scholarly journals A Smartphone App to Assess Alcohol Consumption Behavior: Development, Compliance, and Reactivity (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoinette Poulton ◽  
Jason Pan ◽  
Loren Richard Bruns Jr ◽  
Richard O Sinnott ◽  
Robert Hester
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Group Status ◽  
Consumption Behavior ◽  
Study Protocols

BACKGROUND There are disadvantages—largely related to cost, participant burden, and missing data—associated with traditional electronic methods of assessing drinking behavior in real time. This potentially diminishes some of the advantages—namely, enhanced sample size and diversity—typically attributed to these methods. Download of smartphone apps to participants’ own phones might preserve these advantages. However, to date, few researchers have detailed the process involved in developing custom-built apps for use in the experimental arena or explored methodological concerns regarding compliance and reactivity. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the process used to guide the development of a custom-built smartphone app designed to capture alcohol intake behavior in the healthy population. Methodological issues related to compliance with and reactivity to app study protocols were examined. Specifically, we sought to investigate whether hazard and nonhazard drinkers would be equally compliant. We also explored whether reactivity in the form of a decrease in drinking or reduced responding (“yes”) to drinking behavior would emerge as a function of hazard or nonhazard group status. METHODS An iterative development process that included elements typical of agile software design guided the creation of the CNLab-A app. Healthy individuals used the app to record alcohol consumption behavior each day for 21 days. Submissions were either event- or notification-contingent. We considered the size and diversity of the sample, and assessed the data for evidence of app protocol compliance and reactivity as a function of hazard and nonhazard drinker status. RESULTS CNLab-A yielded a large and diverse sample (N=671, mean age 23.12). On average, participants submitted data on 20.27 (SD 1.88) out of 21 days (96.5%, 20.27/21). Both hazard and nonhazard drinkers were highly compliant with app protocols. There were no differences between groups in terms of number of days of app use (P=.49) or average number of app responses (P=.54). Linear growth analyses revealed hazardous drinkers decreased their alcohol intake by 0.80 standard drinks over the 21-day experimental period. There was no change to the drinking of nonhazard individuals. Both hazard and nonhazard drinkers showed a slight decrease in responding (“yes”) to drinking behavior over the same period. CONCLUSIONS Smartphone apps participants download to their own phones are effective and methodologically sound means of obtaining alcohol consumption information for research purposes. Although further investigation is required, such apps might, in future, allow for a more thorough examination of the antecedents and consequences of drinking behavior.

scholarly journals Changes in Alcohol Consumption Among a Population Who Underwent Medical Checkups During the First Wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Japan: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-173
Author(s):  
Yusaku Kajihara
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Excessive Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Excessive Alcohol ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Lifestyle Related Diseases

Background: Movement restrictions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have inflicted stress and affected drinking behavior. However, limited information is available on the changes in alcohol use among the Japanese population.Method: This retrospective study included 371 subjects aged 20–74 years who underwent medical checkups at Fuyoukai Murakami Hospital before (April 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020). All data were extracted from medical records. Changes in alcohol consumption and severity were also investigated. A logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors associated with increased drinking, and seven variables were sequentially introduced into the model—age (≤ 49 years), male sex, prior instructions for alcohol restriction, medication for lifestyle-related diseases (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperuricemia), depression or insomnia, essential workers, and smoking.Results: The median age was 46 years, and 81.7% subjects were men. In total, 25.1% subjects increased their alcohol intake, and 24.5% subjects reduced their alcohol intake. The rates of excessive alcohol consumption (≥ 60 g ethanol per day) were 15.9% and 16.7% in the pre-COVID-19 period and during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified only age ≤ 49 years as a risk factor for increased drinking (adjusted odds ratio, 2.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.22–3.99; p = 0.009).Conclusion: Approximately one-fourth of the subjects reported increased drinking, although the overall severity remained stable. The importance of alcohol reduction, particularly among young people, should be emphasized.

scholarly journals Finding the Right Balance: A Social Norms Intervention to Reduce Heavy Drinking in University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Wolter ◽  
Tino Lesener ◽  
Tobias Alexander Thomas ◽  
Alicia-Carolin Hentschel ◽  
Burkhard Gusy
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
University Students ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Alcohol Prevention ◽  
Normative Feedback ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Heavy alcohol consumption constitutes a major health risk among University students. Social relationships with peers strongly affect University students' perception of the drinking behavior of others, which in turn plays a crucial role in determining their own alcohol intake. University students tend to overestimate their peers' alcohol consumption – a belief that is associated with an increase in an individual's own consumption. Therefore, we implemented a social norms intervention with personalized normative feedback at a major University in Germany to reduce and prevent excessive drinking among University students.Methods: Our intervention was part of a regular health monitoring survey. We invited all enrolled University students to take part in this survey on two occasions. A total of 862 University students completed the questionnaire, 563 (65.3%) of which received e-mail-based feedback upon request concerning their peers' and their own alcohol consumption. For the intervention group (n = 190) as well as the control group (no feedback requested; n = 101), we included only University students in the evaluation who overestimated their peers' alcohol use and indicated above average consumption of the peers. We applied analyses of variance to assess intervention effects with regard to the correction of overestimated group norms as well as University students' drinking behavior.Results: Within the intervention group, we observed a significantly larger reduction of the previously overestimated behavioral norms compared to the control group (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.06). With regard to behavioral outcomes the intervention group showed a significantly larger reduction in the AUDIT-C score (p = 0.020; ηp2 = 0.03).Discussion: Our study confirms previous research whereupon personalized, gender-specific and selective normative feedback is effective for alcohol prevention among University students. However, University students still overestimated their peers' alcohol intake after the intervention. Furthermore, we did not reach high-risk groups (University students with the highest alcohol intake) since no feedback was requested. Future studies should address factors influencing the impact of the intervention and reachability of selective groups.

scholarly journals Effects of a Peripherally Restricted Hybrid Inhibitor of CB1 Receptors and iNOS on Alcohol Drinking Behavior and Alcohol-Induced Endotoxemia

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 5089
Author(s):  
Luis Santos-Molina ◽  
Alexa Herrerias ◽  
Charles N. Zawatsky ◽  
Ozge Gunduz-Cinar ◽  
Resat Cinar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Cb1 Receptors ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Inhibitory Function ◽  
Inos Inhibitor

Alcohol consumption is associated with gut dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, endotoxemia, and a cascade that leads to persistent systemic inflammation, alcoholic liver disease, and other ailments. Craving for alcohol and its consequences depends, among other things, on the endocannabinoid system. We have analyzed the relative role of central vs. peripheral cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1R) using a “two-bottle” as well as a “drinking in the dark” paradigm in mice. The globally acting CB1R antagonist rimonabant and the non-brain penetrant CB1R antagonist JD5037 inhibited voluntary alcohol intake upon systemic but not upon intracerebroventricular administration in doses that elicited anxiogenic-like behavior and blocked CB1R-induced hypothermia and catalepsy. The peripherally restricted hybrid CB1R antagonist/iNOS inhibitor S-MRI-1867 was also effective in reducing alcohol consumption after oral gavage, while its R enantiomer (CB1R inactive/iNOS inhibitor) was not. The two MRI-1867 enantiomers were equally effective in inhibiting an alcohol-induced increase in portal blood endotoxin concentration that was caused by increased gut permeability. We conclude that (i) activation of peripheral CB1R plays a dominant role in promoting alcohol intake and (ii) the iNOS inhibitory function of MRI-1867 helps in mitigating the alcohol-induced increase in endotoxemia.

scholarly journals A Smartphone App to Assess Alcohol Consumption Behavior: Development, Compliance, and Reactivity

10.2196/11157 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e11157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoinette Poulton ◽  
Jason Pan ◽  
Loren Richard Bruns Jr ◽  
Richard O Sinnott ◽  
Robert Hester
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Consumption Behavior ◽  
Behavior Development

scholarly journals An effective hangover treatment: Friend or foe?

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 205032451774103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlou Mackus ◽  
Marith van Schrojenstein Lantman ◽  
Aurora JAE van de Loo ◽  
David Nutt ◽  
Joris C Verster
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Harmful Substance ◽  
Social Drinkers ◽  
Consumption Behavior

Background The purpose of this study was to examine whether drinkers would change their alcohol consumption behavior if an effective hangover treatment became available. Methods An online survey was held among Dutch students, aged 18–30 years, who recently had a hangover. Participants were asked (1) whether they would buy an effective hangover treatment if it became available and (2) whether using such a product would increase their alcohol consumption. In a follow-up survey, the same participants could clarify their answers in detail. Results A total of 1837 subjects completed the survey: 69.9% of the participants indicated they would buy an effective hangover treatment if available, 8.1% answered “no”, and 22.1% did not know. Only 13.4% stated that using such a treatment would increase their alcohol consumption. The majority of 71.6% stated it would not increase their alcohol consumption and 15.1% did not know. The follow-up survey was completed by N = 471 participants, of which 11.9% stated consuming more alcohol, 70.3% reported not to drink more alcohol, and 17.8% did not know. Motives for not consuming more alcohol were “The risk of having a hangover does not influence my drinking behavior” (24.2%), and “alcohol is a harmful substance” (20.3%). Discussion Social drinkers second the need for an effective hangover treatment. However, according to the vast majority of them, the availability of an effective hangover treatment would not result in an increase of alcohol consumption.

scholarly journals Toll-like receptor 3 activation increases voluntary alcohol intake in C57BL/6J male mice

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna S. Warden ◽  
Moatasem M. Azzam ◽  
Adriana DaCosta ◽  
Sonia Mason ◽  
Yuri A. Blednov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Ethanol Exposure ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Poly I:C ◽  
List Type ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Excessive Alcohol

AbstractMany genes differentially expressed in brain tissue from human alcoholics and animals that have consumed large amounts of alcohol are components of the innate immune toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway. TLRs initiate inflammatory responses via two branches: (1) MyD88-dependent or (2) TRIF-dependent. All TLRs signal through MyD88 except TLR3. Prior work demonstrated a direct role for MyD88-dependent signaling in regulation of alcohol consumption. However, the role of TLR3 as a potential regulator of excessive alcohol drinking has not previously been investigated. To test the possibility TLR3 activation regulates alcohol consumption, we injected mice with the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) and tested alcohol consumption in an every-other-day two-bottle choice test. Poly(I:C) produced a persistent increase in alcohol intake that developed over several days. Repeated poly(I:C) and ethanol exposure altered innate immune transcript abundance; increased levels of TRIF-dependent pathway components correlated with increased alcohol consumption. Administration of poly(I:C) before exposure to alcohol did not alter alcohol intake, suggesting that poly(I:C) and ethanol must be present together to change drinking behavior. To determine which branch of TLR signaling mediates poly(I:C)-induced changes in drinking behavior, we tested either mice lacking MyD88 or mice administered a TLR3/dsRNA complex inhibitor. MyD88 null mutants showed poly(I:C)-induced increases in alcohol intake. In contrast, mice pretreated with a TLR3/dsRNA complex inhibitor reduced their alcohol intake, suggesting poly(I:C)-induced escalations in alcohol intake function are, at least partially, dependent on TLR3. Together, these results strongly suggest that TLR3-dependent signaling drives excessive alcohol drinking behavior.HighlightsActivation of TLR3 via poly(I:C) increased alcohol intake.Poly(I:C) and ethanol must be present together to change drinking behavior.Increased alcohol intake due to poly(I:C) is independent of MYD88.Increased alcohol intake due to poly(I:C) is dependent on TLR3.

scholarly journals Exposición a contenidos relacionados con el alcohol en Facebook y consumo de alcohol en adolescentes

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11
Author(s):  
Mario Enrique Gámez-Medina ◽  
Francisco Rafael Guzmán-Facundo ◽  
María Magdalena Alonso-Castillo ◽  
Jesica Guadalupe Ahumada-Cortez
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorders ◽  
Data Card ◽  
Consumption Behavior ◽  
Adolescent Drinking ◽  
Facebook Use ◽  
Identification Test ◽  
Technical High Schools ◽  
Current Alcohol

Introduction: exponential and excessive use of social networks like Facebook could lead to greater exposure of alcohol-related content and influence adolescent drinking behavior. Objective: to determine the influence of the exposure of alcohol-related content on the pattern of alcohol consumption, in addition to knowing the differences in frequency and exposure of alcohol-related content on Facebook in consumers and non-consumers of alcohol. Method: a predictive correlational study was carried out, with 672 adolescents from technical high schools, a data card, the Facebook use questionnaire (CUF) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were used. Results: significant differences in exposure to alcohol-related content on Facebook were found, with higher means and medians among adolescents who reported alcohol consumption compared to those who did not (U = 40875.0, p =.001). In addition, regression analysis revealed that hours per day on Facebook and exposure to alcohol-related content on Facebook predict alcohol consumption in adolescents. Discussion and conclusions: alcohol consumers presented greater exposure to alcohol-related content, in addition it was found that the current alcohol consumption behavior was explained through the number of hours per day of Facebook use and exposure.

Development of a Mobile Time Banking system on Blockchain (MTBB) for Community Elderly Care (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hungyi Chen ◽  
Yuan-Chia Chu ◽  
Feipei Lai
Keyword(s):  
Care Service ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Banking System ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Services ◽  
The Other ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Member Service ◽  
Blockchain Technology

BACKGROUND Time banking is a good mechanism to provide elderly care in community services with members having mutual benefits, besides social welfare and out-of-pocket fee payment mechanisms. With further integration with off-line works, mobile time banking may provide a better way, compared to traditional web access. On the other hand, blockchain technology has been long encountering difficulty in integrating with real-world economies or activities. Development of a mobile time banking system on blockchain (MTBB) may provide a realistic solution for community elderly care. Besides, the tracking mechanism from blockchain technology itself may also help track the elderly care service transaction records in order to measure better Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by United Nations (UN). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop the MTBB, which enables tracking service transaction records in community elderly care through mutual helps. METHODS The MTBB was developed to empower organizations, either Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) organizations, or Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs), to issue time tokens of their proprietary token types to the members who participate in the volunteer activities organized by the organizations respectively. In the service activities, members sign in and sign out before and after the services by using a smartphone app, and then get the time tokens afterwards. Members with time tokens can then exchange time tokens for elderly care services using the same smartphone app. MultiChain is used as the blockchain technology stack, as one of its features to support multiple token types is critical. RESULTS Database applications with smartphone apps integrated with MultiChain were developed. The whole set of the database schema was integrated with two smartphone apps, one for members, and the other for organizations, in addition to the two backend operations modules, one for organizations, and the other for managing all organizations and members. The MultiChain wallet was also integrated into the member app, as well as the organization backend modules for keeping track of the service transactions and time tokens. Metadata with the service transaction information is stored in the MultiChain blocks so that the transaction records are immutable and can thus be analyzed in the future. CONCLUSIONS The twelve characteristics of Cahn’s time banking are the guidelines of developing this MTBB with integration of MultiChain blockchain technology for tracking service transaction records. The study also combines the 1-to-1 member service exchange with organizations holding volunteer activities and issuing proprietary time tokens. With the blockchain transaction tracking mechanism, all of the elderly care service records through or within organizations can be tracked and analyzed to align with UN’s five SDGs.

scholarly journals Alcohol Use Disorder among Patients Suffered from Road Collisions in a Vietnamese Delta Province

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (13) ◽  
pp. 2423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai Minh Vu ◽  
Tung Thanh Tran ◽  
Giang Thu Vu ◽  
Cuong Tat Nguyen ◽  
Chau Minh Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Problematic Drinking ◽  
Current Context ◽  
Educational Campaign ◽  
Causes Of Deaths ◽  
The Relationship

Traffic collisions have continuously been ranked amongst the top causes of deaths in Vietnam. In particular, drinking has been recognized as a major factor amplifying the likelihood of traffic collisions in various settings. This study aims to examine the relationship between alcohol use and traffic collisions in the current context of Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 traffic collisions patients in six health facilities in the Thai Binh Province to investigate the level of alcohol consumption and identify factors influencing alcohol use among these patients. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) scale was used to determine the problematic drinking behavior of the participants. The percentage of patients having problematic drinking was more than 30%. Being male, having a high household income, and working as farmer/worker were risk factors for alcohol abuse. People causing accidents and patients with a traumatic brain injury had a higher likelihood of drinking alcohol before the accidents. This study highlights the necessity of more stringent laws on reducing drink-driving in Vietnam. In addition, more interventions, especially those utilizing mass media like educational campaign of good behavior on social networks, are necessary to reduce alcohol consumption in targeted populations in order to decrease the prevalence and burden of road injuries.

Nalmefene against alcohol use disorder: A report of one case

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s866-s866
Author(s):  
M. Juncal Ruiz ◽  
O. Porta Olivares ◽  
L. Sánchez Blanco ◽  
R. Landera Rodríguez ◽  
M. Gómez Revuelta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
Treatment Option ◽  
Withdrawal Syndrome ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Family Relationship ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

IntroductionAlcohol consumption represents a significant factor for mortality in the world: 6.3% in men and 1.1% in women. Alcohol use disorder is also very common: 5.4% in men and 1.5% in women. Despite its high frequency and the seriousness of this disorder, only 8% of all alcohol-dependents are ever treated. One potentially interesting treatment option is oriented toward reducing alcohol intake.AimsTo describe one case who has improved his alcohol consumption after starting treatment with nalmefene, an opioid receptor antagonist related to naltrexone.MethodsA 35-year-old male with alcohol use disorder since 2001 came to our consult in November 2015. He was in trouble with his family and he had a liver failure. We offer a new treatment option with nalmefene 18 mg to reduce alcohol consumption.ResultsBefore to start nalmefene he drank 21 drinks/week. Six-month later, he decreased alcohol intake until 5 drinks/week with better family relationship and liver function. After starting nalmefene he complained of nausea, so we recommend to take the middle of the pill for next 7 days. After this time he returned to take one pill with good tolerance and no more side effects or withdrawal syndrome.ConclusionsNalmefene appears to be effective and safe in reducing heavy drinking and in preventing alcohol withdrawal syndrome due to its opioid receptor antagonism. This case suggests nalmefene is a potential option to help patients, who do not want or cannot get the abstinence, in reducing their alcohol consumption.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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