Alcohol Patterns and Mortality: Surprising Findings Among Older Adults
Episode Overview
Study finds higher cancer and cardiovascular mortality among low to high-risk drinkers compared to occasional drinkers. Small protective effect observed when drinking only with meals and consuming wine. Detailed structure of human dopamine transporter complex with cocaine may inform targeted medication development. Semaglutide linked to fewer tobacco use disorder encounters in diabetes patients. Concept of treatment refractory addiction introduced for discussion and potential new treatment approaches.
The authors failed to find a protective effect of low-risk drinking on mortality
If you're curious about how alcohol consumption affects older adults, especially those with health-related or socioeconomic risk factors, this episode of 'This Week in Addiction Medicine' is a must-listen. Host Zach Caruso breaks down a comprehensive British study involving 135,103 older adults, revealing some eye-opening findings about drinking patterns and mortality rates.
Contrary to earlier studies that suggested low to moderate drinking could be beneficial, this research indicates higher cancer and cardiovascular mortality rates among low, moderate, and high-risk drinkers compared to occasional drinkers. Intrigued yet? It gets even more interesting as the study points out a small protective effect of drinking only with meals and consuming wine. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The episode also dives into other compelling topics like the structure of the human dopamine transporter complex with cocaine, the association of semaglutide with tobacco use disorder in diabetes patients, and the prevalence of problematic pharmaceutical opioid use in chronic pain patients. You’ll also hear about the concept of treatment refractory addiction (TRA) and the regulatory framework for cannabis.
Whether you're a healthcare professional or someone affected by addiction, this episode offers a wealth of information and insights that could be life-changing. So, why wait? Dive into these fascinating discussions and equip yourself with knowledge that matters.