Alcoholism

Studies show that men are twice as likely to develop alcoholism than women; however, the underlying biological factors contributing to this difference has been, for the most part, unclear. A new study published in Biological Psychiatry, points to dopamine being an important factor in this difference.

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the reward center of the brain that plays an important role in our ability to handle stress, be motivated, and create an overall sense of well-being. The use of drugs or alcohol raises the level of dopamine and confuses the brain into thinking that the action was positive and should be repeated.

Researchers from Columbia and Yale University studied alcohol consumption amongst male and female social drinkers. After consuming alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, each participant underwent a PET scan that measured the amount of alcohol-induced dopamine released.

Despite similar consumption of alcohol, the study found men to have greater amounts of dopamine released than the women. The increase was found in an area of the brain (ventral striatum) strongly associated with pleasure, reinforcement and addiction. Because of the increased release of dopamine, men had a stronger positive association with the effects of alcohol intoxication. This initial positive reinforcement may contribute to the risk for habit formation.

The study also found that episodes of repeated heavy drinking resulted in a decline in alcohol-induced dopamine release. This observation supports one of the hallmarks of developing tolerance or transitioning into a more chronic dependence on alcohol.

In a new study presented by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), a reported 33 million Americans binge drink, which includes 25% of high school students and people aged between 18 to 34. The CDC defines binge drinking as consuming at least five alcohol drinks for men and four for women over a short period of time (i.e., a couple of hours).

The Director of the CDC, Dr. Frieden, said that “excessive alcohol use remains the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States and leads to a wide range of health and social problems” (Medical News Today). One of the authors of the study said that “almost 1 in 3 adults and 2 in 3 high school students who drink alcohol also binge drink.”

79,000 deaths each year in the U.S. are causes by excessive drinking. It increases the risks of car accidents, STDs, falls, fights, and unplanned pregnancies. Not only does binge drinking often lead to engaging in high-risk behavior, it increases the risk for alcohol dependence. In addition, it can have medium and long-term health consequences such as: depression, fetal alcohol disorders, heart disease, liver disease, cancer, and stroke.

NIH Senior Health, USA has released a report specifically tailored to the topic of alcohol use among older adults (65+). The report explains the health risks involved  such as precautions for people who shouldn’t drink while taking certain prescription medications. The report also includes information on the increase risk of substance abuse and how rehabilitation help can be found for those who develop a problem.

The report revealed that some older adults whose drinking habits have remained consistent over the years, even decades, may find that they develop problems as they get older. This is due to the fact that aging lowers the body’s tolerance for alcohol. Because of this, Dr. Kenneth Warren, acting director of NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, says, “older adults may experience the effects of alcohol, such as slurred speech or lack of coordination, more quickly than when they were younger.”

This is because as the human body gets older its ability to metabolize or break down alcohol becomes slower. Thus it stays in the body longer than it does a younger human body. As a result, this increases an older adult’s sensitivity to the effects of alcohol. For example a senior male of the same weight as a younger male will have a higher percentage of alcohol in his blood after they both consume a glass of wine. One explanation for this, is that the amount of water in the body lowers as we age.

Because an older adult may be more sensitive to the effects of drinking, their risk for alcohol abuse also increases. Alcohol use can also become problematic for older adults if they are taking certain prescription medications or have certain existing health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension/high blood pressure, liver problems, etc, which alcohol use can exacerbate.