American Society of Addiction Medicine
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Lead: Real-Time Assessment of Alcohol Reward, Stimulation, and Negative Affect in Individuals With and Without Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorders
Lead: Real-Time Assessment of Alcohol Reward, Stimulation, and Negative Affect in Individuals With and Without Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorders
Lead: Real-Time Assessment of Alcohol Reward, Stimulation, and Negative Affect in Individuals With and Without Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorders
Tuesday 11th February 2025
Dive into the latest research on alcohol reward, stimulant overdoses, and the impact of heavy cannabis use on brain function.
7 minutes
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American Society of Addiction Medicine
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Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Family Recovery from Addiction
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
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Get the buttons here!Exploring Alcohol Reward and Stimulant Overdose Insights
Episode Overview
- Individuals with AUD report more pleasurable effects from alcohol.
- Stimulant overdose deaths are rising due to various factors.
- Veterans at risk for suicide often have access to firearms.
- Heavy cannabis use impacts working memory tasks.
- Alcohol labelling could raise awareness about cancer risks.
Positive reinforcement seems to play a significant role in the progression of Alcohol Use Disorder.
This episode of 'This Week in Addiction Medicine' is packed with fascinating studies and discussions around addiction and mental health. The highlight is a study examining the subjective response to alcohol among individuals with and without Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and comorbid depression. Surprisingly, those with AUD reported more pleasurable effects from alcohol, regardless of their depression status.
This suggests that positive reinforcement plays a significant role in the progression of AUD, challenging the traditional model that focuses solely on negative reinforcement to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. The episode also explores the rise in stimulant-involved overdose deaths. Researchers identified three dynamic hypotheses for stimulant-only overdoses, including disbelief about the lethality of stimulants and increased unpredictability in the stimulant supply. For combined opioid and stimulant overdoses, accidental fentanyl exposure and users' shifting drug preferences were highlighted as key factors.
Another segment delves into the access to firearms and opioids among veterans at risk for suicide. The study found that while many veterans reported access to firearms, fewer had access to opioids. The importance of routine discussions about these risks was emphasized, although acceptance of safety measures like firearm locks was low. The episode also covers the impact of heavy cannabis use on brain function, showing a reduction in working memory tasks linked to long-term use.
This effect persists even after excluding recent users, suggesting lasting changes in brain activity. Lastly, the podcast touches on the contentious issue of alcohol labelling to raise cancer awareness, the inadequacy of current marijuana impairment detection tools, and the marketing strategies of prominent cannabis companies. These topics underscore the need for ongoing research and regulatory efforts to address public health concerns related to substance use.
If you're keen on staying updated with the latest in addiction medicine, this episode is a must-listen. It offers a deep dive into critical issues that affect both individuals and public health policies.