There is evidence to suggest that adolescents who receive alcohol from their parents are at higher risk of developing harmful drinking patterns later on in life.

Despite the concerning link, the knowledge around this subject remains unclear. 

A recent study in Australia has sought to gain a more reliable understanding of the issue through analysing longitudinal data.

The researchers collected information from 1906 school children recruited in the first year of secondary school. The researchers were particularly interested in asking the children whether their parents gave, or allowed them to...

Trauma, especially during childhood, can negatively impact the way our brains develop.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events experienced before reaching the age of 18, including but not limited to abuse or neglect in childhood and distressing family events such as witnessing domestic violence or a parent going to prison. 

Alcohol and other drugs can also impact on the way the brain develops, especially if someone has a history of trauma.

It is vital that services providing support for people with alcohol and other drug issues are mindful of the potential...

MANAGEMENT’S INFLUENCE ON ALCOHOL SCREENING AND BRIEF INTERVENTION

Key studies on management’s influence on the delivery and effectiveness of screening and brief intervention for risky drinking. ‘Bite’ commentary starts with UK guidance which insists managers “must” support this work, highlights the study which presaged a shift from universal to selective screening, and develops evidence-informed understanding of four important issues:
- Whether to insist on these procedures or let clinicians and patients decide their own priorities
- The degree to which management is the key to ensuring...

Nicotine, alcohol and marijuana are the most widely used substances among adolescents. These substances, however, can have serious negative consequences for brain development, making substance use among adolescents a major public health issue.

New research, published in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, looks at how practice nurses in primary care settings can address the issue of substance use among adolescents with evidence-based interventions.

Identifying and treating substance use in adolescence can reduce long term harm and risk of later life dependency.

The article describes the...

The term ‘baby boomer’ refers to those born during 1946-1964. In the UK, they account for around 25% of the population.

Studies have found that baby boomers indulge in more dangerous drinking behaviour than younger generations. For example, between 1992-2006, alcohol consumption among baby boomers (aged 45-64) increased by 85%, compared to 50% for over 65s and 24% for those aged 16-24.

Similar studies report increased alcohol-related deaths and a higher prevalence of alcohol-related hospital admittances among baby bombers. Their drug usage between 1993-2007 has also risen, and there is...

Healthcare and allied health professionals — including family physicians, nurses, addiction specialists, psychologists and social workers — use alcohol screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) to help individuals manage their alcohol consumption. The resources include links to evidence-informed guidance and tools.

Sections are divided into:

• Alcohol and Risk
• Screening 
• Brief Intervention
• Treatment

It is well recognised that substance use during pregnancy can harm the developing foetus, leading to potential cognitive dysfunction and mental and behavioural difficulties in later life.

Longitudinal studies, which track participants over an extended amount of time, allow researchers to examine specific factors that may influence the growth and development of an individual. 

Despite the frequent co-occurrence of prenatal alcohol exposure and instances of childhood maltreatment, there has been little research investigating the complicated relationship between the factors and potential long...

This mouse study describes the structural differences in brains of mice who are dependent on alcohol compared to those who are not. Rather than looking at function of specific sections of the brain, the study looked at the overall structure of the brain to understand differences in a new way.

The article is open access - full article available via the link

EFFECTIVENESS OF SCREENING AND BRIEF INTERVENTIONS

First instalment of a fortnightly course on the evidence for alcohol treatment and related topics. This instalment selects, explains and explores seminal and key research on the effectiveness of screening and brief interventions, intended to reduce harm across a population of heavy but not dependent drinkers. Highlights the SIPS studies, the most significant to date in the UK, and helps develop evidence-informed understandings of four key questions:

Do the SIPS results mean, ‘Just do the minimum’?
How ‘real world’ are supposedly real-world...