On the interrelation between alcohol addiction–like behaviors in rats

Abstract Rationale Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex, heterogeneous disorder that only occurs in a minority of alcohol users. Various behavioral constructs, including excessive intake, habit formation, motivation for alcohol and resistance to punishment have been implicated in AUD, but their interrelatedness is unclear. Objective The aim of this study was therefore to explore the relation between these AUD-associated behavioral constructs in rats. We hypothesised that a subpopulation of animals could be identified that, based on these measures, display consistent AUD-like behavior. Methods Lister Hooded rats (n = 47) were characterised for alcohol consumption, habit formation, motivation for alcohol and quinine-adulterated alcohol consumption. The interrelation between these measures was evaluated through correlation and cluster analyses. In addition, addiction severity scores were computed using different combinations of the behavioral measures, to assess the consistency of the AUD-like subpopulation. Results We found that the data was uniformly distributed, as there was no significant tendency of the behavioral measures to cluster in the dataset. On the basis of multiple ranked addiction severity scores, five animals (~ 11%) were classified as displaying AUD-like behavior. The composition of the remaining subpopulation of animals with the highest addiction severity score (9 rats; ~ 19%) varied, depending on the combination of measures included. Conclusion Consistent AUD-like behavior was detected in a small proportion of alcohol drinking rats. Alcohol consumption, habit formation, motivation for alcohol and punishment resistance contribute in varying degrees to the AUD-like phenotype across the population. These findings emphasise the importance of considering the heterogeneity of AUD-like behavior.

Download Full-text

Correlates and Treatment Outcome of Risky Sexual Behaviour in Young Males with ADHD and Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder: A Prospective Study

Journal of Psychosexual Health ◽

10.1177/2631831818824437 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 62-69

Author(s):

Shankar Kumar ◽

Yamini Devendran ◽

Madhumitha N. S. ◽

Javagal Amith Thejas

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Risky Sexual Behavior ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Self Report ◽

Adult Males ◽

Young Males ◽

Severity Scores ◽

Inattention And Hyperactivity

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with risky sexual behavior (RSB). Alcohol use and high perceived stress in young adulthood contributes to this association. Previous studies have not found methylphenidate to reduce RSB in ADHD, as the population had comorbidities such as mood disorders and antisocial personality disorder. We aimed to study (a) the association of RSB with ADHD and severity of alcohol use among adolescents and young adult males with ADHD who had comorbid alcohol use disorder and (b) the effect of treatment of ADHD using methylphenidate on RSB in this population at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Methodology: The study had 31 participants who were selected by screening for RSBs using the sexual behavior section of the HIV Risk-taking Behavior Scale (HRBS) manual among a cohort of individuals with ADHD and early onset alcohol use. These individuals were also administered WHO ADHD self-report scale (ASRS), alcohol-use disorders identification test (AUDIT), perceived stress scale (PSS), and HRBS-sexual behavior section. They were then treated with methylphenidate and these assessments were repeated at 3 and 6 months. Results: Those having ADHD with RSB had higher total ADHD score ( P = .007) and inattention score ( p = .0001) than those without RSB. There was a significant correlation between the ADHD total score with alcohol-use severity ( r = 0.47), with RSB ( r = 0.34), and ADHD hyperactivity scores with alcohol-use severity ( r = 0.49) and with RSB ( r = 0.34). There was also a significant reduction of ADHD total, inattention and hyperactivity scores, alcohol-use severity scores, RSB and perceived stress scores with use of methylphenidate at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Multiple logistic regression predicted reduction in ADHD total scores to reduce RSB (odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, P = .01). Conclusion: RSB was associated with severity of ADHD and alcohol use. Methylphenidate not only reduced ADHD severity but also alcohol-use severity and RSB, whose reduction was predicted by reduction in ADHD severity.

Download Full-text

Nalmefene against alcohol use disorder: A report of one case

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1734 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s866-s866

Author(s):

M. Juncal Ruiz ◽

O. Porta Olivares ◽

L. Sánchez Blanco ◽

R. Landera Rodríguez ◽

M. Gómez Revuelta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Opioid Receptor ◽

Treatment Option ◽

Withdrawal Syndrome ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Alcohol Intake ◽

Family Relationship ◽

Heavy Drinking ◽

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

IntroductionAlcohol consumption represents a significant factor for mortality in the world: 6.3% in men and 1.1% in women. Alcohol use disorder is also very common: 5.4% in men and 1.5% in women. Despite its high frequency and the seriousness of this disorder, only 8% of all alcohol-dependents are ever treated. One potentially interesting treatment option is oriented toward reducing alcohol intake.AimsTo describe one case who has improved his alcohol consumption after starting treatment with nalmefene, an opioid receptor antagonist related to naltrexone.MethodsA 35-year-old male with alcohol use disorder since 2001 came to our consult in November 2015. He was in trouble with his family and he had a liver failure. We offer a new treatment option with nalmefene 18 mg to reduce alcohol consumption.ResultsBefore to start nalmefene he drank 21 drinks/week. Six-month later, he decreased alcohol intake until 5 drinks/week with better family relationship and liver function. After starting nalmefene he complained of nausea, so we recommend to take the middle of the pill for next 7 days. After this time he returned to take one pill with good tolerance and no more side effects or withdrawal syndrome.ConclusionsNalmefene appears to be effective and safe in reducing heavy drinking and in preventing alcohol withdrawal syndrome due to its opioid receptor antagonism. This case suggests nalmefene is a potential option to help patients, who do not want or cannot get the abstinence, in reducing their alcohol consumption.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Download Full-text

Towards the characterization and validation of alcohol use disorder subtypes: integrating consumption and symptom data

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291713000573 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 143-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

K. M. Jackson ◽

K. K. Bucholz ◽

P. K. Wood ◽

D. Steinley ◽

J. D. Grant ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Model Comparison ◽

Latent Class ◽

Common Factor ◽

Hybrid Approaches ◽

Epidemiologic Survey ◽

Alcohol Involvement ◽

Best Fitting

BackgroundThere is evidence that measures of alcohol consumption, dependence and abuse are valid indicators of qualitatively different subtypes of alcohol involvement yet also fall along a continuum. The present study attempts to resolve the extent to which variations in alcohol involvement reflect a difference in kindversusa difference in degree.MethodData were taken from the 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions. The sample (51% male; 72% white/non-Hispanic) included respondents reporting past 12-month drinking at both waves (wave 1:n = 33644; wave 2:n = 25186). We compared factor mixture models (FMMs), a hybrid of common factor analysis (FA) and latent class analysis (LCA), against FA and LCA models using past 12-month alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria and five indicators of alcohol consumption reflecting frequency and heaviness of drinking.ResultsModel comparison revealed that the best-fitting model at wave 1 was a one-factor four-class FMM, with classes primarily varying across dependence and consumption indices. The model was replicated using wave 2 data, and validated against AUD and dependence diagnoses. Class stability from waves 1 to 2 was moderate, with greatest agreement for the infrequent drinking class. Within-class associations in the underlying latent factor also revealed modest agreement over time.ConclusionsThere is evidence that alcohol involvement can be considered both categorical and continuous, with responses reduced to four patterns that quantitatively vary along a single dimension. Nosologists may consider hybrid approaches involving groups that vary in pattern of consumption and dependence symptomatology as well as variation of severity within group.

Download Full-text

Alcohol consumption and telomere length: observational and Mendelian randomization approaches

10.1101/2021.09.17.21263720 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anya Topiwala ◽

Bernd Taschler ◽

Klaus P Ebmeier ◽

Steve Smith ◽

Hang Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Telomere Length ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Mendelian Randomization ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Non Linear ◽

Alcoholic Drinks ◽

Potential Threshold

Alcohols impact on telomere length, a proposed marker of biological age, is unclear. We performed the largest observational study to date and compared findings with Mendelian randomization (MR) estimates. Two-sample MR used data from a recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of telomere length. Genetic variants were selected on the basis of associations with alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Non-linear MR employed UK Biobank individual data. MR analyses suggest a causal relationship between alcohol and telomere length: both genetically predicted alcohol traits were inversely associated with telomere length. 1 S.D. higher genetically-predicted log-transformed alcoholic drinks weekly had a -0.07 S.D. effect on telomere length (95% confidence interval [CI]:-0.14 to -0.01); genetically-predicted AUD -0.06 S.D. effect (CI:-0.10 to -0.02). Results were consistent across methods and independent from smoking. Non-linear analyses indicated a potential threshold relationship between alcohol and telomere length. Our findings have implications for potential aging-related disease prevention strategies.

Download Full-text

Consumption, habit formation, and savings: Evidence from a rural household panel survey

Review of Development Economics ◽

10.1111/rode.12536 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 256-274

Author(s):

Aditya R. Khanal ◽

Ashok K. Mishra ◽

S Nedumaran

Keyword(s):

Habit Formation ◽

Rural Household ◽

Panel Survey ◽

Consumption Habit

Download Full-text

Effects of Familial Alcohol Consumption on Alcohol Use Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress of University Students

Korean Journal of Family Practice ◽

10.21215/kjfp.2021.11.1.67 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 67-73

Author(s):

Keun-Young Ryu ◽

Kwan-Woo Park ◽

Min-Sun Kim ◽

Hea-Jin Lee ◽

song yi Paek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

University Students ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder

Download Full-text

Unhealthy Alcohol Use

10.2310/im.13106 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Stephen R Holt ◽

Joseph H. Donroe

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Genetic Factors ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Unhealthy Alcohol Use ◽

Unhealthy Alcohol ◽

Societal Norms ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Excessive Alcohol

Unhealthy alcohol use refers to a spectrum of alcohol consumption ranging from at-risk drinking to alcohol use disorder. It is associated with both a high cost to society and to individuals. Globally, alcohol is a leading cause of death and disability, and despite the high prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol use disorder remains disproportionately low. Risk for unhealthy alcohol use and alcohol related harms is multifactorial and includes genetic factors, gender, age, socioeconomic status, cultural and societal norms, and policies regulating alcohol consumption among others. Excessive alcohol use is associated with a myriad of poor physical and mental health outcomes, and screening for unhealthy alcohol use is universally recommended and effective. This review contains 1 figures, 2 tables, and 76 references. Key Words: addiction, alcohol, cancer, diagnosis, drinking, liver disease, screening, stigma, use disorderImportant Advances

Download Full-text

Make Mission Impossible Feasible: The Experience of a Multidisciplinary Team Providing Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder to Homeless Individuals

Alcohol and Alcoholism ◽

10.1093/alcalc/agaa052 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (5) ◽

pp. 547-553

Author(s):

Tommaso Dionisi ◽

Carolina Mosoni ◽

Giovanna Di Sario ◽

Claudia Tarli ◽

Mariangela Antonelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Clinical Evaluation ◽

Treatment Program ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Alcohol Intake ◽

Multidisciplinary Treatment ◽

Social Reintegration ◽

Multidisciplinary Treatment Program ◽

Glutamyl Transpeptidase

Abstract Aim People experiencing homelessness are often excluded from treatment programs for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The goal of this study was to describe the impact of a multidisciplinary treatment program on alcohol consumption and social reintegration in individuals with AUD experiencing homelessness. Methods Thirty-one individuals with AUD experiencing homelessness were admitted to an inpatient unit for 5–6 days for clinical evaluation and to treat potential alcohol withdrawal syndrome. A group of volunteers, in collaboration with the Community of Sant’Egidio, provided social support aimed to reintegrate patients. After inpatient discharge, all patients were followed as outpatients. Alcohol intake (number drinks/day), craving and clinical evaluation were assessed at each outpatient visit. Biological markers of alcohol use were evaluated at enrollment (T0), at 6 months (T1) and 12 months (T2). Results Compared with T0, patients at T1 showed a significant reduction in alcohol consumption [10 (3–24) vs 2 (0–10); P = 0.015] and in γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase [187 (78–365) vs 98 (74–254); P = 0.0021]. The reduction in alcohol intake was more pronounced in patients with any housing condition [10 (3–20) vs 1 (0–8); P = 0.008]. Similarly, compared with T0, patients at T2 showed significant reduction in alcohol consumption [10 (3–24) vs 0 (0–15); P = 0.001], more pronounced in patients with any housing condition [10 (3–20) vs 0 (0–2); P = 0.006]. Moreover, at T2 patients showed a significant reduction in γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase [187 (78–365) vs 97 (74–189); P = 0.002] and in mean cell volume [100.2 (95–103.6) vs 98.3 (95–102); P = 0.042]. Conclusion Patients experiencing homelessness may benefit from a multidisciplinary treatment program for AUD. Strategies able to facilitate and support their social reintegration and housing can improve treatment outcomes.

Download Full-text

Alcohol Use Disorder and Comorbid Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effectiveness of Supportive Text Messages in Aiding Recovery

Alcohol and Alcoholism ◽

10.1093/alcalc/agz060 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (5) ◽

pp. 551-558 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Helen O’Reilly ◽

Aisling Hagerty ◽

Seamus O’Donnell ◽

Aoife Farrell ◽

Dan Hartnett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Text Messages ◽

Comorbid Depression ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Lower Alcohol ◽

The Impact

This randomized controlled trial examined the impact of daily supportive text messages over a six-month treatment period on mood and alcohol consumption in individuals with a dual diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depression. Results highlighted mood benefits at 3-month and lower alcohol consumption at 6-month treatment points.

Download Full-text