Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026
07:31
Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
Published on: January 7, 2019
Progress in mind: focus on alcohol use disorders, an elsevier resource centre
D J Nutt1, J Rehm2, W van den Brink3
1Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK; Imperial College London, UK.
Psychiatry Research
|March 1, 2015
Summary
Harmful alcohol use is a major global health risk, causing millions of deaths and significant societal costs. Recognizing and managing alcohol dependence, a chronic brain disease, is crucial for effective patient care and reducing its widespread impact.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Harmful alcohol use is a leading global risk factor for disease burden and mortality.
- Alcohol dependence is a chronic, relapsing brain disease with substantial societal and economic costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of alcohol dependence as a public health issue.
- To emphasize the need for recognizing and managing alcohol dependence and its comorbidities.
- To introduce educational resources for clinicians on alcohol use disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on the impact and mechanisms of alcohol dependence.
- Discussion of contributing factors including genetics, psychology, and social interactions.
- Overview of associated health conditions like hypertension, liver cirrhosis, and psychiatric disorders.
Main Results:
- Alcohol dependence is linked to numerous physical and psychiatric comorbidities.
- Effective management requires integrated biological, behavioral, and social treatment approaches.
- Educational platforms can aid clinicians in recognizing and managing alcohol dependence.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol dependence is a serious, multifaceted brain disease requiring comprehensive management strategies.
- Early recognition and intervention are key to improving patient outcomes.
- Continued education and resource availability are vital for healthcare professionals treating alcohol use disorders.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Drug Dependence
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:24Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Treatment approaches for psychological disorders fall into three main categories: psychological, biological, and sociocultural. Each approach targets different aspects of mental health, requiring varying levels of education and training.
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...