Drs. Michael Miles, Laura Nagy, Tammy Chung, and Howard Becker with the Board of Field Editors and the Editorial Office of Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research would like to express gratitude to the following investigators who have reviewed manuscripts submitted to the Journal for publication from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. It is the rigor of the peer review process that ultimately determines the quality of the journal. Your continued support of the journal is greatly appreciated.
We apologize if any reviewer has been inadvertently omitted from the list. Please let us know, as we intend to publish an addendum as necessary.
{"title":"List of 2025 reviewers","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/acer.70222","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.70222","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Drs. Michael Miles, Laura Nagy, Tammy Chung, and Howard Becker with the Board of Field Editors and the Editorial Office of <i>Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research</i> would like to express gratitude to the following investigators who have reviewed manuscripts submitted to the Journal for publication from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. It is the rigor of the peer review process that ultimately determines the quality of the journal. Your continued support of the journal is greatly appreciated.</p><p>We apologize if any reviewer has been inadvertently omitted from the list. Please let us know, as we intend to publish an addendum as necessary.\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acer.70222","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145969872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The endocrine system coordinates and integrates cellular activity throughout the body by regulating cellular and organ function and maintaining homeostasis. Homeostasis, the dynamic maintenance of internal balance despite changing external or internal conditions, is essential for proper cellular function. The endocrine system achieves this through a complex regulatory network of hormone-mediated signaling among multiple endocrine organs, relying on precisely regulated synthesis and release of hormones and specific hormone-receptor interactions. Endocrine-mediated actions coordinate critical physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress adaptation, and circadian rhythms throughout the lifespan. Endocrine glands—such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid glands, pancreas, adrenal glands, and gonads—secrete hormones that act via autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine mechanisms to influence target tissues. Hormonal actions are mediated by either cell surface receptors (e.g., G protein–coupled receptors for peptide hormones) or intracellular receptors (e.g., steroid and thyroid hormones). Hormone secretion is tightly regulated by feedback loops (e.g., cortisol inhibition of corticotropin releasing hormone [CRH] and adrenocorticotropin [ACTH] hormone) as well as by nutrient signals, neural inputs, and circadian cues. Alcohol, a commonly used substance, can impact the integrity of endocrine regulation of homeostasis at multiple sites and consequently contribute to risk for comorbid conditions. This review summarizes the physiological roles of key endocrine systems, delineates alcohol's effects as reported in both preclinical and clinical studies, discusses the clinical consequences and potential therapeutic implications of alcohol-related endocrine dysfunction, and identifies areas in need of further research.
{"title":"Alcohol and the endocrine system: A critical review of disruptions, potential mechanisms, and health implications","authors":"Patricia E. Molina, Liz Simon","doi":"10.1111/acer.70221","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70221","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The endocrine system coordinates and integrates cellular activity throughout the body by regulating cellular and organ function and maintaining homeostasis. Homeostasis, the dynamic maintenance of internal balance despite changing external or internal conditions, is essential for proper cellular function. The endocrine system achieves this through a complex regulatory network of hormone-mediated signaling among multiple endocrine organs, relying on precisely regulated synthesis and release of hormones and specific hormone-receptor interactions. Endocrine-mediated actions coordinate critical physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress adaptation, and circadian rhythms throughout the lifespan. Endocrine glands—such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid glands, pancreas, adrenal glands, and gonads—secrete hormones that act via autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine mechanisms to influence target tissues. Hormonal actions are mediated by either cell surface receptors (e.g., G protein–coupled receptors for peptide hormones) or intracellular receptors (e.g., steroid and thyroid hormones). Hormone secretion is tightly regulated by feedback loops (e.g., cortisol inhibition of corticotropin releasing hormone [CRH] and adrenocorticotropin [ACTH] hormone) as well as by nutrient signals, neural inputs, and circadian cues. Alcohol, a commonly used substance, can impact the integrity of endocrine regulation of homeostasis at multiple sites and consequently contribute to risk for comorbid conditions. This review summarizes the physiological roles of key endocrine systems, delineates alcohol's effects as reported in both preclinical and clinical studies, discusses the clinical consequences and potential therapeutic implications of alcohol-related endocrine dysfunction, and identifies areas in need of further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/acer.70221","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145960736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Articles of Public Interest","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/acer.70220","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70220","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"49 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145812342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammed A. S. Khan, Muhammed Bishir, Wenfei Huang, Saravana Babu Chidambaram, Sulie L. Chang
Background
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes neuroinflammation and disrupts the gut microbiome through bidirectional communication between the brain and gut. However, it remains unclear whether the brain or gut responds first to alcohol exposure. We hypothesized that brain regions respond to alcohol first, preceding changes in the gut microbiome.
Methods
B6 mice were given ethanol (EtOH; 5 g/kg/day, 42%v/v, i.g.) at various time points. Fecal samples were collected prior to the first EtOH injection (Day 0), at 24 h following the first, second, and third injections (Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3, respectively), and at 96 h after the third injection (Day 6). Brain regions, central amygdala (CeA), hypothalamus (Hyp), and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were isolated at 2 min, 12 h, 24 h, and 192 h following the first and third doses of binge EtOH, respectively. mRNA or protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, P2Y12, ITGβ2, and α7nAChR were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Fecal microbial composition and abundance were assessed using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing.
Results
Data revealed increased TNF-α expression in the Amg, Hyp, and NAc and increased IL-1β expression in the Amg and NAc, 12 h after the first EtOH injection. α7nAChR expression in the CeA, Hyp, and NAc was also upregulated at 24 h after the third EtOH dose, compared to the control group. α7nAChR expression in the Hyp was observed at 2 min after the first EtOH dose. CHRNA7 mRNA levels were upregulated 24 h after the third EtOH dose. ITGβ2 showed an increasing trend in the Amg at 12 h after the first dose, followed by a significant reduction at 24 h, and 192 h after the third dose. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed a significant difference in β-diversity on Day 6. The relative abundance of the Prevotellaceae family was higher in EtOH-treated mice compared to controls at Day 3 and Day 6.
Conclusion
This study showed that brain inflammation, indicated by α7nAChR upregulation, occurred before EtOH-induced gut dysbiosis, supporting an anterograde sequence of events.
{"title":"Early upregulation of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in limbic system correlates with gut dysbiosis in mice exposed to binge ethanol","authors":"Mohammed A. S. Khan, Muhammed Bishir, Wenfei Huang, Saravana Babu Chidambaram, Sulie L. Chang","doi":"10.1111/acer.70210","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70210","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes neuroinflammation and disrupts the gut microbiome through bidirectional communication between the brain and gut. However, it remains unclear whether the brain or gut responds first to alcohol exposure. We hypothesized that brain regions respond to alcohol first, preceding changes in the gut microbiome.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>B6 mice were given ethanol (EtOH; 5 g/kg/day, 42%v/v, i.g.) at various time points. Fecal samples were collected prior to the first EtOH injection (Day 0), at 24 h following the first, second, and third injections (Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3, respectively), and at 96 h after the third injection (Day 6). Brain regions, central amygdala (CeA), hypothalamus (Hyp), and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were isolated at 2 min, 12 h, 24 h, and 192 h following the first and third doses of binge EtOH, respectively. mRNA or protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, P2Y12, ITGβ2, and α7nAChR were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Fecal microbial composition and abundance were assessed using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data revealed increased TNF-α expression in the Amg, Hyp, and NAc and increased IL-1β expression in the Amg and NAc, 12 h after the first EtOH injection. α7nAChR expression in the CeA, Hyp, and NAc was also upregulated at 24 h after the third EtOH dose, compared to the control group. α7nAChR expression in the Hyp was observed at 2 min after the first EtOH dose. CHRNA7 mRNA levels were upregulated 24 h after the third EtOH dose. ITGβ2 showed an increasing trend in the Amg at 12 h after the first dose, followed by a significant reduction at 24 h, and 192 h after the third dose. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed a significant difference in β-diversity on Day 6. The relative abundance of the <i>Prevotellaceae</i> family was higher in EtOH-treated mice compared to controls at Day 3 and Day 6.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study showed that brain inflammation, indicated by α7nAChR upregulation, occurred before EtOH-induced gut dysbiosis, supporting an anterograde sequence of events.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145745886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joseph L. Jacobson, Tugba Akkaya-Hocagil, Sandra W. Jacobson, R. Colin Carter, Claire D. Coles, Gale A. Richardson, Heather Carmichael Olson, Nancy L. Day, Neil C. Dodge, Richard J. Cook, Louise M. Ryan
Background
Recent interest in the screening and diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association of Pediatrics has highlighted the lack of empirical evidence regarding the levels and patterns of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) associated with clinically significant adverse effects on cognitive and behavioral function. We used benchmark dose analysis to address this issue.
Methods
Benchmark dose analyses were performed on composite cognitive function scores derived from data obtained at school age, adolescence, and early adulthood from 2227 participants from six prospective, longitudinal cohorts, whose mothers were interviewed about their alcohol and drug use during pregnancy or shortly thereafter. We compared single-predictor models based on average alcohol consumed per day during pregnancy with a two-predictor, semiparametric model based on (1) average alcohol dose per drinking occasion and (2) drinking frequency.
Results
Our two-predictor model showed that at lower levels of drinking frequency, a relatively high dose/occasion is required for an increased risk of poor intellectual function, whereas at higher levels of drinking frequency, a lower dose/occasion is sufficient to increase that risk. In addition, lower doses/occasion were associated with clinically meaningful adverse effects in participants born to older than to younger mothers. The single-predictor models proved less adequate because the dose/occasion for a substantial proportion of participants exposed at the benchmark doses generated by those models was too low to increase the risk of clinically significant effects.
Conclusions
Given that the cognitive and behavioral deficits seen in FASD resemble those also seen in a range of other disorders, whether the patient's PAE is sufficient to increase the risk of clinically meaningful impairment is a critical element in an FASD diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is needed to determine which patients warrant interventions that have been shown to be effective in remediating PAE-related neurobehavioral impairment.
{"title":"Levels and patterns of prenatal alcohol exposure associated with increased risk of a clinically meaningful adverse effect on cognitive function","authors":"Joseph L. Jacobson, Tugba Akkaya-Hocagil, Sandra W. Jacobson, R. Colin Carter, Claire D. Coles, Gale A. Richardson, Heather Carmichael Olson, Nancy L. Day, Neil C. Dodge, Richard J. Cook, Louise M. Ryan","doi":"10.1111/acer.70208","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70208","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Recent interest in the screening and diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association of Pediatrics has highlighted the lack of empirical evidence regarding the levels and patterns of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) associated with clinically significant adverse effects on cognitive and behavioral function. We used benchmark dose analysis to address this issue.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Benchmark dose analyses were performed on composite cognitive function scores derived from data obtained at school age, adolescence, and early adulthood from 2227 participants from six prospective, longitudinal cohorts, whose mothers were interviewed about their alcohol and drug use during pregnancy or shortly thereafter. We compared single-predictor models based on average alcohol consumed per day during pregnancy with a two-predictor, semiparametric model based on (1) average alcohol dose per drinking occasion and (2) drinking frequency.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our two-predictor model showed that at lower levels of drinking frequency, a relatively high dose/occasion is required for an increased risk of poor intellectual function, whereas at higher levels of drinking frequency, a lower dose/occasion is sufficient to increase that risk. In addition, lower doses/occasion were associated with clinically meaningful adverse effects in participants born to older than to younger mothers. The single-predictor models proved less adequate because the dose/occasion for a substantial proportion of participants exposed at the benchmark doses generated by those models was too low to increase the risk of clinically significant effects.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Given that the cognitive and behavioral deficits seen in FASD resemble those also seen in a range of other disorders, whether the patient's PAE is sufficient to increase the risk of clinically meaningful impairment is a critical element in an FASD diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is needed to determine which patients warrant interventions that have been shown to be effective in remediating PAE-related neurobehavioral impairment.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145745923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Martinez, T. K. Greenfield, L. Li, Y. Ye, D. Patterson, C. Munroe, A. Surace, P. J. Trangenstein, W. C. Kerr
Background
Drinking patterns underlying the effects of COVID-19 economic impacts on alcohol use disorder (AUD) severity are poorly understood, yet critical for alcohol messaging during global crises. We examined whether the effects of COVID-19 economic impacts (CEIs) on AUD severity were mediated by drinking volume and/or maximum drinks.
Methods
Data are from the National Alcohol Survey's COVID Cohort, collected prepandemic in 2019–early 2020 (Wave 1), 2021 (Wave 2), and 2022 (Wave 3) using probability sampling via an online survey (n = 1062 across all waves). Past-year drinking volume categories were abstention and 7 drinking categories ranging from ≤1 drink/month to >4 drinks/day. Past-year drinking maximum categories were lifetime abstainers, former drinkers, <4/5 drinks (women/men), 4–7/5–7, 8–11, and 12+. AUD severity was classified as none (0–1 symptoms), mild (2–3), moderate (4–5), or severe (6+). CEIs were measured as the count of five economic hardship items (e.g., job loss and pay reduction). Path modeling examined direct and indirect effects of CEIs on AUD severity via drinking volume and maximum, separately, controlling for demographics and associations across key variables over time.
Results
CEIs predicted both drinking volume (p < 0.05) and maximum at Wave 2 (p < 0.01) and Wave 3 (each p < 0.05). In turn, both drinking variables at Wave 2 predicted AUD severity at Wave 2 (each p < 0.001), and at Wave 3 (each p < 0.001). Indirect effects via multiple pathways were statistically significant but precluded specifying lagged effects due to reduced model goodness of fit.
Conclusions
Findings suggest people drank more and with higher intensity when facing pandemic-related economic hardships. Both maximum drinking and average volume increased concurrent AUD severity and mediated CEI effects. Health messages and policies targeting reductions in overall alcohol consumption and heavy episodic or high-intensity drinking during economic crises may mitigate the development of AUD symptoms among people experiencing negative economic impacts.
{"title":"Effects of COVID-19 economic impacts on alcohol use disorder symptoms are mediated by maximum and volume of alcohol intake: Data from the National Alcohol Survey's COVID Cohort","authors":"P. Martinez, T. K. Greenfield, L. Li, Y. Ye, D. Patterson, C. Munroe, A. Surace, P. J. Trangenstein, W. C. Kerr","doi":"10.1111/acer.70215","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70215","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Drinking patterns underlying the effects of COVID-19 economic impacts on alcohol use disorder (AUD) severity are poorly understood, yet critical for alcohol messaging during global crises. We examined whether the effects of COVID-19 economic impacts (CEIs) on AUD severity were mediated by drinking volume and/or maximum drinks.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data are from the National Alcohol Survey's COVID Cohort, collected prepandemic in 2019–early 2020 (Wave 1), 2021 (Wave 2), and 2022 (Wave 3) using probability sampling via an online survey (<i>n</i> = 1062 across all waves). Past-year drinking volume categories were abstention and 7 drinking categories ranging from ≤1 drink/month to >4 drinks/day. Past-year drinking maximum categories were lifetime abstainers, former drinkers, <4/5 drinks (women/men), 4–7/5–7, 8–11, and 12+. AUD severity was classified as none (0–1 symptoms), mild (2–3), moderate (4–5), or severe (6+). CEIs were measured as the count of five economic hardship items (e.g., job loss and pay reduction). Path modeling examined direct and indirect effects of CEIs on AUD severity via drinking volume and maximum, separately, controlling for demographics and associations across key variables over time.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>CEIs predicted both drinking volume (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and maximum at Wave 2 (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and Wave 3 (each <i>p</i> < 0.05). In turn, both drinking variables at Wave 2 predicted AUD severity at Wave 2 (each <i>p</i> < 0.001), and at Wave 3 (each <i>p</i> < 0.001). Indirect effects via multiple pathways were statistically significant but precluded specifying lagged effects due to reduced model goodness of fit.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings suggest people drank more and with higher intensity when facing pandemic-related economic hardships. Both maximum drinking and average volume increased concurrent AUD severity and mediated CEI effects. Health messages and policies targeting reductions in overall alcohol consumption and heavy episodic or high-intensity drinking during economic crises may mitigate the development of AUD symptoms among people experiencing negative economic impacts.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145717023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Scott E. King, Jack T. Waddell, Imran Jan, Abigail McDonald, Cassandra Raymond, William R. Corbin
<div> <section> <h3> Background</h3> <p>Solitary drinking represents a high-risk pattern of drinking across individuals but when examined within individuals, solitary moments are associated with less risk. One possibility is that solitary drinking confers risk for specific negative consequences at the day level, but aggregate measures of negative consequences mask such relations. Thus, this study examined the extent to which solitary drinking increased the likelihood of reporting specific negative consequences, controlling for drinking quantity.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Method</h3> <p>College students (<i>N</i> = 1043; 51.8% female) completed a 30-day Timeline Followback Interview in which they reported day-level drinking context, drinking quantity, and negative consequences. A total of 7340 drinking days were reported. Two-level multilevel probit regressions with Bayesian estimation tested whether drinking context (i.e., solitary vs. social) was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing each of eight unique negative consequences (i.e., social/interpersonal, risky behavior, blackouts, occupational, impaired control, physical dependence, self-care, and self-perception), controlling for drinking quantity.</p> </section> <section> <h3> Results</h3> <p>When controlling for drinking quantity, solitary (vs. social) drinking days were associated with a higher likelihood of occupational consequences [<i>β</i> = 0.05, 95% BCI = (0.01, 0.08)] and diminished self-perception [<i>β</i> = 0.06, 95% BCI = (0.03, 0.10)]. Solitary drinking days were also associated with a lower likelihood of interpersonal consequences (<i>β</i> = −0.06, 95% BCI = [−0.11, −0.03]) and blackout drinking (<i>β</i> = −0.06, 95% BCI = [−0.09, −0.03]). Person-level results suggest that those who more often drink alone experience greater blackout drinking, impaired control, dependence, occupational consequences, and diminished self-perception (all <i>p</i>'s < 0.001). When consequences were summed, solitary drinking days (vs. social) were associated with fewer negative consequences (<i>β</i> = −0.023, 95% BCI = [−0.049, −0.005]), whereas at the person level, those who more frequently drink alone experienced more negative consequences (<i>β</i> = 0.10, 95% BCI = [0.04, 0.17]).</p> </section> <section> <h3> Conclusions</h3> <p>Results suggest that social and solitary drinking contexts confer risk for specific consequences and that risk for consequences differs if consequences are aggregated. Findings may inform future interventions by emphasizing certain protective behavioral strategies in specific drinking contexts to reduce the likelihood of negative
{"title":"Solitary drinking as a day-level risk factor for unique negative consequences among college students","authors":"Scott E. King, Jack T. Waddell, Imran Jan, Abigail McDonald, Cassandra Raymond, William R. Corbin","doi":"10.1111/acer.70216","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70216","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Solitary drinking represents a high-risk pattern of drinking across individuals but when examined within individuals, solitary moments are associated with less risk. One possibility is that solitary drinking confers risk for specific negative consequences at the day level, but aggregate measures of negative consequences mask such relations. Thus, this study examined the extent to which solitary drinking increased the likelihood of reporting specific negative consequences, controlling for drinking quantity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>College students (<i>N</i> = 1043; 51.8% female) completed a 30-day Timeline Followback Interview in which they reported day-level drinking context, drinking quantity, and negative consequences. A total of 7340 drinking days were reported. Two-level multilevel probit regressions with Bayesian estimation tested whether drinking context (i.e., solitary vs. social) was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing each of eight unique negative consequences (i.e., social/interpersonal, risky behavior, blackouts, occupational, impaired control, physical dependence, self-care, and self-perception), controlling for drinking quantity.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>When controlling for drinking quantity, solitary (vs. social) drinking days were associated with a higher likelihood of occupational consequences [<i>β</i> = 0.05, 95% BCI = (0.01, 0.08)] and diminished self-perception [<i>β</i> = 0.06, 95% BCI = (0.03, 0.10)]. Solitary drinking days were also associated with a lower likelihood of interpersonal consequences (<i>β</i> = −0.06, 95% BCI = [−0.11, −0.03]) and blackout drinking (<i>β</i> = −0.06, 95% BCI = [−0.09, −0.03]). Person-level results suggest that those who more often drink alone experience greater blackout drinking, impaired control, dependence, occupational consequences, and diminished self-perception (all <i>p</i>'s < 0.001). When consequences were summed, solitary drinking days (vs. social) were associated with fewer negative consequences (<i>β</i> = −0.023, 95% BCI = [−0.049, −0.005]), whereas at the person level, those who more frequently drink alone experienced more negative consequences (<i>β</i> = 0.10, 95% BCI = [0.04, 0.17]).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Results suggest that social and solitary drinking contexts confer risk for specific consequences and that risk for consequences differs if consequences are aggregated. Findings may inform future interventions by emphasizing certain protective behavioral strategies in specific drinking contexts to reduce the likelihood of negative","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145703053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Angelo M. DiBello, Clayton Neighbors, Melissa R. Hatch, Andrew Weinstein, Kate B. Carey
Background
Given the importance of identifying mechanisms of action for the development and dissemination of alcohol interventions, this study tests theory-based mechanisms of change for two brief alcohol interventions.
Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of data from an efficacy trial that compared a novel intervention based on Counter Attitudinal Advocacy (CAA) to an evidence-based intervention using Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF) and an assessment-only control. Participants consisted of 585 heavy-drinking college students who reported experiencing alcohol-related consequences. Hypothesized mediators were linked to the theoretical underpinning of each intervention: perceived descriptive norms (PNF), dissonance (PNF and CAA), attitudes (CAA), and protective behavioral strategies (CAA). Negative binomial multilevel mediation analyses included data from baseline, posttest, and 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up assessments.
Results
Mediation analyses indicated that, with respect to drinks per week, PNF significantly reduced perceived norms compared to both the control and CAA conditions, which in turn were associated with decreased alcohol consumption. Similarly, CAA significantly reduced dissonance relative to both control and PNF, which was also associated with reduced drinking. Conversely, PNF increased dissonance relative to control, leading to greater alcohol consumption. Parallel patterns emerged for alcohol-related consequences: PNF reduced norms and CAA reduced dissonance, each associated with fewer consequences, whereas PNF increased dissonance contributing to greater alcohol-related consequences.
Conclusions
Overall, these findings demonstrate that PNF and CAA operate through distinct mechanisms, emphasizing the complexity inherent in intervention effects. They further highlight the importance of empirically identifying and examining the processes underlying the efficacy of alcohol-related interventions.
{"title":"Mechanisms of change for two brief alcohol interventions: Testing theoretical mediators for counter attitudinal advocacy and personalized feedback intervention effects","authors":"Angelo M. DiBello, Clayton Neighbors, Melissa R. Hatch, Andrew Weinstein, Kate B. Carey","doi":"10.1111/acer.70213","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70213","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Given the importance of identifying mechanisms of action for the development and dissemination of alcohol interventions, this study tests theory-based mechanisms of change for two brief alcohol interventions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We conducted a secondary analysis of data from an efficacy trial that compared a novel intervention based on Counter Attitudinal Advocacy (CAA) to an evidence-based intervention using Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF) and an assessment-only control. Participants consisted of 585 heavy-drinking college students who reported experiencing alcohol-related consequences. Hypothesized mediators were linked to the theoretical underpinning of each intervention: perceived descriptive norms (PNF), dissonance (PNF and CAA), attitudes (CAA), and protective behavioral strategies (CAA). Negative binomial multilevel mediation analyses included data from baseline, posttest, and 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up assessments.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Mediation analyses indicated that, with respect to drinks per week, PNF significantly reduced perceived norms compared to both the control and CAA conditions, which in turn were associated with decreased alcohol consumption. Similarly, CAA significantly reduced dissonance relative to both control and PNF, which was also associated with reduced drinking. Conversely, PNF increased dissonance relative to control, leading to greater alcohol consumption. Parallel patterns emerged for alcohol-related consequences: PNF reduced norms and CAA reduced dissonance, each associated with fewer consequences, whereas PNF increased dissonance contributing to greater alcohol-related consequences.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, these findings demonstrate that PNF and CAA operate through distinct mechanisms, emphasizing the complexity inherent in intervention effects. They further highlight the importance of empirically identifying and examining the processes underlying the efficacy of alcohol-related interventions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12828102/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145679463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farifteh Firoozmand Duffy, Charles W. Hoge, Stephanie A. Q. Gomez, Matthew R. Beymer, Stephanie A. Bricault, Kristiana D. Carrasquillo, Joshua E. Wilk, Amy Millikan Bell, Phillip J. Quartana
Background
High rates of alcohol-related problems have been reported among US service members (SMs). Screening questions on drinking and related behaviors can help identify individuals at-risk for alcohol-related problems. However, brief alcohol screeners, such as the alcohol use disorders identification test-consumption (AUDIT-C) and the 4-item rapid alcohol problems screening (RAPS-4), have not been adequately and concurrently validated among active-duty SMs.
Methods
From October to December 2021, 19,465 active-duty soldiers (including activated reserve soldiers) completed anonymous command-directed e-surveys (response rate= 31%); two random samples were drawn and sex-stratified. The AUDIT-C, RAPS-4, depression (PHQ2), anxiety (GAD2), and suicidal thoughts (2-item CSSRS) were analyzed to assess convergent validity and clinical utility of the AUDIT-C versus RAPS-4.
Results
Findings indicate fair-to-moderate (φ = 0.310–0.399) convergence between screeners among males and weak-to-fair (φ = 0.227–0.391) convergence among female soldiers. Among male soldiers, the best level of agreement between screeners, albeit fair in concordance, was AUDIT-C ≥ 6 (weighted kappa = 0.381–0.399). Among female soldiers, AUDIT-C ≥ 4 or 5 demonstrated the best concordance with RAPS-4 (weighted kappa = 0.384–0.380, respectively). Importantly, however, less than one-third of soldiers screened positive by both AUDIT-C and RAPS-4; over two-thirds had discordant screening results. Although both screeners were independently and positively associated with risk for suicidal thoughts, depression, and/or anxiety, the RAPS-4 demonstrated stronger association with suicidal thoughts than AUDIT-C.
Conclusion
The AUDIT-C and RAPS-4 each capture unique but interrelated aspects of drinking behaviors. The RAPS-4 appears advantageous by including clinically oriented questions that have shown to strongly correlate with AUD risk, and in this study demonstrated strong correlations with risk for other mental health conditions. In contrast, the AUDIT-C is only limited to consumption-focused items. While the AUDIT-C is currently mandated primary alcohol screener in military settings, the stronger correlation of RAPS-4 with related behavioral health outcomes warrants further research and consideration as a preferable primary screener among SMs.
{"title":"Assessment of the validity and clinical utility of AUDIT-C versus RAPS-4 alcohol screeners among active-duty US Army soldiers","authors":"Farifteh Firoozmand Duffy, Charles W. Hoge, Stephanie A. Q. Gomez, Matthew R. Beymer, Stephanie A. Bricault, Kristiana D. Carrasquillo, Joshua E. Wilk, Amy Millikan Bell, Phillip J. Quartana","doi":"10.1111/acer.70195","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70195","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>High rates of alcohol-related problems have been reported among US service members (SMs). Screening questions on drinking and related behaviors can help identify individuals at-risk for alcohol-related problems. However, brief alcohol screeners, such as the alcohol use disorders identification test-consumption (AUDIT-C) and the 4-item rapid alcohol problems screening (RAPS-4), have not been adequately and concurrently validated among active-duty SMs.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>From October to December 2021, 19,465 active-duty soldiers (including activated reserve soldiers) completed anonymous command-directed e-surveys (response rate= 31%); two random samples were drawn and sex-stratified. The AUDIT-C, RAPS-4, depression (PHQ2), anxiety (GAD2), and suicidal thoughts (2-item CSSRS) were analyzed to assess convergent validity and clinical utility of the AUDIT-C versus RAPS-4.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings indicate fair-to-moderate (<i>φ</i> = 0.310–0.399) convergence between screeners among males and weak-to-fair (<i>φ</i> = 0.227–0.391) convergence among female soldiers. Among male soldiers, the best level of agreement between screeners, albeit fair in concordance, was AUDIT-C ≥ 6 (weighted kappa = 0.381–0.399). Among female soldiers, AUDIT-C ≥ 4 or 5 demonstrated the best concordance with RAPS-4 (weighted kappa = 0.384–0.380, respectively). Importantly, however, less than one-third of soldiers screened positive by both AUDIT-C and RAPS-4; over two-thirds had discordant screening results. Although both screeners were independently and positively associated with risk for suicidal thoughts, depression, and/or anxiety, the RAPS-4 demonstrated stronger association with suicidal thoughts than AUDIT-C.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The AUDIT-C and RAPS-4 each capture unique but interrelated aspects of drinking behaviors. The RAPS-4 appears advantageous by including clinically oriented questions that have shown to strongly correlate with AUD risk, and in this study demonstrated strong correlations with risk for other mental health conditions. In contrast, the AUDIT-C is only limited to consumption-focused items. While the AUDIT-C is currently mandated primary alcohol screener in military settings, the stronger correlation of RAPS-4 with related behavioral health outcomes warrants further research and consideration as a preferable primary screener among SMs.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"49 12","pages":"2738-2753"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145671083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Charles A. Manzler, Jack Darkes, Cory A. Crane, Stephen A. Maisto, Robert C. Schlauch
Background
Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although sleep often improves during AUD treatment, associations with treatment outcomes have been inconsistent and have focused primarily on mean sleep parameters rather than daily within-person variability. Sleep variability is an emerging marker of physiological dysregulation and is linked to negative symptoms that may sustain alcohol use.
Methods
Adults with AUD (N = 80) completed a 7-day daily sleep diary and clinical assessments before and after a 12-session outpatient psychotherapy treatment for AUD. Multilevel models examined pre- to post-treatment changes in sleep variability. Multiple regression models tested whether changes in sleep variability predicted changes in alcohol use and psychosocial outcomes. All analyses used Bayesian estimation.
Results
Variability in sleep onset latency (SOL; estimate = −4.43, 95% CI [−7.12, −1.40]), sleep midpoint (estimate = −18.77, 95% CI [−31.29, −4.13]), sleep efficiency (estimate = −1.87, 95% CI [−3.01, −0.61]), and number of awakenings (estimate = −0.17, 95% CI [−0.29, −0.04]) decreased across treatment. Variability in SOL emerged as the most robust predictor, with greater reductions in variability in SOL being associated with greater reductions in percentage drinking days (estimate = 0.01, 95% CI [0.001, 0.02]), drinks per drinking day (estimate = 0.10, 95% CI [0.001, 0.20]), and negative consequences from alcohol use (estimate = 0.51, 95% CI [0.24, 0.79]). Notably, improvements in mean-level sleep parameters were not associated with improvements in any treatment outcomes.
Conclusions
These results suggest that sleep variability, particularly in SOL, may be an important marker of treatment response and a potential target for future intervention above and beyond mean-value sleep parameters. Future research would benefit from further examination into what drives changes in sleep variability as well as potential added benefits of adapting AUD treatments to include components that target sleep consistency.
{"title":"Sleep variability as an important marker of treatment outcomes in a clinical sample receiving psychotherapy treatment for alcohol use disorder","authors":"Charles A. Manzler, Jack Darkes, Cory A. Crane, Stephen A. Maisto, Robert C. Schlauch","doi":"10.1111/acer.70218","DOIUrl":"10.1111/acer.70218","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although sleep often improves during AUD treatment, associations with treatment outcomes have been inconsistent and have focused primarily on mean sleep parameters rather than daily within-person variability. Sleep variability is an emerging marker of physiological dysregulation and is linked to negative symptoms that may sustain alcohol use.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Adults with AUD (<i>N</i> = 80) completed a 7-day daily sleep diary and clinical assessments before and after a 12-session outpatient psychotherapy treatment for AUD. Multilevel models examined pre- to post-treatment changes in sleep variability. Multiple regression models tested whether changes in sleep variability predicted changes in alcohol use and psychosocial outcomes. All analyses used Bayesian estimation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Variability in sleep onset latency (SOL; estimate = −4.43, 95% CI [−7.12, −1.40]), sleep midpoint (estimate = −18.77, 95% CI [−31.29, −4.13]), sleep efficiency (estimate = −1.87, 95% CI [−3.01, −0.61]), and number of awakenings (estimate = −0.17, 95% CI [−0.29, −0.04]) decreased across treatment. Variability in SOL emerged as the most robust predictor, with greater reductions in variability in SOL being associated with greater reductions in percentage drinking days (estimate = 0.01, 95% CI [0.001, 0.02]), drinks per drinking day (estimate = 0.10, 95% CI [0.001, 0.20]), and negative consequences from alcohol use (estimate = 0.51, 95% CI [0.24, 0.79]). Notably, improvements in mean-level sleep parameters were not associated with improvements in any treatment outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These results suggest that sleep variability, particularly in SOL, may be an important marker of treatment response and a potential target for future intervention above and beyond mean-value sleep parameters. Future research would benefit from further examination into what drives changes in sleep variability as well as potential added benefits of adapting AUD treatments to include components that target sleep consistency.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":72145,"journal":{"name":"Alcohol (Hanover, York County, Pa.)","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145671003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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