Researchers from the Center for Studies Of Addiction in the Treatment Research Center at The University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine studied 170 alcohol-dependent patients with major depressive disorders for 14 weeks. Two different drugs were used: Naltrexone, a drug used to treat alcohol dependence, and an antidepressant medication called sertraline. Everyone in the study received weekly cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of individual counseling effective in substance abuse treatment. However, one group took only Naltrexone; another group took only sertraline; one group took a combination of the two drugs; and finally, one group took no drugs at all, just placebos. The group that took the combination had a higher rate of alcohol abstinence (54%) compared to 21% in the Naltrexone-only group, 23% in the sertraline-only group, and 23% in the placebo group.

The authors of the study said that doctors treating addictions are often reluctant to use drug therapies, because they "do not want to treat drugs with drugs."

"Fortunately, this attitude is fading as scientists impart knowledge to professionals and the public about the possibilities of correcting the neurobiology of addiction by treating the addicted brain with certain medications," author Helen Pettinati wrote in her report published in the journal Psychiatric Times. "While these findings require replication, they provide a practical recommendation to integrate or combine two medications — one for treating alcohol dependence and one for treating depression. The combined pharmacotherapy, with some platform counseling that integrates support and advice for both disorders, can provide an aggressive approach to treating co-occurring depression and alcohol dependence."

Statistics compiled on 43,093 adults in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions found that 20% of those with major depressive disorders also had alcohol dependent disorders. Depression and alcohol dependence are risk factors for one another, and severity in one is associated with severity in the other. Alcohol dependence makes depression lasts longer. Patients who are depressed after they stop drinking are more likely to relapse into heavy drinking. Studies have also found that untreated depression predicts the worst outcome for alcoholic dependence.

The reason physicians usually do not treat the two disorders simultaneously is medications react with one another and with alcohol. Also, if the alcohol dependence is what causes the depression, then the depression will go away once the person stops drinking. In those cases, taking antidepressant drugs is not necessary.

Many physicians believe that genetic risk factors for mood disorders, including depression, may overlap for risk factors for alcohol dependence, which may be why the two disorders tend to "travel" together.

The findings referred to in Science Daily show how gender roles among heterosexual couples experience radical strains when the male partner experiences depression and the female tries to help. Depression is most often thought of as being a "woman’s" health issue and is often underreported among men. Therefore, little is known about how heterosexual couples handle it when the male is depressed.

The study underscores that women play an important role in helping their male partner manage depression. Since relationships are fundamental to how health decisions are made within the family dynamic, we need more research to better understand those dynamics.

The study found the "trading places" scenario to be most common pattern in heterosexual relationships. Partners typically took on atypical female and male roles in order to cope with the challenges created by the male’s depression. In these cases, men took on the homemaker role and the women went to work as the breadwinner.

In the "business as usual" scenario, the couples downplayed the problems caused by the male’s depression and held firm to gender roles despite the male’s struggle with depression as they maintained their careers.

In the "edgy tensions" pattern, the couples were caught in dysfunctional relationships. Each already held ideas of gender roles that differed from their partner’s view and they wrestled with resentment. Men often were involved with alcohol or illicit drugs to manage their depression.

The study was conducted on men from 20 to 53 years of age who had differing levels of education, from some high school to graduate level degrees.

The research highlighted that alcohol does not help with the effects of certain diseases and can, in fact, cause a longer period of recovery after burns, injury and physical trauma. Alcohol is further known to hinder the response of anti-viral immunity, specifically in the liver. Alcohol alters the function of monocytes and consumption causes a double-negative result of decreasing anti-viral effects of IFN and increasing inflammation of pro-inflammatory TNFa.

The research team focused on two disease-related pathways. The results showed that the activation of both pathways resulted in increases in anti-viral cytokine IFN levels. However, the result was decreased by an alcohol treatment that was equivalent to four to five drinks per day for a week. Likewise, the stimulation of the pathways showed a rise in levels for the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFa.

Researchers concluded that alcohol has a strong effect by inhibiting IFN production of monocytes regardless of the danger signal to both pathways. In addition, prolonged alcohol exposure changes the immune balance of the activation of the monocytes and thus impairs the host response.

A study conducted in Finland sought to understand the discrepancies between advances made among those with Type 1 diabetes, or those diagnosed early in life, and the worsening survival rate among those whose diabetes was diagnosed later.

The study’s findings reveal that alcohol has become a significant cause of death among those with Type 1 diabetes in the last three decades. In addition, the early onset Type 1 diabetes survival rates of those diagnosed during earlier childhood have gotten better over the years. By contrast, those diagnosed in later childhood and early adulthood, from 15 and 29 years, have gotten worse in the past 30 years.

In other words, those who were diagnosed early with Type 1 diabetes have seen a significant increase in survival rates, while those diagnosed later have seen a decline in survival rates.

Despite many advances in diabetes care, Type 1 diabetes is still associated with a short lifespan, often caused by acute or chronic complications. This is the first study to present information about the contrast between diabetes diagnosed early and later in life.

The researchers recruited 17,306 patients diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The subjects were all under 30 years old between 1970 and 1999. Over a time frame of approximately 21 years, the researchers examined the causes of death.

From 1970 to 2007, early onset patients experienced a significant improvement in survival rates, but the researchers explain that this is due to fewer chronic problems caused by diabetes during the first 20 years after diagnosis of the disease.

However, among patients who were diagnosed later, mortality went up over time, with acute and chronic problems worsening for these patients. The authors attribute the mortality rates to involvement with drugs and alcohol, in addition to acute diabetes complications.

In fact, the authors of the study report that 39 percent of deaths among patients diagnosed in later childhood or early adulthood were due to drug- and alcohol-related causes.

The authors of the study believe that the study’s findings highlight the value of strong relationships between doctor and patient, including communication and guidance as the patient enters the years when drugs and alcohol may present themselves as one of the issues the diabetic must face.

A New Threat to Drinkers

Recently, a research team at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden discovered a new problem associated with alcohol use that was not linked to drinking wine or beer. Led by Dr. Omid Sadr-Azodi, the team found that just 4cl of spirits could increase the risk for an acute pancreatitis attack.

The study, published online by the British Journal of Surgery, followed 84,601 people between the ages of 46 and 84 over an average period of 10 years. The sample was comprised of participants located in Vastmanland and Uppsala. Over the 10-year period, 513 of the participants developed acute pancreatitis.

Dr. Sadr-Azodi explained that the study’s results show a steady increase in the risk of having an acute attack of pancreatitis, with a 4cl drink raising the risk by about 10 percent. Drinking 20cl of spirits on one occasion increased the risk of acute pancreatitis by 52 percent.

Even Once May Be Too Much

The researchers also found that average monthly consumption of alcohol was not associated with the measurement of the occurrence of acute pancreatitis. The participants included in the study generally consumed alcohol within acceptable ranges, with use remaining in the range of one to two drinks per day.

The study’s authors listed several key findings:

• The average age of patients who were diagnosed with pancreatitis was 64.
• For 56 percent of cases, the cause of acute pancreatitis was determined to be alcohol or an unknown cause (66 percent of these cases were men).
• Gallstones were to blame for 44 percent of the cases, of which 48 percent were men.

The highest rate of single-occasion alcohol consumption was among males and younger patients. High single-occasion spirits consumption is linked to a significantly higher rate of diabetes. Those with high single-occasion spirits consumption had 9 percent higher levels of diabetes than those with lower alcohol consumption, at 6 percent.

The study also found a correlation among education levels, lifestyle and drinking habits. Those participants with higher education levels who never smoked and consumed fruits and vegetables were less likely to drink beer and spirits heavily.

U.K. reports that the government is too much aligned with alcohol messaging and manufacturing continues to influence a new focus on alcohol, including citing campaigns that poise alcohol as having health benefits and cast aside its dangers. Other experts point out that scientific research to back any positive claims toward alcohol is lacking, and that the message that alcohol could improve health is escalated by manufactures. Campaigns geared toward youth drinking are also a focus of new scrutiny.

Editors at PLoS Medicine are speaking out against the campaign strategies used by alcohol companies and the organizations that stand behind them, according to a ScienceDaily posting. They are calling for more research into the effects of alcohol and a closer examination at how the public perceives consuming alcohol.

Among their recommendations are outlawing the use of alcohol ads for sporting venues, tighter controls over ads, new pricing levels and further regulated access to alcohol. Additionally, they are calling for enhanced safety labels that will be more visible and more effective. Community and legislative action are also a focus of recent editorials for to help improve and preserve public health pertaining to alcohol consumption.

With so many patients relapsing after treatments involving behavioral therapy and life skills training, experts have been searching for new ways to treat alcoholism. One area of exploration has led to extensive examination of the brain’s functions relating to addiction and alcohol consumption in particular. Researchers hope to pinpoint exact brain functions in order to develop medication that will effectively treat alcoholism.

A recent study from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden has identified a mechanism shown to block the rewarding effects of alcohol on the brain. The team, led by researcher PeiPei Chau from the Sahlgrenska Academy’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, identified a receptor in the brain’s reward system that plays a major role in alcoholism.

The glycine receptor has been shown in previous studies to be involved with the transmission of pain and to have a part in epilepsy. The receptor normally reacts by cutting off communication in the brain.

While some alcoholics have had success in treating their condition with a drug called acamprosate, it only works for some patients. Researchers are investigating the brain’s functions in order to develop a new drug that would universally treat alcoholism.

The researchers sought to further understand the role of acramprosate in the brain’s functions so that they could better treat the reactions that the brain has to alcohol.

The team observed during animal trials that the acamprosate was effective at activating the glycine receptors in the brain, which inhibits the rewarding effects of alcohol. The inhibition of the rewards is what makes acamprosate an effective treatment for alcoholism in some cases.

The study’s findings are significant because it is the identification of a previously unknown function occurring in the brain. The researchers hope the results can be used to play a major role in the development of a new drug that can effectively treat alcohol addiction.

The findings indicate that there may be further research in the future that continues to push in the direction of developing medication that treats alcoholism by targeting the glycine receptors in the brain. The results offer promising new information about the brain’s specific needs in overcoming the struggles related to alcoholism.
 

A recent Nation report highlighted a campaign launched by President Kibaki to try and curb alcoholism among men. A particular focus was put on men in the Central Province. This area is targeted due to dropping fertility rates as a result of alcoholism among men that is contributing to impotence.

The problem has gotten so bad that women in the province have staged protest marches to stop brewers from selling alcoholic drinks to their husbands. A minister in the area was reported to have suggested that men from other provinces be shipped in to help impregnate the women – replacing one social issue for another.

Alcoholism does not only exist within the Central Province, however, and is continuing to grow throughout the country. Bar owners continue to report strong revenues as customers are guaranteed every night. Consistent drinking in bars appears to cut through ethnicity, region, race and social class.

While visiting bars is viewed as a social activity in many countries, in Kenya it is purely a male pastime. The purpose is not to socialize or spend time with spouses – it is to drink until the money runs out or the drinker collapses. There is a suggested phenomenon that men who stay home with their families are considered to be “sissies” and insecure men must visit the bar to asset their masculinity.

Whatever the motivation, the reality is that the male obsession with alcohol in Kenya has a far-reaching impact that could be difficult to reverse.
 

Unfortunately, many celebrities do just that because addiction is a disease that does not discriminate based on how successful or financially secure you are.
 

Nick Nolte is one celebrity who in the last two decades seems to be in the headlines more for his substance abuse than for any new career successes. Nolte drove much of his press with an alcohol addiction in the 1990s.

While it was reported that he had overcome this addiction, he was arrested for suspicion of a DUI in 2005. This arrest did lead to his voluntary admittance to a rehabilitation clinic in Connecticut, yet it is still unclear whether or not he has been able to overcome the demons of abuse.

Nolte has often referred to himself as a functioning alcoholic and reportedly had attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting the day of his arrest in 2005. A check into this report revealed Nolte did not actually attend the meeting, which may or may not have helped to prevent the incident later that day.

Nolte’s most recent attempt at sobriety was checking into a German medical clinic to seek help for his addictions. Along with girlfriend Clytie Lane, Nolte checked into the Privatklinik. There, he received therapy from the same doctor who treated Farrah Fawcett for cancer. An anonymous individual close to the case reported that Nolte was in very bad shape when checking in and appeared to be in withdrawal, yet reeking of alcohol.

In 2008, two years before Nolte checked into the German clinic, the celebrity had tried to beat alcoholism with the help of Lane and a Hare Krishna cult. The four principles of the Hindu Hare Krishna movement include a ban on intoxication, which includes alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. The cult was often referred to as Nolte’s rescuers as their chanting helped to relax him and eliminated his desire to drink – at least for a while.

Given the fact that Nolte checked into the German clinic in 2010 and was in worse shape than he had ever been, the chanting of the cult appeared to only be a band aid on a gushing wound for the actor. And, while some might believe his lifelong battle with alcohol has helped him to breathe reality into certain roles, his ongoing lifestyle choices could mean an end to not only his career, but his life.
 

Trend analysis is important, as long as it accurately captures information that is used to address problems. In the case of alcohol consumption, it appears that the rise in the proportion of drinkers has risen across Whites, Blacks and Hispanics, as well as both genders.

A recent Science Daily release focused on a study conducted by the University Of Texas School Of Public Health in which the importance of examining all groups was highlighted. Different population groups can present varying trends in drinking and problems, making it essential to study all groups.

In this cross-ethnic alcohol trend analysis, alcohol consumption was examined across Whites, Blacks and Hispanics in the United States from 1992 to 2002.

Researchers highlight that Blacks and Hispanics tend to live in communities where alcohol is more available, there is more exposure to outdoor alcohol advertising and where these individuals have been targeted by special advertising. At the same time, they also have access to fewer personal and community resources to respond to such challenges.

In the study, Whites increased their mean number of drinks, whereas Blacks and Hispanics did not show an increase. All three ethnic groups showed a rise in drinking five or more drinks in a day, as well as drinking to intoxication. This rise was limited, however, to those who drank at least once a month.

Drinking trends are linked by factors such as the drinking habits of the individuals within a group. A change in sociodemographic composition can also influence drinking habits.