Impulsive sensation seeking, binge drinking, and alcohol-related consequences: Do protective behavioral strategies help high risk adolescents?

Sex-related differences in young binge drinkers on the neurophysiological response to stress in virtual reality

Background

Stress is one of the main environmental factors involved in the onset of different psychopathologies. In youth, stressful life events can trigger inappropriate and health-damaging behaviors, such as binge drinking. This behavior, in turn, can lead to long-lasting changes in the neurophysiological response to stress and the development of psychological disorders late in life, e.g., alcohol use disorder. Our aim was to analyze the pattern of neurophysiological responses triggered with the exposition to a stressful virtual environment in young binge drinkers.

Methods

AUDIT-3 (third question from the full AUDIT) was used to detect binge drinking (BD) in our young sample (age 18-25 years). According to the score, participants were divided into control (CO) and BD group. Next, a standardized virtual reality (VR) scenario (Richie's Plank) was used for triggering the stress response while measuring the following neurophysiological variables: brain electrical activity by electroencephalogram (EEG) and cortisol levels through saliva samples both measurements registered before and after the stressful situation. Besides, heart rate (HR) with a pulsometer and electrodermal response (EDA) through electrodes placed on fingers were analyzed before, during and after the VR task.

Results

Regarding the behavior assessed during the VR task, BD group spent significantly less amount of time walking forward the table and a tendency toward more time walking backwards. There was no statistically significant difference between the BD and the CO group regarding time looking down, but when we controlled the variable sex, the BD women group displayed higher amount of time looking down than the rest of the groups. Neurophysiological measurements revealed that there was not any statistically significant difference between groups in any of the EEG registered measures, EDA response and cortisol levels. Sex-related differences were found in HR response to VR scenario, in which BD women displayed the highest peak of response to the stressor. Also, the change in heartbeat was higher in BD women than men.

Conclusion

Unveiling the neurophysiological alterations associated with BD can help us to prevent and detect early onset of alcohol use disorder. Also, from our data we conclude that participants' sex can modulate some stress responses, especially when unhealthy behaviors such as BD are present. Nevertheless, the moment of registration of the neurophysiological variables respect to the stressor seems to be a crucial variable.

Investigating the associations of age of initiation and other psychosocial factors of singular alcohol, tobacco and marijuana usage on polysubstance use: analysis of a population-based survey in Jamaica

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine concurrent polysubstance use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana and determine correlations with access to marijuana, friend and familial drug use habits, risk perception and the age of initiation associated with the singular use of these substances.

DESIGN

A secondary data analysis.

SETTING

Used the Jamaica National Drug Prevalence Survey 2016 dataset.

PARTICIPANTS

Involved the entire dataset comprising 4623 randomly selected respondents between 12 and 65 years old.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome: concurrent polysubstance use recorded as using two or more of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. Predictor variables include risk perception and age of initiation of singular alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use, ease of marijuana access and family and friend alcohol and illegal drug use.

RESULTS

Approximately 58%-66% of respondents commenced singular alcohol, tobacco or marijuana use under 17. Participants commencing marijuana use at 11 years and under and between 12 and 17 were 3.346 and 4.560 times more likely to report past month concurrent polysubstance use (p=0.030 and p<0.001). Respondents who did not believe that smoking tobacco sometimes (p=0.049), and smoking marijuana sometimes and often was harmful, had increased odds of concurrent polysubstance use (p=0.047 and p<0.001, respectively). Respondents who indicated access to marijuana as easy were significantly more likely to report past month concurrent polysubstance use compared with those who reported access as difficult (p=0.002). Participants who indicated that friends or family members get drunk and take illegal drugs were associated with 1.722 and 1.864 increased odds of reporting past month concurrent polysubstance use (p=0.004 and p=0.017, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased perceived risk, childhood and adolescent age of initiation and easy access to marijuana were significantly associated with polysubstance use among Jamaicans. The influence of friends and family members' drug and alcohol use behaviours on individuals developing polysubstance use habits further endorses the need for interventions.

Impulsivity, masculine norms and patron pre-drinking levels in Queensland

Pre-drinking is a common practice for young people prior to entering a night-time entertainment precinct (NEP), and is associated with numerous harms, such as increased experience of physical aggression and drink driving. The relationship between both impulsivity traits such as negative urgency, positive urgency and sensation seeking and conformity to masculine norms, and number of pre-drinks remains under-researched. The current study aims to explore whether level of negative urgency, positive urgency, sensation seeking, or conformity to masculine norms is associated with the number of pre-drinks consumed prior to entering a NEP. Participants included patrons aged under 30 years that were systematically selected for street surveys in Fortitude Valley and West End NEPs, Brisbane, Australia; and completed a follow-up survey in the week following (n = 312). Generalized structural equation modelling was used to fit five separate models with a negative binomial regression using a log link function, adjusting for age and sex. Postestimation tests were conducted to identify any indirect effects via an association between pre-drinking and enhancement motives. The standard errors were bootstrapped for the indirect effects. We found direct effects for sensation seeking. Indirect effects were present for Playboy norms, Winning norms, positive urgency and sensation seeking. While these findings provide some evidence that impulsivity traits can influence the number of pre-drinks an individual consumes, the findings suggest that some traits are more likely to be related to overall alcohol consumption and that pre-drinking is a unique type of alcohol consumption with distinct predictors that require further investigation.

Sex-specific decision-making impairments and striatal dopaminergic changes after binge drinking history in rats

Binge drinking (BD) is a harmful behavior for health and is a predictive factor for the development of alcohol addiction. Weak decision-making (DM) capacities could play a role in the vulnerability to BD which in turn would lead to DM impairments, thus perpetuating BD. Longitudinal preclinical studies are however lacking and necessary to understand this complex relationship. Both DM and BD are influenced by sex and involve dopamine release in the core of the nucleus accumbens, a central mechanism regulated by dopamine D2/3 autoreceptors. In this context, we used an operant self-administration procedure of BD in male and female rats, and longitudinally assessed DM capacity, memory and anxiety-like behavior. To better understand the mechanisms potentially involved in the relationship between DM and BD, ex vivo dopamine transmission was assessed short term after the end of the binge exposure in the core of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) using the fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) technique and the D2/3 agonist quinpirole. We found important basal sex differences in DM, with female rats showing better performances at baseline. Choice processes were impaired exclusively in males after BD history, associated with a decrease in impulse control in both sexes, while memory and anxiety-like behavior were not affected. Our neurobiological results demonstrate that BD did not affect basal dopamine signaling in the NAc core, regardless of the sex, but reveal changes in the sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of quinpirole in females. DM impairments were neither associated with changes in basal dopamine signaling nor pre-synaptic D2 activity. Overall, our findings show that BD affects both DM processes and dopamine transmission in the core of the NAc in a sex-related manner, further suggesting that these effects may play a role in the vicious cycle leading to BD perpetuation and the early onset of AUD. Our results may inform novel strategies for therapeutic and prevention interventions.

Sensation Seeking and Adolescent Drinking: Do Protective Behavioral Strategies Lower Risk?

Using a cross-sectional design, we examined protective behavioral strategies (PBS) as a moderator of the relationship between sensation seeking and hazardous drinking and alcohol-related consequences among high school seniors (N = 212). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated sensation seeking was a significant predictor of binge drinking (β = .65, p < .001), pre-partying (β = .71, p < .001), gaming (β = .75, p < .001), and alcohol-related consequences (β = .69, p < .001). Further, PBS moderated these relationships such that among high sensation seeking adolescents, PBS use was associated with better outcomes, including lower levels of binge drinking (β = -.37, p < .01), pre-partying (β = -.44, p < .01), gaming (β = -.31, p < .05), and alcohol-related consequences (β = -.53, p < .001). We discuss counseling implications, including assessment and harm reduction strategies focusing on PBS to reduce hazardous drinking among high sensation seeking adolescents.

Initiation of drug and alcohol use and personality development during adolescence

Personality traits predict both the initiation and continued usage of alcohol and drugs. Less established is if substance use is associated with subsequent changes in personality, especially during the sensitive period of adolescence. We used three approaches to disentangle selection and socialization effects to address whether substance use is associated with personality development (impulsivity, sensation-seeking, depression, self-esteem). First, we used a multi-wave longitudinal sample of adolescents ( N = 8,303) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth - Child and Young Adult dataset to study the first use of several substances. Second, we used propensity score weighting to equate users and abstainers on a range of background variables. Third, we investigated changes before, during, and after initiation of substances. Overall, there was unique variability and effects in personality across time for average levels, trajectories, and magnitudes of change both between users and abstainers as well as within users of specific substances. Results suggest that initiation of substance use is associated with changes in personality; the specifics of which are largely contingent upon the substance being used. Impulsivity and sensation-seeking were the traits associated with the most change while cocaine and cigarettes were the substances associated with the greatest changes.

Psychosocial Correlates of Excessive Social Media Use in a Hispanic College Sample

Excessive social media has emerged as a potential behavioral addiction with multiple consequences, especially in young adulthood (18-24 years). This study aimed to assess the relationship between excessive social media use, sociodemographics, and psychosocial constructs in a Hispanic college student sample. College students (n = 621; n = 456 females; n = 160 males) from a university located on the U.S./Mexico border completed a survey assessing sociodemographics, social media addiction, social media use, and psychosocial constructs (e.g., Internet motives, sensation seeking, and need for drama [NFD]). Descriptive analyses were conducted, as were two linear regressions assessing weekly social media use and social media addiction. Participants reported using social media an average of 20 hours a week (SD = 19.47). In addition, 57.9 percent of participants reported using social media once a day or more, whereas 15.1 percent met the social media addiction threshold. Weekly social media use was positively associated with NFD, socialization, and coping as motives while being negatively associated with age. Social media addiction was positively associated with NFD and coping while being negatively associated with age. Findings suggest that Hispanic college students evidence high social media use rates and may be using social media as an unhealthy strategy to deal with negative mood and daily problems. Furthermore, college students may be using social media as an avenue to engage in attention-seeking behaviors and manipulation of others. Prospective studies are warranted to assess these relationships temporally, as are intervention efforts aimed at reducing excessive social media use.

Associations of developmental imbalance between sensation seeking and premeditation in adolescence and heavy episodic drinking in emerging adulthood

BACKGROUND

Dual systems theories suggest that greater imbalance between higher reward sensitivity and lower cognitive control across adolescence conveys risk for behaviors such as heavy episodic drinking (HED). Prior research demonstrated that psychological analogues of these systems, sensation seeking and premeditation, change from childhood through emerging adulthood, and each has been independently linked with HED. However, few studies have assessed whether change over time in these developing analogues is prospectively associated with HED. Moreover, we know of no research that has shown whether within-person differences between higher sensation seeking and relatively lower premeditation across the adolescent period predict HED in emerging adulthood.

METHODS

Prospective data from the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence study (n = 715) were used to examine the association of sensation seeking and premeditation with HED among adolescents ages 16 to 20 years. We used novel applications of latent difference score modeling and growth curve analysis to test whether increasing sensation seeking, premeditation, and their imbalance over time are associated with HED across the study period, and whether these associations differed by sex.

RESULTS

Whereas premeditation increased linearly from adolescence through emerging adulthood across sexes, males reported growth and females reported decline in sensation seeking. Sensation seeking in adolescence (and not premeditation) was associated with higher levels of HED by emerging adulthood. Importantly, greater imbalance between sensation seeking and premeditation was associated with higher levels of HED by emerging adulthood though we note that variability capturing this imbalance correlated highly (r = 0.86) with baseline levels of sensation seeking.

CONCLUSIONS

Developmental imbalance between higher sensation seeking and lower premeditation in late adolescence may be a risk factor for greater HED in emerging adulthood.

Drinking and alcohol-related problems among at-risk adolescents: The role of protective behavioral strategies

INTRODUCTION

Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) are an alcohol-specific cognitive-behavioral strategies that may be employed before, during and/or after drinking, in order to reduce alcohol consumption and related consequences, particularly in the at-risk populations. Previous research on PBS was limited to North American college students. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of PBS use in a sample of Polish adolescents attending Special Educational Centers (SEC).

METHOD

Data were collected from a nationwide sample of 12-19 year-old (Mean = 15.8; SD = 1.22) students attending SEC in Poland (N = 1585; about 33% female). The self-administered anonymous questionnaires were completed on-site in the SEC. PBS were measured by the authors adaptation of the PBSS-20. Alcohol-related problems were assessed by the Polish adaptation of the measures used in the MINI-KID tool. Alcohol use was measured by a single question on drinking frequency. These two latter variables were measured in the past year timeframe. Hierarchical regression models were used to test the main and interaction effects of employing PBS (total and subscales scores) on alcohol-related problems, after adjusting for demographics (gender, family composition and type of SEC) and alcohol use.

RESULTS

The majority (about 94%) of study participants reported employment of some PBS. Regression analyses indicated that PBS use was associated with reduced risk of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. We found that PBS significantly moderated the relationship between alcohol use and alcohol-related problems, for PBS total scale (F-change (1,1555) = 15.96, p < .001) and one of the PBS subscale: Limiting/Stopping Drinking (F-change (1,1555) = 4.80, p < .029). Findings were discussed within the results of PBS literature and resilience theory framework.

CONCLUSION

The use of PBS helps to reduce alcohol-related problems among adolescents attending SEC. Implementation of tailored interventions that teach PBS among vulnerable adolescents may be an effective way to strengthen adolescent self-protection, reduce risky alcohol use and related negative consequences.

Assessing Relationships Among Impulsive Sensation Seeking, Reward Circuitry Activity, and Risk for Psychopathology: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Replication and Extension Study

BACKGROUND

High trait impulsive sensation seeking (ISS), the tendency to engage in behavior without forethought and to seek out new or extreme experiences, is a transdiagnostic risk factor for externalizing and mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder. We published a positive association between trait ISS and reward expectancy-related activity in the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (L vlPFC) and the ventral striatum. We aimed to replicate this finding and extend it by testing for mediation effects of ISS on relationships between reward expectancy-related activity and measures denoting hypomania.

METHODS

A transdiagnostic sample of 127 adults, 18 to 25 years of age, completed a card-guessing functional magnetic resonance imaging task as well as measures of ISS (inattention, motor impulsivity, fun seeking, positive and negative urgency) and the Moods Spectrum as a measure of hypomania. An original sample of 98 was included for confirmatory and mediation analyses.

RESULTS

We replicated a positive relationship between reward expectancy-related L vlPFC activity and negative urgency, an ISS component (β = .28, t = 2.44, p = .0169). We combined these data with the original sample, confirming this finding (β = .27, t = 2.41, p = .0184). Negative urgency statistically mediated the relationship between reward expectancy-related L vlPFC activity and Moods Spectrum factors associated with hypomania. No other associations between ISS measures and reward expectancy-related activity were replicated.

CONCLUSIONS

We replicated findings showing that reward expectancy-related L vlPFC activity is a biomarker for negative urgency, the tendency to react with frustration during distressing conditions. Negative urgency also statistically mediated the relationship between L vlPFC activity and measures indicative of hypomanic symptoms.

Individual Variables Involved in Perceived Pressure for Adolescent Drinking

Adolescence is a stage when individuals are especially vulnerable to the influence of their peer group, which could lead to the development of problematic behavior, such as drinking alcohol, due to perceived pressure. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of self-esteem, impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity and expectations for use under perceived pressure to drink alcohol among young people.

METHODS

The sample was made up of 1287 high school students aged 14 to 18, with a mean age of 15.11. The Bayes factor and mediation models were estimated to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

The results showed the existence of a positive relationship of impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity and expectations for use with perceived pressure. However, this relationship was negative with self-esteem and perception of pressure to drink alcohol. Furthermore, the model results showed that self-esteem mediates the relationship between physical, cognitive and social anxiety sensitivity and positive expectations with perceived pressure to drink alcohol in adolescence.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the strong need for affiliation during youth, it is hard to control grouping and peer influence on drinking behavior. However, knowledge of the role of individual variables, such as those described here, in perceived pressure could improve the prevention and intervention of such behaviors.

Binge drinking, alcohol outlet density and associated factors: a multilevel analysis among adolescents in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Our study sought to evaluate the prevalence of binge drinking in adolescents and its association with density of alcohol outlets around schools. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, with 436 high-school students aged between 17 and 19 and enrolled in 18 public and private schools. The students completed the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-C), consisting of questions about alcohol consumption by parents and siblings, and socioeconomic status (type of school, mother's education level). Data from geographic information systems were used to estimate the density of alcohol outlets around schools participating. The association between exploratory variables and binge drinking was investigated using multilevel logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05) with random intercepts and fixed slopes. A three-step sequential modeling strategy was adopted. The prevalence of binge drinking was 39.9%. The alcohol consumption among adolescents was lower for those studying in areas with low density of alcohol outlets around schools (OR = 0.32; 95%CI: 0.14; 0.73) and the consumption of alcohol by mothers was associated with binge drinking among adolescents (OR = 1.94; 95%CI: 1.14; 3.30). Our study concluded that binge drinking among adolescents was associated with density of alcohol outlets around the schools and mother's alcohol consumption.

Age of Drinking Initiation as a Mediator of the Relationship between Sensation Seeking and Heavy Drinking among High School Seniors

Sensation seeking has been identified as a significant risk factor for adolescent alcohol use. Little is known, however, about the process by which sensation seeking impacts heavy alcohol use. The current study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships among sensation seeking, age of drinking initiation, and heavy alcohol use in a sample of high school seniors (N = 221). Results supporting age of drinking initiation as a mediator of the relationship between sensation seeking and heavy alcohol use. Implications include providing personality-targeted prevention to adolescents who display sensation seeking traits to delay drinking initiation among these students.

A Multilevel Study of Alcohol Consumption in Young Adults: Self-Efficacy, Peers' Motivations and Protective Strategies

In both developing and underdeveloped countries there has been a worrying increase in the number of young people drinking alcohol; this public health problem warrants more research. This multilevel study analyzed the influence of drinking refusal self-efficacy, peers’ motivation, and protective behavioral strategies as predictors of alcohol consumption in a sample of 261 young people arranged into 52 social groups (peers who regularly shared leisure activities). A series of questionnaires were administered individually to evaluate beliefs and behaviors related to alcohol consumption at both individual level (drinking refusal self-efficacy) and peer level (enhancement motivation and protective behavioral strategies). The results showed that the individual variable (drinking refusal self-efficacy) predicted alcohol consumption behaviors. The multilevel design allowed us to evaluate the direct and moderated effects of peers’ enhancement motivation and protective behavioral strategies on the relationship between self-efficacy and drinking behavior. These results show the importance of developing cognitive, behavioral, and educational intervention programs to increase young people and university students’ confidence and ability to use protective strategies, in order to reduce alcohol use.

Protective Behavioral Strategies Moderate the Association between Narcissistic Traits and Alcohol Pathology in College Student Drinkers

BACKGROUND

Personality traits found in Cluster B personality disorders have garnered considerable empirical attention and have been linked to a litany of issues, such as alcohol-related problems. While psychopathic traits have been linked to alcohol-use consequences, narcissistic traits remain understudied.

OBJECTIVES

The current study examines the relationship between narcissistic traits and alcohol use and consequences as a function of Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS) in a sample of college students.

METHOD

Participants (n = 387 college student drinkers; 69.25% female) completed a series of questionnaires assessing alcohol use and consequences, PBS use, and narcissistic traits.

RESULTS

There was a significant positive association between narcissistic traits and alcohol use and consequences. The interaction of PBS and narcissistic traits was also statistically significant. Simple slopes revealed that at high levels of PBS (+1SD), the relationship between narcissistic traits and alcohol-use consequences was attenuated and not significant, while at low levels of PBS (-1SD), this association was potentiated.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that interventions targeting PBS use may be one way to reduce alcohol problems among those with higher levels of narcissistic traits.

Harm reduction strategies related to dosing and their relation to harms among festival attendees who use multiple drugs

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Polysubstance users are a high-risk population for negative health-related consequences. Although some studies have described harm reduction strategies adopted by polysubstance users, studies have not examined their effectiveness in minimising health-related consequences. We aimed to identify dosing-related harm reduction strategies in a sample of polysubstance-using dance festival attendees, and explore the relationship between harm reduction strategies and self-reported adverse health consequences.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Data were examined for 1226 past-year dance festival attendees who self-identified as past-year multiple drug users. We conducted bivariable and multivariable analyses to explore relationships between six dosing-related harm reduction strategies and 13 self-reported adverse consequences.

RESULTS

Self-reported use of dosing-related harm reduction strategies was prevalent, mainly avoidance of mixing depressants (69.2%) and setting limits on quantity (62.2%). Frequent users of harm reduction strategies reported experiencing fewer adverse health consequences (P values < 0.05). Those who reportedly set limits on quantity were at decreased odds of experiencing a bad mood after drug use, sexual difficulties while under drug influence, injuries or fractures while under drug influence, and involvement in fights or being attacked while under drug influence (P values < 0.05). Moreover, those who report frequently avoid mixing depressants were at decreased odds of experiencing headache, loss of consciousness, drop in blood pressure, injuries of fractures, and fights or attacks (P values < 0.05).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Adoption of dosing-related harm reduction strategies appears to be associated with less drug-related harm among polysubstance-using festival attendees. Findings may inform organisations and policymakers in the designing of harm reduction interventions with this population.

Tick-tock goes the croc: a high-density EEG study of risk-reactivity and binge-drinking

Links between individual differences in risk processing and high-risk behaviors such as binge-drinking have long been the focus of active research. However, investigations in this area almost exclusively utilize decision-making focused paradigms. This emphasis makes it difficult to assess links between risk behaviors and raw risk reactivity independent of decision and feedback processes. A deeper understanding of this association has the potential to shed light on the role of risk reactivity in high-risk behavior susceptibility. To contribute toward this aim, this study utilizes a popular risk-taking game, the crocodile dentist, to assess links between individual differences in decision-free risk-reactivity and reported binge-drinking frequency levels. In this task, participants engage in a series of decision-free escalating risk responses. Risk-reactivity was assessed by measuring late positive potential responses toward risk-taking action initiation cues using high-density 256-Channel EEG. The results indicate that, after controlling for overall alcohol consumption frequency, higher rates of reported binge-drinking are associated with both increased general risk-taking responsivity and increased risk-reactivity escalation as a function of risk level. These findings highlight intriguing links between risk reactivity and binge-drinking frequency, making key contributions in the areas of risk-taking and affective science.

Polysubstance use profiles among electronic dance music party attendees in New York City and their relation to use of new psychoactive substances

BACKGROUND

Electronic Dance Music (EDM) party attendees are often polysubstance users and are at high risk for use of new psychoactive substances (NPS). We sought to identify patterns of use of common illegal drugs among EDM party attendees, sociodemographic correlates, and use of NPS as a function of patterns of use of more common drugs to inform prevention and harm reduction.

METHOD

Using time-space-sampling, 1045 individuals aged 18-40 were surveyed entering EDM parties in New York City. We queried past-year use of common illegal drugs and 98 NPS. We conducted latent class analysis to identify polysubstance use profiles of use of eight common drugs (i.e., ecstasy, ketamine, LSD, mushrooms, powder cocaine, marijuana, amphetamine, benzodiazepines). Relationships between drug classification membership and sociodemographics and use of drugs within six NPS categories were examined.

RESULTS

We identified four profiles of use of common drugs: non-polysubstance use (61.1%), extensive polysubstance use (19.2%), moderate polysubstance use/stimulants (12.8%), and moderate polysubstance use/psychedelics (6.7%). Those in the moderate/psychedelic group were at higher odds of using NPS with psychedelic-type effects (2C, tryptamines, and other "new" psychedelics; Ps<0.05). Extensive polysubstance users were at increased odds of reporting use of 2C drugs, synthetic cathinones ("bath salts"), tryptamines, other new (non-phenethylamine) psychedelics, new dissociatives, and synthetic cannabinoids (Ps<0.05).

CONCLUSION

NPS preference is linked to the profile of use of common drugs among individuals in the EDM scene. Most participants were identified as non-polysubstance users, but findings may help inform preventive and harm reduction interventions among those at risk in this scene.

The direct and indirect effect of loneliness on the development of adolescent alcohol use in the United Kingdom

Alcohol use among adolescents in the United Kingdom (UK) remains relatively high compared to those in other European countries. The present study sought to examine both the direct and indirect effect of loneliness on drinking behavior. Participants were school children (mean age 13.5 years at Time 1) participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial in the UK, who completed a battery of questionnaires examining alcohol-use indicators, loneliness, self-efficacy and sensation seeking at Time 1 and at +12 months. Loneliness at Time 1 had a substantive, though largely indirect (i.e., via self-efficacy and sensation seeking covariates), impact on alcohol-related harm at +12 months. Furthermore, Loneliness interacted with gender in the prediction of context of alcohol use, where being female and experiencing loneliness put an individual at a greater risk of unsupervised drinking. Females experiencing loneliness were also 2.9 times as likely to have had a drink in the past 30 days, and around 2.5 times as likely to have ever consumed a full drink, when compared to their male peers. The current results indicate that loneliness is an important but complex factor in adolescent drinking. There are important implications for the development of interventions to prevent underage drinking, not least that it is not appropriate to consider all underage drinkers as socially marginalised. However, for those that are, the self-medication hypothesis is potentially relevant through emotional self-efficacy.

•

Data were gathered on loneliness, self-efficacy, sensation seeking and alcohol use.

•

Loneliness at Time 1 had an indirect impact on alcohol-related harm at + 12 months.

•

Loneliness interacted with gender in the prediction of context of alcohol use.

•

Being female and experiencing loneliness put an individual at a greater risk of unsupervised drinking.

Personality Traits Related to Binge Drinking: A Systematic Review

The pattern of alcohol consumption in the form of binge drinking (BD) or heavy episodic drinking has increased notably worldwide in recent years, especially among adolescent and young people, being currently recognized as a global health problem. Although only a minority of binge drinkers will develop a substance use disorder, BD may have negative personal and social consequences in the short and medium term. The objective of this article is to review the findings on personality traits related to binge drinkers and to emphasize the aspects that should be examined in order to make progress in this area. The main characteristics of personality related to the practice of BD, regardless of the theoretical model used, are high Impulsivity and high Sensation seeking, as well as Anxiety sensitivity, Neuroticism (Hopelessness), Extraversion and low Conscientiousness. The data obtained may have theoretical implications to elucidate the endophenotype of BD, but they are especially useful for their preventive applications. Integration into prevention programs of emotional self-control skills, decision-making, social skills, and strategies to manage negative emotions will minimize the risk factors or consequences of BD associated with personality and will improve their effectiveness. In the future, it is necessary to harmonize a common measurement instrument for the assessment of personality, develop longitudinal studies with large samples that also integrate biological and neurocognitive measurements, and determine the reciprocal relationship between personality and BD together with its modulating variables, as well as the possible cultural differences.