Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “drinking”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,621 records · Page 90Linked to original sources

Test-retest reliability of the cognitive lifetime drinking history.

A new measure of lifetime alcohol consumption, the Cognitive Lifetime Drinking History (CLDH) uses beverage-specific questions on drink sizes and assesses drinking patterns to enhance recall. Two methods of establishing drinking intervals were examined: 1) floating--the respondent's report of when drinking changed, and 2) fixed--defined in terms of decades. Test-retest reliability for lifetime ounces of alcohol consumed and times intoxicated in lifetime estimated at visits 1 week or more apart was assessed in postmyocardial infarction patients (n = 81) and controls (n = 138) who had had at least 12 drinks in a year during their lifetimes. No significant differences in estimates of lifetime ounces of alcohol or times intoxicated were observed. Spearman's r ranged between 0.85 and 0.92 for the floating and fixed versions of the CLDH administered at a single visit and between 0.74 and 0.85 for the floating or fixed administered at both visits. Time between visits did not influence correlations. Intervals reported on the floating CLDH were comparable for postmyocardial infarction patients and controls. It took approximately 5 minutes longer to administer the floating CLDH than the fixed CLDH. Findings support use of the CLDH for case-control studies and suggest that the floating and fixed versions would yield comparable results.

Adult↗

Adult women's drinking in Israel: a review of the literature.

This article presents a review and critique of research on Israeli Jewish women's drinking. It has been prepared in an attempt to bring together the results of all Israeli studies dealing with Jewish women's drinking. It summarizes, on the basis of a review of all Israeli alcohol research in the professional literature in Hebrew and English, women's drinking practices over the last 42 years (May 1948-May 1990) with emphasis on the last decade. Three main areas of interest (alcohol-dependent women in treatment, drinking habits of women in special populations, and drinking habits and attitudes of women in the general population) have been elucidated by looking at three periods: the late 40s-60s, the 70s, and the 80s. The 60s and 70s are characterized by studies concerning pathological drinking patterns among women in clinical and treatment settings, and the 80s are characterized by research in the general population. The review concludes with a call for more investigation and topics for further study are discussed.

Adult↗

Patterns of drinking in Wales.

As part of a larger survey of health-related behaviours, 8441 Welsh men and women aged 18-64 years provided information relating to their overall consumption of alcohol, frequency of binge drinking (defined as consumption of at least half the recommended weekly limits, less than or equal to 21 units for men, less than or equal to 14 units for women) per occasion, and changes in consumption over time. Key findings indicate 29% of men and 9% of women report drinking in excess of the recommended safe limits, whilst 28% and 8% respectively report binge drinking at least once weekly. Such drinking is not, however, confined to heavy drinkers: 14% of men and 5% of women who drink within the recommended safe limits also report binge drinking at least once weekly. These and other results are discussed in relation to future health promotion initiatives.

Adolescent↗

Drinking water contaminants (arsenic, cadmium, lead, benzene, and trichloroethylene). 1. Interaction of contaminants with nutritional status on general performance and immune function in broiler chickens.

The objective of this study was to examine possible interactions between drinking water contaminants and suboptimal nutritional status for performance and immune function in male broiler chickens. Experimental drinking water contained a mixture of arsenic, benzene, cadmium, lead, and trichloroethylene (TCE) at low concentrations (0.80, 1.3, 5.0, 6.7, and 0.65 ppm) and high concentrations (8.6, 13, 50, 67, and 6.5 ppm). These chemicals were selected because they are among the most common contaminants found in ground water near hazardous waste sites. The experimental diets included feed containing 50% added vitamins and minerals (V&M) and feed without added V&M. Increasing levels of drinking water contaminants and decreasing levels of V&M in diet resulted in significantly (P < or = 0.05) decreased water and feed intake, decreased weight gain, and suppression of natural, humoral, and cell-mediated immune response. In a paired-water study, feed consumption, body weight, and immune function were decreased in chickens provided low and high concentrations of the chemical mixture in drinking water compared with chickens given control drinking water equal to the volumes consumed by the chickens given the low and high concentration of mixture, respectively. A deficiency of dietary V&M caused increased sensitivity to adverse effects of drinking water contaminants.

Animals↗

The social context of drinking, drug use, and unsafe sex in the Boston Young Men Study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation between drinking, drug use, and unprotected anal intercourse in young men who have sex with men. A cross-sectional analysis of first-visit data from a prospective cohort of 508 young gay men recruited from 1993 through 1994 from bars, college campuses, and the Fenway Community Health Center in Boston was performed. The major outcome measures were any unprotected anal intercourse, after drinking and when sober, stratified by type of sexual partner (steady or nonsteady) during the previous 6 months and during the most recent sexual encounter. The average age of the cohort was 23.3 years; 77.6% were white, and 76.4% were in college. These young men had a median of 10.5 male sexual partners in their lifetimes, and 3 sexual partners in the previous 6 months before enrollment. One hundred and thirty-four (26%) reported unprotected anal intercourse during the previous 6 months. Individuals who had unprotected anal intercourse were more likely to have a drinking problem (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-3.01) and drank more (20.4 ml/day versus 13.9 ml/day; p < or = 0.01), compared with individuals who did not engage in unprotected anal intercourse. Overall, men were significantly less likely to have unprotected anal intercourse after alcohol or drug use, based on a series of paired analysis (OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.15-0.48). However, when we stratified by type of sexual partner, men were significantly more likely to have unprotected anal intercourse with their nonsteady sexual partners after drinking than when sober (OR = 4.33; 95% CI = 1.37-13.7), but were significantly less likely to have unprotected anal intercourse with steady partners (OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.15-0.48). The patterns observed as already mentioned for drinking were also found for substance use in general. Men who were more likely to have unprotected anal intercourse after substance use were significantly more likely to have a drinking problem (OR = 7.65; 95% CI = 2.34-24.59). These results suggest that the role of alcohol and unsafe sex in young gay men is complex, with the role of situational factors of paramount importance. Alcohol and substance use interventions designed to reduce HIV risk need to specify the role of substance use in the sexual context to be successful.

Adult↗

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin levels reflect heavy drinking in alcohol-dependent women seeking treatment.

BACKGROUND: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is a biochemical marker that has been shown to be sensitive in detecting heavy drinking in men, but studies examining CDT in women have been inconsistent because of small sample sizes and failure to consider hormonal status. In healthy female subjects, CDT levels are significantly higher in premenopausal women with higher estradiol (E2) levels (>30 pg/ml) and those taking exogenous estrogens (oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy) compared with men and postmenopausal women. This study examined the relationship between drinking behavior and CDT levels in a large sample of alcohol-dependent women and contrasted findings in a comparison group of alcohol-dependent men. The study also examined the extent that E2 levels mediated the relationship between CDT levels and heavy drinking in the alcohol-dependent women. METHODS: This study examined the association between CDT level at treatment entry and alcohol consumption the month before initiating treatment in 96 women with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of alcohol dependence, as compared with similar data in 123 male alcoholics. To explore the relationship between E2 and CDT, E2 was measured in women at the time of CDT sampling. Linear regression was used to examine whether patterns of alcohol consumption in the 28 days before the CDT blood sampling predicted the CDT level in women and men presenting for treatment for alcohol dependence. RESULTS: CDT levels were higher in women than men and were related to quantitative alcohol consumption (total standard drinks, percentage of days drinking, percentage of days of heavy drinking) in the month before initiating treatment, irrespective of E2 levels in women. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in a larger sample of female alcoholics, the amount of alcohol consumed predicted CDT, similar to what has been reported in male alcoholics. The E2 status did not seem to mediate these results.

Adult↗

I. Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study of polyenylphosphatidylcholine in alcoholic liver disease: effects on drinking behavior by nurse/physician teams.

BACKGROUND: This multicenter prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of polyenylphosphatidylcholine against the progression of liver fibrosis toward cirrhosis in alcoholics. Seven hundred eighty-nine alcoholics with an average intake of 16 drinks per day were enrolled. To control excessive drinking, patients were referred to a standard 12-step-based alcoholism treatment program, but most patients refused to attend. Accordingly, study follow-up procedures incorporated the essential features of the brief-intervention approach. An overall substantial and sustained reduction in drinking was observed. Hepatic histological and other findings are described in a companion article. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive daily three tablets of either polyenylphosphatidylcholine or placebo. Monthly follow-up visits included an extensive session with a medical nurse along with brief visits with a study physician (hepatologist or gastroenterologist). A detailed physical examination occurred every 6 months. In addition, telephone consultations with the nurse were readily available. All patients had a liver biopsy before entry; a repeat biopsy was scheduled at 24 and 48 months. RESULTS: There was a striking decrease in average daily alcohol intake to approximately 2.5 drinks per day. This was sustained over the course of the trial, lasting from 2 to 6 years. The effect was similar both in early dropouts and long-term patients, i.e., those with a 24-month biopsy or beyond. CONCLUSIONS: In a treatment trial of alcoholic liver fibrosis, a striking reduction in alcohol consumption from 16 to 2.5 daily drinks was achieved with a brief-intervention approach, which consisted of a relative economy of therapeutic efforts that relied mainly on treatment sessions with a medical nurse accompanied by shorter reinforcing visits with a physician. This approach deserves generalization to address the heavy drinking problems commonly encountered in primary care and medical specialty practices.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Age at first drink relates to behavioral measures of impulsivity: the immediate and delayed memory tasks.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between laboratory-measured impulsivity and age at first drink. METHODS: Using a laboratory behavioral measure of impulsivity [Immediate (IMT) and Delayed Memory Tasks (DMT)], we compared two groups of women differing in their self-reported age at first drink (early-onset drinking, age <18 years, n = 40; late-onset drinking, age > or =21 years, n = 23). It was expected that those who first consumed alcohol before the legal drinking age (i.e., early onset) would perform in a more impulsive manner on the laboratory behavioral measure than the late-onset drinkers. RESULTS: The main finding was that the early-onset group (IMT: mean, 28.7%; DMT: mean, 30.4%) had increased commission error rates compared with the late-onset group (IMT: mean, 21.2%; DMT: mean, 15.5%) during both the IMT [ANOVA:F (1,61) = 4.30; p = 0.042; f = 0.27] and DMT [F (1,61) = 10.76; p = 0.002; f = 0.42]. Age at first drink was significantly correlated with DMT commission errors (r = -0.23; p = 0.037), although this was only at the trend level for IMT commission errors (r = -0.20; p = 0.062); these correlations are likely to be underestimates because of range restriction of the age variable. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that differences in impulsive behavioral responding are distinguishable even between groups of alcohol drinkers who are not experiencing clinically significant problems with alcohol.

Adult↗

Acoustic startle reactivity during acute alcohol withdrawal in rats that differ in genetic predisposition toward alcohol drinking: effect of stimulus characteristics.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported an association between greater alcohol withdrawal magnitude after a single alcohol exposure and a genetic predisposition toward low alcohol drinking in rats selectively bred for differences in alcohol intake when acoustic startle reactivity to a tone stimulus was used to index acute alcohol withdrawal. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the quality of the acoustic startle stimulus (noise versus tone) is important for detecting a genetic relationship between alcohol withdrawal magnitude and alcohol drinking behavior. METHODS: Alcohol-naive male rats selectively bred for high alcohol intake [alcohol-preferring (P), high-alcohol-drinking (HAD)1, and HAD2] or low alcohol intake [alcohol-nonpreferring (NP), low-alcohol-drinking (LAD)1, and LAD2] received a single intragastric infusion of water or alcohol (4.0 g/20.3 ml/kg; 25% v/v), and acoustic startle test sessions were given at 14, 16, 18, 20, and 24 hr after infusion. Each test session consisted of a 5-min acclimation period followed by random presentation of various white noise stimuli (90, 100, 110, and 120 dB.) RESULTS: Line differences in acoustic startle magnitude under control conditions were present in all three pairs of selectively bred lines; P rats showed a greater startle magnitude relative to NP rats, whereas both LAD lines showed a greater startle magnitude relative to both HAD lines. During alcohol withdrawal, the P, HAD1, and HAD2 lines showed enhanced startle magnitude compared with their water-treated controls. No change in startle magnitude during alcohol withdrawal was found in the NP, LAD1, or LAD2 lines. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to our prior findings, these results showed a genetic association between high alcohol drinking and a greater startle response magnitude to a noise stimulus during alcohol withdrawal. It seems that the genetic association between alcohol drinking and alcohol withdrawal, as assessed by the acoustic startle response, depends on the quality of the acoustic startle stimulus.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Trends in drinking among Americans age 18 and younger: 1975-2002.

BACKGROUND: Although changes over time in the prevalence of drinking by youth under 18 have been previously reported, we present results based on data from multiple surveys, using recently developed software for trend analyses. In this study, we applied joinpoint statistical methodology to three national data sets to analyze trends in drinking by youth, age 18 and under, for the period 1975 to 2002. METHODS: Information was obtained from three national data sets, Monitoring the Future for the years 1975 to 2002, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey for the years 1991 to 2001, and the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse for 1979, 1985, and 1991 to 2001. Approximately 80,000 persons between 12 and 18 were included in the most recent survey years. The alcohol consumption measures examined over time were any use of alcohol, consumption of five or more drinks on one occasion, and daily consumption. RESULTS: Alcohol consumption by 8th, 10th and 12th graders decreased substantially since the 1970s according to joinpoint trend analyses. It remains disturbingly high, however, according to data from three national surveys (e.g., 12.4% of 8 and 28.6% of 12th graders drinking five or more drinks in a row in the past 2 weeks), although prevalence rates have been relatively stable for the last 5 to 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Since the early 1990s, rates of drinking by youth under 18 remained relatively stable according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and moved up and then down according to Monitoring the Future, underscoring the need for continued surveillance and enhanced understanding of this long-standing problem.

Adolescent↗

Rapid intake of alcohol (binge drinking) inhibits platelet adhesion to fibrinogen under flow.

BACKGROUND: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased mortality from cardiovascular disease. Drinking large amounts in a short period (binge drinking) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. We tested whether rapid consumption of a large dose of alcohol affects platelet aggregation and adhesion. METHODS: Healthy volunteers (n = 20) were asked to drink three glasses of alcohol or red wine in a 45-min period. Thereafter, another 45 min was allowed for absorption of alcohol. Ninety minutes after the start of the experiment, blood was collected. This entire cycle was repeated once, resulting in consumption of six alcohol-containing drinks in 3 hr. Adenosine-diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation was measured and platelet adhesion to fibrinogen and collagen was measured in a perfusion chamber at shear rates of 300/sec and 1600/sec. Platelet coverage and aggregate size were measured. RESULTS: Acute alcohol intake significantly increased platelet aggregation in suspension when stimulated with low concentrations of ADP (0.1 and 0.5 microg/ml). This effect was not observed when consuming red wine. In contrast, adhesion to fibrinogen was significantly inhibited by alcohol but not red wine at high shear rate after six drinks (p = 0.025). The inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in aggregate size at 90 and 180 min after the start of the experiment. Adhesion to collagen was not altered by either alcohol or red wine. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid intake of alcohol increases platelet aggregation, which might contribute to the increased mortality associated with binge drinking. Red wine does not show increased platelet aggregation, which might support the reduction of cardiovascular disease in red wine consumers. However, alcohol inhibits platelet adhesion to fibrinogen-coated surface under flow. The diminished adhesion might contribute to the cardioprotective effects of alcohol.

Adult↗

Drinking, alcohol problems and the five-year recurrence and incidence of male to female and female to male partner violence.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the 5-year incidence and recurrence of male to female (MFPV) and female to male partner violence (FMPV) as well as their relationship with drinking and alcohol problems among intact couples in the United States. METHODS: A national sample of couples 18 years of age or older were interviewed in 1995 and again in 2000. RESULTS: Recurrence is slightly higher for FMPV (44%) than MFPV (39%), whereas incidence rates are similar for these two types of violence (MFPV, 5.7%; FMPV, 6%). Cross-tabulations show that a higher frequency of drinking five or more drinks on occasion is positively associated with the overall occurrence of MFPV and with both the recurrence and the overall occurrence of FMPV. Male alcohol problems are associated with a higher recurrence of MFPV and higher overall MFPV. Female alcohol problems are associated with incidence of FMPV. In multivariate analysis, black ethnicity, male unemployment, and severe physical abuse during childhood are associated with recurrence of MFPV. Black ethnicity, male unemployment, male employment status as "retired/other," female age, and couples in which the female drinks more are associated with recurrence of FMPV. Incidence of MFPV is associated with cohabitation, Hispanic ethnicity, and man's observation of violence between parents. Male unemployment, male observation of violence between parents, and man's drinking volume predict incidence of FMPV. CONCLUSIONS: Volume of drinking is the only alcohol indicator associated with intimate partner violence once the effects of other factors are controlled in multivariate analysis. Both MFPV and FMPV are areas of health disparity across whites, blacks, and Hispanics. Factors of risk that predict recurrence and incidence can be identified and used in prevention efforts.

Adolescent↗

Chronic ethanol drinking by alcohol-preferring rats increases the sensitivity of the posterior ventral tegmental area to the reinforcing effects of ethanol.

BACKGROUND: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is involved in regulating ethanol drinking, and the posterior VTA seems to be a neuroanatomical substrate that mediates the reinforcing effects of ethanol in ethanol-naive Wistar and ethanol-naive alcohol-preferring (P) rats. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic ethanol drinking increases the sensitivity of the posterior VTA to the reinforcing effects of ethanol. METHODS: Two groups of female P rats (one given water as its sole source of fluid and the other given 24-hr free-choice access to 15% ethanol and water for at least 8 weeks) were stereotaxically implanted with guide cannulae aimed at the posterior VTA. One week after surgery, rats were placed in standard two-lever (active and inactive) operant chambers and connected to the microinfusion system. Depression of the active lever produced the infusion of 100 nl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or ethanol. The ethanol-naive and chronic ethanol-drinking groups were assigned to subgroups to receive artificial CSF or 25, 50, 75, or 125 mg/dl of ethanol (n = 6-9/dose/group) to self-infuse (FR1 schedule) during the 4-hr sessions given every other day. RESULTS: Compared with the infusions of artificial CSF, the control group reliably (p < 0.05) self-infused 75 and 125 mg/dl of ethanol but not the lower concentrations. The ethanol-drinking group had significantly (p < 0.05) higher self-infusions of 50, 75, and 125 mg/dl of ethanol than artificial CSF during the four acquisition sessions; the number of infusions of all three doses was higher in the ethanol-drinking group than in the ethanol-naive group. Both groups decreased responding on the active lever when artificial CSF was substituted for ethanol, and both groups demonstrated robust reinstatement of responding on the active lever when ethanol was restored. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic ethanol drinking by P rats increased the sensitivity of the posterior VTA to the reinforcing effects of ethanol.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Baseline measures of fatty acid ethyl esters in hair of neonates born to abstaining or mild social drinking mothers.

Elevated levels of fatty acid ethyl esters have been documented in the meconium of neonates born to heavily drinking mothers. Recently, accumulation of FAEE has been documented in the hair of drinking adults. To be able to use this test in the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, one needs to establish baseline FAEE levels in infants born to nonalcoholic women because ethanol occurs in the baby naturally even without drinking. Scalp hair of 56 infants born to nonalcoholic women attending a well-baby clinic was obtained. Levels of FAEE were measured by GC-MS. FAEE were detected in almost all hair samples. Offspring of women admitting to mild, infrequent drinking did not differ in FAEE hair levels from infants of total abstainers. Baseline levels of FAEE in neonatal hair of nonalcoholic mothers have been established. Mild infrequent maternal drinking does not elevate these baseline levels. This may help avoid false-positive determinations when assessing infants born to problem drinking mothers.

Adult↗

How many alcoholic drinks might benefit an older person with hypertension?

Lowering alcohol intake reduces blood pressure and hence cardiovascular risk. However, abstainers have an increase in cardiovascular risk and the advice to reduce intake to low levels may not be sound. This review examines the effects of lowering alcohol consumption in terms of blood pressure and coronary heart disease (CHD). The relationship between both CHD and stroke and alcohol consumption, and the benefits and disadvantages of alcohol consumption in the general population, are discussed. Where available, the results of large meta-analyses are reported. It is concluded that the hypertensive patient over the age of 60 who drinks over 16 drinks per week should be advised to reduce his or her alcohol intake but a daily drink may be advisable and the patient should not stop drinking entirely. It is not suggested that the non-drinker should start drinking, but most hypertensives are over the age of 60 when community studies suggest that drinking alcohol does more good than harm.

Adult↗

The prevalence in various social groups of eight different drinking patterns, from abstaining to frequent drunkenness: analysis of 10 U.S. surveys combined.

Ten surveys of drinking in the U.S.A. were combined, producing a sample size of 12,603 cases. The present study uses only non-Hispanic Black and White races, bringing the total number down to 9891. Eight drinking categories were used, the heaviest being those who drank at least eight drinks at least three times a week. Classification by sex, age, race and socio-economic status produced 72 social subgroups. The distribution of drinking patterns varied a great deal in these subgroups; frequent light drinkers, for example, were 0% in one subgroup and 42% in another; abstainers were 0% in one group and, in another, 76%. The type of classification of 'heavier' drinkers so often used in surveys of small sample size, where the lower limit of amount of drinking is unrealistically low, may give a false impression of the distribution of drinking patterns. We found that the proportions of respondents falling into our categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 (corresponding to many definitions of 'heavier' drinkers) are not good predictors of frequent drunkenness, or of serious problems.

Adult↗

The role of family formation and dissolution in shaping drinking behaviour in early adulthood.

The role of family formation and dissolution was examined in relation to alcohol consumption in early adulthood, using longitudinal data from a large representative British sample (the 1958 cohort). In comparison with other potential influences upon drinking, including employment and financial circumstances, social position and psychological wellbeing, the family formation patterns of young adults were most strongly associated with their current drinking. Stability and change in drinking between adolescence and early adulthood were also examined. Results were generally consistent with stable partnerships and family formation exerting a moderating influence on drinking since marriage and parenthood were most prevalent among groups reducing consumption or maintaining the lighter drinking of their teens. Most importantly, partnership breakdown was associated with heavier drinking established at age 16 and increasing consumption between adolescence and early adulthood.

Adolescent↗

The experiencing of positive consequences of drinking in four Scandinavian countries.

Based on data from a comparative survey of drinking in four Scandinavian countries (Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), the experiencing of positive consequences of drinking was studied in relation to alcohol consumption, intoxication frequency and the experiencing of negative consequences of drinking. In all four countries a substantial portion--both of the men and of the women--reported having experienced various positive effects of drinking during the last 12 months. The positive consequences clearly correlated with yearly alcohol consumption and even more with intoxication frequency. A strong link between the experiencing of positive and negative consequences of drinking was also found. The study also indicates that there are national differences in the experiencing of positive consequences of drinking which do not reflect the national differences in total alcohol consumption.

Adult↗