Substance use and symptomatology among adolescent children of alcoholics

Article Abstract:

Children of alcoholics (COAs) are at increased risk of alcoholism in adulthood, but relatively few well-designed studies have assessed the impact of parental alcoholism on adolescents. The present study evaluated the impact of paternal alcoholism on 246 adolescent COAs and 206 demographically matched nonCOA controls. In addition to the general impact that parental alcoholism had on these adolescents, the effects of the recency of parental alcoholism, co-occurring parental psychological problems, and co-occurring disruptions in the family environment (e.g., death of a family member, divorce) were considered. In the alcoholic sample, 74.6 percent of fathers and 58.5 percent of mothers reported that their drinking problems began by the age of 25 and only about one-third had received any type of treatment. Fathers were found to suffer co-occurring major depression in 5.5 percent of the cases and 16.4 percent of fathers had antisocial personality traits. Mothers suffered major depression in 12.1 percent of the cases and 15.5 percent of alcoholic mothers had antisocial personality traits. Compared with control families, the COA group had significantly lower parental education levels, higher parental drug use (other than alcohol), more environmental stress and family disruption, and more parental psychological problems. COAs were significantly more likely than nonCOAs to have alcohol problems in early adolescence. The correlation with parental alcoholism was moderate overall, but when recency of parental alcoholism was considered, recency was related to a stronger risk. Co-occurring parental psychological problems and co-occurring family disruptions also increased the risk of alcohol abuse among adolescents. Unlike the effects of mothers' alcoholism, which were mediated by other factors, the effects of fathers' alcoholism on adolescents was a specific risk factor in and of itself. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Demographic aspects, Children of alcoholics

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The skin-flushing response: autonomic, self-report, and conditioned responses to repeated administrations of alcohol in Asian men

Article Abstract:

Flushing of the skin on the face is a consequence of cardiovascular arousal. From 30 to 50 percent of Asian individuals flush in response to moderate doses of alcohol, and some studies indicate that alcoholics show less tendency towards flushing. Although the evidence is far from conclusive, there is evidence that flushing may represent a low risk factor. Although many high risk factors for alcoholism are known, few if any low risk factors have been conclusively demonstrated. Unfortunately, the large number of different factors which affect alcohol consumption make conclusions about the role of any one of them quite difficult. In order to clarify the various factors involved in alcohol-induced flushing, 21 Asian men were divided into those who flushed and those who did not; each was given alcohol three times and a non-alcoholic placebo once during a two-week period. Cardiovascular response was monitored, and mood effects were recorded on a scale of 11 mood variables. Although cardiovascular changes could be clearly quantified in the Oriental men who flushed, there was no evidence of mood differences between flushers and nonflushers, nor was there evidence of differential development of alcohol tolerance between the groups. Interestingly, the nonflusher group showed a conditioned response to the placebo which provided cues for alcohol without the pharmacologic effect. Nonflushers showed a finger-pulse response to placebo and a difference in the "boastful" category of the mood response scale. Though the curious placebo response is fascinating, the results shed no light on the reason for the reduced frequency of facial flushing found among Japanese alcoholics. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Alcohol, Ethanol

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Intoxication and exposure to stress: effects of temporal patterning

Article Abstract:

Previous studies have shown that intoxication with alcohol, prior to exposure to stress, reduces the effect of the stress. Conversely, studies have also shown that exposure to stress and subsequent alcohol intoxication increase the level of stress. This study was conducted to replicate and extend prior research supportive of these two observations. Subjects consisted of 40 males who were considered moderate or heavy drinkers. They were divided into four groups. Baseline heart rate measurements were performed before each trial. One group was given alcohol and another received a placebo prior to being exposed to stress. A 'stress-dampening-effect' of alcohol was noted, as measured by decreased heart rate. The other two groups were presented with a stressor before they were given either alcohol or a placebo; members of the placebo group were found to have lower heart rates than the alcohol group members. When all the groups were compared, a significant increase in heart rate was noted in the group who became intoxicated after the stress exposure. Self-reports of anxiety levels were obtained, but no differences were observed among the four groups. These results corroborate previous research on the effects of alcohol on stress. In addition, the influence of alcohol on information processing and attention are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Stress (Psychology)

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