Archive for February, 2010
Alcohol Expectancies: How Age Impacts Consumption
Heavy alcohol consumption is usually associated with young adults. It’s easy to picture rowdy college kids on spring break or young bachelors kicking back to watch the big game with beers in hand. Scientists are starting to examine some of the specific associations of alcohol consumption and age.
New Data Revealed Regarding Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorders
New research finds that “the relative severity of the 11 DSM-IV alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria are represented by their severity threshold scores, an item response theory (IRT) model parameter inversely proportional to their prevalence. These scores can be used to create a continuous severity measure comprising the total number of criteria endorsed, each weighted by its relative severity.” The study, titled “A multidimensional assessment of the validity and utility of alcohol use disorder severity as determined by item response theory models,” is published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
The Cost of Alcohol Abuse in Leeds
Growing problems with alcohol abuse in Leeds are costing the city more than £275m a year. Members of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs the city’s hospitals, attended the council’s health scrutiny board meeting, and were told that anti-social behavior, crime, alcohol-related health problems, and a loss of productivity all contributed to the hefty bill.
Substance Abuse Treatment for the Uninsured Worker
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides much-needed information about substance abuse treatment and the role of health insurance in ensuring that those needing treatment are receiving it.
The primary source for healthcare coverage in the United States is employer-sponsored insurance for those under the age of 65. However, many low-wage jobs do not include healthcare coverage, or because of escalating premiums and deductibles, employees are opting out of employer-sponsored healthcare coverage.
To establish which persons are uninsured, employed, and in need of substance abuse treatment, the NSDUH asks a battery of questions relate
Study Examines Impact of Heavy Drinking on Elderly
The amount of alcohol consumed on a consistent basis can impact an individual’s reaction to it. According to a Science Daily release, a recent study of drinking among the elderly in Brazil has identified that heavy alcohol use is associated with more memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate alcohol use – especially among female drinkers.