers the economy, urging the public to unite in fighting against it.
- University of Kansas Proposes Alcohol Initiatives to Curb Abuse
The University of Kansas has been recognized for its new proposals regarding alcohol; researchers familiar with reducing alcohol use on campus have said the proposals might be effective in curbing the University’s alcohol-related problems.
- Combination of Genes and Environment Impact Adolescent Drinking
A new study found that adolescent alcohol use and behavior problems are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, Science Daily reports.
- US Representative John Sullivan: A High-Functioning Alcoholic
When most people think of an alcoholic, they don’t think of a successful politician or highly paid doctor. Instead, they think of impoverished or homeless people or those who have hit “rock bottom.” But research shows that there are actually more alcoholics who function at high levels than stereotypical drunks.
- Increased Alcohol Use Leads to More Hospitalization for Men
Research from the United Kingdom found that the more alcohol men drink, the more time they spend in the hospital. The study began in the early 1970s and involved nearly 6,000 Scottish men ages 35 to 64.
