Inherited predisposition to alcoholism: characteristics of sons of male alcoholics

Article Abstract:

Although the abuse of alcohol has occurred for as long as alcohol has been available, factors that contribute to the onset of alcoholism are still largely unknown. However, some observations and estimations have been made regarding alcohol abuse. These include that: the incidence of alcohol abuse is about 5 to 10 percent in the general population; there are more male than female alcoholics; and the tendency to develop alcoholism runs in families. Sons of male alcoholics (SOMAs) are known to be at increased risk for alcohol abuse. Given these factors, a review of the literature pertaining to SOMAs was undertaken in order to detect underlying causes of alcohol abuse. The literature relevant to alcohol abuse was reviewed with five particular factors in mind: behavior, cognition, psychophysiology, biochemistry, and reaction to alcohol. Behavioral, cognitive and psychophysiological abnormalities were typically observed in SOMAs while they were not under the influence of alcohol. While intoxicated, these individuals also exhibited idiosyncratic reactions. SOMAS were frequently described as conduct disordered or hyperactive; poor concentration and focus of attention was noted. Although mild, a number of deficits have been observed in verbal and abstract cognition, as well as academic performance. These individuals also appear hypersensitive to the physical effects of alcohol, demonstrating significant reductions in pain and electrodermal reactivity after consuming alcohol. Self-reports of intoxication consistently fail to correlate with blood alcohol concentrations, with SOMAs feeling less intoxicated than normal individuals after drinking the same amount. In general, the studies that were reviewed, although diverse, show a fairly high degree of consistency in their findings on SOMAs. Additional research in this area is still needed; a number of approaches for this are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Reports, Behavior

---

Severity of psychosocial stress and outcome of alcoholism treatment

Article Abstract:

To evaluate relationships between stressful life events, chronic stress and alcoholic drinking relapse, 129 male inpatients aged 22 to 70 years (with an average age of 45.8 years) who had just completed an alcohol treatment program were studied. The men were predominantly Caucasian (85 percent) and single (66 percent). At the beginning of the program, they were each given a thorough diagnostic interview. Interviews of either a family member or close friend were also conducted to corroborate patient information. Three months after discharge from the program, patients were interviewed again. They were questioned about the occurrence of 133 life events related to factors such as work, health, family, deaths, relationships, crime, school and finances, which had occurred within the year preceding treatment and during the three months following their discharge. Of the 111 patients who completed the entire assessment, 76 remained sober. Thirty-five had resumed drinking during the three-month follow-up period. A comparison of stressful life-events between those who relapsed and those who didn't demonstrated that the relapsed group had experienced significantly more severe and acute stress prior to relapse. About 40 percent of the relapsed group also demonstrated significantly higher ratings of chronic, severe stressors during the year prior to treatment. While moderate stressors did not seem to affect relapse, results suggest that both acute and ongoing severe stressors are implicated in alcoholic relapse. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Stress (Psychology)

---

Characteristics of children of alcoholics: putative risk factors, substance abuse and psychopathology

Article Abstract:

Research has shown that children of alcoholics (COAs) are at increased risk of alcoholism. Adoption studies suggest that the risk is at least partly genetic. Traits associated with COAs tend to include hyperactivity, antisocial behaviors, and poor performance in school. Unexpectedly, it has been found that COAs drink less frequently than children who are not of alcoholic parents (nonCOAs), and nonCOAs are more frequently intoxicated than COAs. In the present study, data were collected from 253 COAs and 237 nonCOAs to compare alcohol and drug use, psychological problems, cognitive ability, and personality between the groups. All the subjects were college freshmen. They completed questionnaires and a variety of tasks designed to evaluate these areas. As expected, COAs had more alcohol and drug problems and more behavior problems than nonCOAs. COAs reported more psychiatric distress, and they had lower scores on measures of academic achievement than nonCOAs. Paternal alcoholism alone was not directly linked to children's problems with alcohol, but where children had certain alcohol expectancies (e.g., ''Drinking helps me relax.'') and exhibited behavioral problems, paternal alcoholism was related to COAs alcohol abuse. COAs were more likely to feel that alcohol would enhance their performance. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Surveys, Genetic aspects

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Cognitive and neuropsychological characteristics of physically aggressive boys. Cognitive function, cardiovascular reactivity, and behavior in boys at high risk for alcoholism
• Abstracts: Gender differences in the specificity of alcoholism transmission among the relatives of opioid addicts. Serum thyroxine levels in schizophrenic and affective disorder diagnostic subgroups
• Abstracts: A prospective comparison of four insanity defense standards. Diagnostic legitimacy of factitious disorder with psychological symptoms
• Abstracts: Screening for dysfunction in the children of outpatients at a psychopharmacology clinic. Adjunctive buspirone in benzodiazepine treatment of four patients with panic disorder
• Abstracts: Time-related predictors of suicide in major affective disorder. Gender differences in the clinical features of unipolar major depressive disorder

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.