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A national telephone survey on alcohol-related harms experienced by others consisted of 2,649 randomly selected adults and 415 (15 %) commented on the family member whose heavy drinking most negatively affected them. Relationships comprised close family (child, parent, sibling; 47 %), partner (22 %), extended family (e.g., aunt/uncle, cousin, grandparent; 19 %), and ex-partner (12 %). Common harms were being emotionally hurt and having a serious argument. An average of 3.4 harms was reported and multiple harms meant a higher likelihood of significant impact. Harms were classified into four domains which accounted for approximately 60 % of the explained variance: psychological (26.1 %), physical (11.4 %), social (10.9 %), and practical (9.6 %). Psychological and practical domains were associated with significant harm as were being female and sharing a home with the drinker. Perceived harms from a problematic drinking family member are broad ranging and have significant impact. Advice, information, and directions for family members dealing with a problematic drinker need development. Keywords Family * Alcohol * Harm * MCA, Families are under pressure when there is a member with an alcohol or other drug problem; 'the very life of the family itself as an entity and the home as [...]

Convicted DWI offenders (N = 549) were assessed for alcohol use disorders. Repeat offenders had twice the rate of both lifetime and current alcohol use disorders compared with 1st-time offenders. [...]

Current heavy drinkers were recruited and comparisons were made between those who were considering or not considering change from a general population random-digit dialing telephone survey. Respondents considering change had more severe alcohol problems and perceived more risk associated with their drinking as compared with those not considering change.

Objective: Mail and Web surveys are two possible alternatives for reducing potential nonresponse bias in telephone-based studies of alcohol consumption. Mail surveys have been a staple of epidemiological research, but there is a dearth of similar research on Web surveys. Most studies using Web surveys have been conducted among college students or other specialized populations where Internet penetration is relatively high. The present study examines differences in self-reports of alcohol consumption among adult members of the general public surveyed by mail, Web and telephone. Method: Web and mail versions of the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) instrument, traditionally a telephone-only survey, were developed and administered to address-matched households drawn from the random-digit dialed sampling frame used for the BRFSS. Comparisons were made with results from the ongoing telephone-based surveillance. Results: A total of 4,051 interviews (836 mail, 1,143 Web, and 2,072 telephone) were completed with adults ages 18 or older in four U.S. states. The findings indicate considerable variation in the estimates for heavy drinking (five or more drinks on an occasion during the past 30 days) obtained across these modes and population subgroups, particularly among the Web respondents. Conclusions: Mail surveys appear to be a viable alternative to more traditional telephone surveys, whereas use of Web surveys with the general public appears more problematic. Both approaches, however, may complement telephone studies when used in mixed-mode designs. Because alcohol consumption is associated with a number of diseases, caution is required when using different modes of data collection in epidemiological studies., ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION results in approximately 85,000 deaths each year and is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States (Mokdad et al., 2004). Heavy episodic drinking is [...]

Objective: This study investigated whether similar environmental contexts surround abstinent resolutions associated with different intervention experiences, including no assistance. Method: Participants were selected in a 3 x 2 design (25-30 per group, N = 167) according to their help-seeking experiences (no assistance, Alcoholics Anonymous [AA] only, treatment plus AA) and current drinking status (resolved abstinent [RA] for >2 years or nonresolved [NR] controls). Life events were assessed retrospectively over a 4-year period that spanned the 2 years before and 2 years after the initiation of stable abstinence by RA participants or over a matched interval for NR participants. Collateral or reliability interviews were conducted for 84% of the sample as checks on participant reports. Results: Across help-seeking groups, RA participants reported decreased negative events and increased positive events from the pre- through the post-resolution period. Interventions, especially treatment, enhanced the postresolution improvements in RA participants' life circumstances. This pattern was absent among NR participants. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a similar molar environmental context surrounds resolutions achieved with and without interventions and that interventions are associated with enhanced improvements during maintenance., FEWER THAN 25% of individuals with drinking problems utilize intervention services, but some untreated persons nevertheless resolve their problems (Tucker, 2001). Resolutions clearly can occur in the absence of interventions, [...]

Assessing confidence to resist drinking in high risk situations is an important part of behavioral treatments for alcohol problems. The present study assessed the reliability and validity of the original 100-item Situational Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ) and of an 8-item brief version (BSCQ). Using a visual analog scale, the BSCQ asked respondents to report their confidence to resist urges to drink heavily using the original eight SCQ subscales (e.g., pleasant times with others, social pressure). Data were collected from 120 adult problem drinkers who voluntarily entered an outpatient alcohol treatment program. The comparability of the BSCQ and the SCQ-100 was evaluated through intraclass correlations between the eight subscales and comparison of both instruments' underlying factor structures. Correlation coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.56 to 0.80. Both instruments showed similar, but not identical factor structures. The present results indicate that the BSCQ provides comparable information to the SCQ-100. Limitations, as well as the clinical advantages, of using the BSCQ over longer versions are discussed.

The presence of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is an important indicator of serious addiction to alcohol and serves as one of the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence according to the World [...]

Objective: Because of their low cost and ease of use, collaterals' reports are the most frequent source of independent corroboration with alcohol abusers' self-reports of drinking and related events. Although several reviews have shown that we can have confidence in the accuracy of alcohol abusers' reports of their dunking and in the use of collateral reports as an independent validity criterion, neither data source is error free. This study examined factors that influence the level of agreement between collaterals' and alcohol abusers' reports. Method: Using data from a study of natural recoveries from alcohol-related problems, this study examined how agreement between 120 alcohol abusers' (79.2% male) and their collaterals' reports varied as a function of collateral type and of the collaterals' ratings of their confidence in the accuracy of their reports of the subjects' clanking and related behaviors. Collaterals' awareness of nonalcohol-related levels was also examined. Results: The best agreement occurred for reports from alcohol abusers' spouses who were fairly confident about the information provided. For all variables, some proportion of collaterals respond to demand characteristics of the interview by providing very specific information about subjects' behavior yet admit to being unsure of this information. Conclusions: Collaterals who are fairly sure of the information they provide are the preferred informants to corroborate alcohol abusers' reports of drinking and related behaviors. In some cases the best collaterals are spouses who are fairly sure of the information they reported. It is also recommended that treatment outcome studies should accept reports only from collaterals who are confident about the information they report. (J. Stud Alcohol 58: 405-413, 1997), Spouses that feel confident in the assessments of their partners' drinking habits also appear to be more reliable. One hundred twenty alcoholics completed self-reports of their drinking habits. These reports were compared with assessments made by an independent partner. Overall, the alcoholics reported significantly worse behavior than the assessments made by their partners. However, assessments made by partners confident of their evaluations were significantly more accurate., When gathered under appropriate conditions, alcohol abusers' self-reports of drinking and related events are generally accurate for most research and clinical purposes (Babor et al., 1990; Brown et al., 1992; [...]

Objective: Long-term studies of the course of alcoholism suggest that a variety of factors other than professional treatment influence the process of recovery. This study evaluated the role of demographic factors, baseline alcohol-related problems and depression, professional treatment, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other social and community resources in predicting remission and psychosocial outcome over 8 years. Method: A sample of 628 previously untreated alcoholic individuals was recruited at detoxification units and alcoholism information and referral services. Of these participants, 395 (68.2%) were followed 3 and 8 years later. Most (83.3%) were white (n = 329) and 50.1% (n = 198) were men. At each contact point, participants completed a self-administered inventory that assessed their current problems, treatment utilization, AA participation and quality of relationships. Results: Number of inpatient treatment days received in the 3 years after baseline were not independently related to 8-year remission or psychosocial outcomes. More outpatient treatment in the first 3 years increased the likelihood of 8-year remission, but was not related to psychosocial outcomes. The number of AA meetings attended in the first 3 years predicted remission, lower depression, and higher quality relationships with friends and spouse/partner at 8 years. Extended family quality at baseline also predicted remission and higher quality friendships and family relationships at 8 years. Conclusions: Given that alcoholism is a chronic, context-dependent disorder, it is not surprising that short-term interventions have little long-term impact. Social and community resources that are readily available for long periods are more likely to have a lasting influence on the course of alcoholism. (J. Stud. Alcohol 58: 231-238, 1997), The quality of patients' family relationships, and the number of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings they attended during the first three years after recognizing their own alcoholism, predicted the likelihood of remission after eight years, according to a long-term study of 395 previously untreated alcoholics. Short-term treatments have little long-term effect on alcoholism, but social relationships and community services that are readily available can have a positive impact on recovering alcoholics. The amount of outpatient treatment sought during the first three years also predicted eight-year remission., Most studies of recovery from alcoholism are primarily intended to assess the effectiveness of treatment, as typically determined by outcome data gathered within a year or two of discharge. Although [...]

A one-month and three-month follow-up study of 53 alcohol-addicted men, who were assigned the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire and the Negative Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire when admitted into a residential alcohol treatment program, suggests that negative alcohol expectancy is vital in alcohol use and abuse. Abstinence and relapse after discharge are independent of demographic constraints and alcohol expectancies at 1 month, but are affected by the demographic constraints, age, total negative expectancy, global positive and continued-drinking negative expectancy at 3 months.

A comparison of the drinking patterns of 124 pregnant teenagers with 267 pregnant adults shows that adolescents indulge in more binge drinking during the first trimester than adult women. Although the use of cocaine and marijuana decreases during pregnancy for both the samples, smoking increases in teenagers. The binge drinking with its subsequent detrimental effects on the offspring, especially in the gas adolescents, highlights the need for educational programs.

Purpose: Medically ill alcoholics are frequently encountered in medical practice, yet little is known about this subgroup of alcoholics. Anecdotal evidence suggests that current treatment methods may be ineffective in some of these patients, and that many of them resist referral to treatment programs. In this pilot study, we sought to characterize this group, in order to determine whether further research was indicated. Basic Procedures: In the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 61 alcoholics from 3 groups of alcohol-dependent patients: medical inpatients who accepted transfer to treatment, medical inpatients who refused transfer, and ambulatory patients requesting treatment. The groups were compared on demographic, physical, psychological, and laboratory characteristics, and on compliance with medical appointments. Most Important Findings: As might be expected, inpatients were older and sicker than ambulatory patients, but also demonstrated fewer nonmedical complications of alcoholism. On psychological testing, those who transferred were more likely to exhibit anxiety and depression, while the ambulatory patients were more antisocial. Inpatients who transferred differed from those who refused in having fewer previous treatments and less severe medical illness and in showing more compliance with medical recommendations in general. Principal Conclusions: These findings raise the possibility that these groups may significantly differ from one another, and suggest that further research on the characteristics of medically ill alcoholics is indicated. Improved characterization could potentially lead to more effective treatment approaches.

Male and female alcoholics involved in an outpatient treatment directed at reducing drinking, which provided data on alcohol expectations and drinking behavior before and after treatment, and included an 18-month follow up. The results established a major link between reduction in alcohol expectancies, and lowered drinking. The 18-month follow-up revealed reductions in alcohol expectancies.

Interviews with 472 women between 18 to 45 years reveal that women with alcohol related problems have been victims of childhood sexual abuse or parent to child violence. Greater number of women undergoing treatment for alcohol related problems had experiences of childhood victimization than those undergoing treatment without alcohol related problems. Abuse in childhood decreases their esteem for themselves, and to mitigate that, they take refuge in alcohol. They think of themselves as being different from the general crowd and join friends who have similar problems. Indulging in heavy drinking is accepted in such groups and continuous use of alcohol makes them addicted to it.

A study of 96 male and 86 female social drinkers reveals the relation between alcohol consumption and responses to violent pornography. In both males and females, consumption of alcohol induces them to behave in a sexually aggressive way, as described in the pornographic story. Men high in hypermasculinity are prone to reacting in a more sexually aggressive way after consuming alcohol, as they feel that violent sexual advance is the only right way of behaving.

Over 40% of all US smokers have comorbid alcohol, drug, or mental disorders. Using data from the 2000-2001 Healthcare for Communities survey, we conducted multivariate logistic regressions to examine these individuals' sensitivity to cigarette prices. We found that a 10% increase in cigarette prices was associated with 18.2% less smoking participation among individuals with alcohol, drug, or mental disorders, except those with alcohol dependence. Increasing cigarette taxes could be effective in reducing smoking among individuals with alcohol, drug, or mental disorders. (Am J Public Health. 2010;100:1243-1245. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.159962)

Differences between problem drinkers in the general population and problem drinkers who seek treatment indicate that age, divorce, unemployment and disability help to bring about a high demand for treatment. In The Netherlands, data obtained from structured interviews with problem drinkers participating in out- and inpatient treatment programs were compared with data from 153 problem drinkers in a general population survey. The impact of age, marital status and other factors should persuade alcohol treatment personnel to address the problems in social life that make alcohol abuse more likely.

We studied 345 alcoholic inpatients utilizing a 43-item questionnaire designed to assess these patients' attitudes toward and experiences with disulfiram. A surprisingly high number of patients who had received disulfiram drank ethanol while taking or within 1 week of stopping disulfiram and experienced a disulfiram ethanol reaction. This finding and others derived from the questionnaire are reported, and the potential implications of the findings are discussed., Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a medication given to patients during the initial phase of recovery from alcoholism as a deterrent to drinking; if alcohol is ingested while taking it, an unpleasant physical reaction occurs. This reaction is known as the disulfiram ethanol reaction (DER). No comprehensive study has been done to investigate alcoholics' attitudes toward and experiences with disulfiram, and so a study was designed to obtain these data. Since alcoholics must choose to take the medication, their attitudes are important in assuring its effectiveness. Three hundred forty-five male patients in an inpatient alcoholism treatment facility participated by filling out an extensive questionnaire. Approximately half the subjects had taken disulfiram before. A large number of subjects (96) reported that they had consumed alcohol while on disulfiram or within one week of discontinuing the medication. Of these subjects, 74 experienced a DER. Symptoms included nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, fainting and difficulty breathing. Over one-third of the subjects who had a reaction said it was severe. But the previous experience of having a DER did not dissuade patients from agreeing to take it again. The results suggest that many patients will drink within one week of discontinuing the medication and will have a DER, which may be serious. A method of counteracting DER that patients could use on their own is needed, particularly because few subjects sought medical help during the reaction. A major reason for stopping disulfiram was the desire to drink, and counseling programs should prepare patients for the possibility that they may feel this urge and that it may lead to a relapse of drinking. Another reason for stopping the medication was that the patient thought he did not need it. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.), INTRODUCTION Disulfiram has been used extensively for the clinical management of alcoholism since its introduction for this purpose in 1948. The drug's pharmacology [1] and efficacy [2] have been studied [...]

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol consumption can have a variety of cutaneous manifestations. Awareness of the cutaneous changes of alcohol abuse can allow early detection and intervention in an attempt to limit [...]

Four-hundred-and-twenty-seven men and 607 women self-reported alcohol abuse symptoms by answering a questionnaire that was designed to examine the perception upheld by literature, that women are better reporters of familial psychiatric history. Gender differences relating to any of the family history comparisons including reports for mother, father, either parent, first- or second-degree relatives and male or female relatives, were absent.

A prospective natural history study is conducted of problem drinkers who are thinking about quitting or reducing their alcohol consumption. Two primary constructs, cognitive appraisals and life events are measured in a mailed-out baseline survey.

Objective: There is a growing appreciation that emotional, physical and sexual abuse events are frequently part of the life histories of individuals in treatment for alcohol disorders. The present study examines reports of lifetime abuse in a clinical trial for treatment of alcohol dependency. Method: Data were obtained from baseline assessments conducted with participants (N = 1,726; 1,307 men) entering Project MATCH, a multisite clinical trial conducted at nine geographically dispersed research sites. Differences on a broad range of participant characteristics were examined by gender and by reported abuse type. Results: More than half (59%) of the participants reported lifetime abuse. Women were more likely (77%) to report abuse than were men (54%). A lower proportion of men than women (6% vs 31%) reported experiencing both physical and sexual abuse. Gender differences were found on the majority of psychosocial measures. Comparisons of the psychosocial measures by abuse type generally indicated that participants without abuse histories had better functioning than did participants reporting abuse. Conclusions: The high frequency of lifetime abuse in this geographically dispersed sample underscores the necessity for including assessment of emotional, physical and sexual abuse with alcoholism treatment seeking populations. Participants reporting such events may require other treatment in addition to that for alcohol dependency. (J. Stud. Alcohol 62:114-123, 2001), EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEYS and clinical studies of substance abusers conclude that alcohol and drug dependent individuals frequently report experiencing some type of trauma, with estimates of lifetime physical or sexual abuse [...]

Forgive the sweeping generalisation, but the British do like a drink. Some are happy with a small sherry on Christmas morning, but many like nothing more than drinking to the [...]