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Heilig M, Witkiewitz K, Ray LA, Leggio L. Novel medications for problematic alcohol use. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e172889. [PMID: 38828724 PMCID: PMC11142745 DOI: 10.1172/jci172889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol-related harm, a major cause of disease burden globally, affects people along a spectrum of use. When a harmful pattern of drinking is present in the absence of significant behavioral pathology, low-intensity brief interventions that provide information about health consequences of continued use provide large health benefits. At the other end of the spectrum, profound behavioral pathology, including continued use despite knowledge of potentially fatal consequences, warrants a medical diagnosis, and treatment is strongly indicated. Available behavioral and pharmacological treatments are supported by scientific evidence but are vastly underutilized. Discovery of additional medications, with a favorable balance of efficacy versus safety and tolerability can improve clinical uptake of treatment, allow personalized treatment, and improve outcomes. Here, we delineate the clinical conditions when pharmacotherapy should be considered in relation to the main diagnostic systems in use and discuss clinical endpoints that represent meaningful clinical benefits. We then review specific developments in three categories of targets that show promise for expanding the treatment toolkit. GPCRs remain the largest category of successful drug targets across contemporary medicine, and several GPCR targets are currently pursued for alcohol-related indications. Endocrine systems are another established category, and several promising targets have emerged for alcohol indications. Finally, immune modulators have revolutionized treatment of multiple medical conditions, and they may also hold potential to produce benefits in patients with alcohol problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Heilig
- Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Linköping University, and Department of Psychiatry, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Katie Witkiewitz
- Department of Psychology and Center on Alcohol, Substance Use and Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Lara A. Ray
- Department of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, NIH, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Albery IP, Long N, Kelly I, Frings D, Morris J. Does identity as a drinker predict problem recognition motivation in harmful drinkers? Soc Sci Med 2024; 351:116967. [PMID: 38761456 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Harmful drinking is associated with significant negative health and social outcomes, but drinkers are reticent to recognise personal drinking problems, hindering natural recovery or help-seeking. Recent evidence suggests that social identity as a drinker is associated with various drinking-related factors but has not been examined in relation to likelihood of problem recognition. In a group of ninety-six harmful drinkers (61 females, M age = 34 years) we explored how identity components associated with ingroup self-investment and ingroup self-definition in combination with implicit identity as a drinker accounted for degrees of problem recognition. In addition to demographic information, addiction experience and drinking behaviour (AUDIT), respondents completed measures of ingroup self-investment (identity centrality, solidarity, and satisfaction), ingroup self-definition (ingroup homogeneity and self-stereotyping), a "self as drinker" identity implicit association test and problem recognition (four items from the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale). After controlling for possible covariates (age, gender and alcohol addiction experience) increased problem recognition was accounted for by explicit and not implicit identity components. More specifically, increasing perceived chronic saliency of one's drinker identity (self-investment in the drinker ingroup) and not an implicit association between the self and being a drinker was related to increased likelihood of problem recognition. This suggests that how chronically and explicitly accessible the identity of the drinker is for individuals might operate to stimulate the willingness or motivation to recognise potential drinking related harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian P Albery
- Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Natalie Long
- Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Kelly
- Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Frings
- Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Morris
- Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
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Morris J, Rose AK, Cox S, Jones A. Clinical alcohol guidelines are welcome-but upstream action is paramount. Addiction 2024; 119:593-594. [PMID: 38084498 DOI: 10.1111/add.16408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- James Morris
- Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK
| | - Abigail K Rose
- Department of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sharon Cox
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Jones
- Department of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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Hammarberg SI, Wallhed Finn S, Rosendahl I, Andréasson S, Jayaram-Lindström N, Hammarberg A. Behavioural self-control training versus motivational enhancement therapy for individuals with alcohol use disorder with a goal of controlled drinking: A randomized controlled trial. Addiction 2024; 119:86-101. [PMID: 37658776 DOI: 10.1111/add.16325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Controlled drinking (CD) is an attractive treatment goal for a large proportion of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), but the availability of treatment methods supporting a goal of CD is scarce. We tested if behavioural self-control training (BSCT) was superior to motivational enhancement therapy (MET) for individuals with AUD with a treatment goal of CD. DESIGN Randomized controlled two-group trial. Follow-ups were conducted at 12 and 26 weeks (primary end-point) after inclusion. SETTING Three specialized dependency care clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred and fifty self-referred adults (52% men) fulfilling criteria of AUD (DSM-5) and a stated treatment goal of CD. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR BSCT (n = 125), a five-session treatment based on cognitive behavioural therapy versus the active comparator, MET (n = 125), containing four sessions based on Motivational Interviewing. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcome measure was mean weekly alcohol consumption at the 26-week follow-up, adjusted for baseline consumption. CONCLUSIONS A randomized controlled trial found no evidence of a difference between behavioural self-control training and motivational enhancement therapy in reducing weekly alcohol consumption. Both groups substantially reduced consumption and behavioural self-control training was superior in reducing hazardous drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina Ingesson Hammarberg
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Wallhed Finn
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingvar Rosendahl
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Andréasson
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nitya Jayaram-Lindström
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Hammarberg
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Leonhard A, Leonhard C, Sander C, Schomerus G. The effect of alcohol use disorder symptom and recovery narratives on problem-recognition: A randomized online trial. Addict Behav 2022; 134:107426. [PMID: 35870440 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low problem recognition is a barrier to seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder ("AUD"). Promoting continuum belief narratives, which conceptualize AUD as a spectrum, together with narratives that promote non-abstinence recovery may boost self-recognition of risky drinking. This experimental study examines the effect of dichotomous vs continuous symptom narratives and non-abstinence vs abstinence recovery narratives on self-recognition of risky drinking among students. METHODS N = 489 participants were randomized to one of four interventions combining a continuous vs dichotomous AUD symptom narrative with an abstinence vs moderated drinking AUD recovery narrative in a 2×2 design. Participants completed demographic and alcohol use (AUDIT-C) preintervention measures and postintervention measures assessing self-recognition of risky drinking and endorsement of continuum beliefs. RESULTS Moderate drinking recovery narratives resulted in higher endorsement of continuum beliefs (F (1, 485) = 16.27, p <.001, η2p =.032 90 % CI [0.01, 0.06]). Recognizing own risky drinking behavior was unaffected by the interventions. However, in a subgroup of participants without prior AUD experience who met AUDIT-C criteria for risky drinking, the combination of a continuous symptom narrative and moderated drinking recovery narrative resulted in higher problem recognition (F (1, 48) = 5.79, p =.020, η2p =.10, 90 % CI [0.01, 0.25]). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to moderated drinking recovery narratives may help develop an awareness in young adults that problematic alcohol use exists on a spectrum. Among those at increased risk for AUD, exposure to narratives that promote a continuous model of AUD and non-abstinence recovery may increase problem recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya Leonhard
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
| | - Christoph Leonhard
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Dr, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
| | - Christian Sander
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Georg Schomerus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Leipzig 04103, Germany
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Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent but severely under-treated disorder, with only three widely-approved pharmacotherapies. Given that AUD is a very heterogeneous disorder, it is unlikely that one single medication will be effective for all individuals with an AUD. As such, there is a need to develop new, more effective, and diverse pharmacological treatment options for AUD with the hopes of increasing utilization and improving care. In this qualitative literature review, we discuss the efficacy, mechanism of action, and tolerability of approved, repurposed, and novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of AUD with a clinical perspective. Pharmacotherapies discussed include: disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone, nalmefene, topiramate, gabapentin, varenicline, baclofen, sodium oxybate, aripiprazole, ondansetron, mifepristone, ibudilast, suvorexant, prazosin, doxazosin, N-acetylcysteine, GET73, ASP8062, ABT-436, PF-5190457, and cannabidiol. Overall, many repurposed and novel agents discussed in this review demonstrate clinical effectiveness and promise for the future of AUD treatment. Importantly, these medications also offer potential improvements towards the advancement of precision medicine and personalized treatment for the heterogeneous AUD population. However, there remains a great need to improve access to treatment, increase the menu of approved pharmacological treatments, and de-stigmatize and increase treatment-seeking for AUD.
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Morris J, Moss A, Albery I, Heather N. The "alcoholic other": Harmful drinkers resist problem recognition to manage identity threat. Addict Behav 2022; 124:107093. [PMID: 34500234 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Harmful drinkers represent an important Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) group in public health terms, accounting for significant health and social costs. However, harmful drinkers are characterized by low problem recognition; they tend to construct their drinking identity as positive and problem-free, actively setting themselves apart from the stigmatised 'alcoholic other'. As such, harmful drinkers rarely engage in treatment and represent an important opportunity for lower threshold interventions and self-change. The present study sought to explore AUD problem framing and stigma effects on problem recognition. METHODS Harmful drinkers without perceived addiction experience recruited online (n = 244, 54% male, 46% female, 96% British) were randomised to one of six conditions comprising beliefs about alcohol problems (control, continuum, binary disease model) and stigma (stigma, non-stigma), and completed measures relating to problem recognition. RESULTS As predicted, results found that harmful drinkers exposed to binary disease model beliefs and stigmatising language had significantly lower problem recognition than those in other conditions. However, no support was found for the prediction that continuum beliefs would be associated with higher problem recognition. Results suggest that the interaction of binary disease model beliefs and stigma prompted alcoholic label avoidance. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that problem framing has important consequences for harmful drinkers. Implications for behaviour change amongst harmful drinkers through mechanisms of problem framing and identity are discussed.
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