A study based on nationally representative data from the 2020 U.S. National Alcohol Survey finds that one in three adults has experienced secondhand harms from someone else's drinking—ranging from family conflict to physical injury. While alcohol remains the most common source of harm, nearly 1 in 7 people report harms from others’ drug use, including cannabis, opioids, and other drugs. These harms frequently overlap across substances and are more likely to affect women, people with a family … [Read more...]
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Substance Use and Mental Health Risks Among U.S. College Students
Substance use and mental health issues often go hand in hand, but few studies have examined how using multiple substances at once—alcohol, cannabis, and e-cigarettes—affects depression and anxiety in college students. This study analyzed data from 83,467 undergraduate students participating in the 2020–2021 Healthy Minds Survey to explore how exclusive, dual, and polysubstance use correlates with mental health outcomes across racial, ethnic, and gender groups. Findings show that students who … [Read more...]
The Long-Term Impact of Childhood Adversity on Adolescent and Young Adult Substance Use
Early childhood adversity before age 5, can have lasting health effects, including increased substance use risk. This study analyzed data from 4,582 children (born 1984–2000) of women in the National Longitudinal Study of Youth-1979 cohort. Results showed that exposure to high parental conflict or maternal substance use ("threat-related adversity") predicted more frequent alcohol and cannabis use in adolescence and early adulthood (ages 22–32). In contrast, deprivation-related adversity (low … [Read more...]
Understanding Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicide Risk Among Youth
Researchers: Camillia K. Lui, PhD, Nina Mulia, DrPH Understanding the complex interplay between mental health, substance use, and identity among adolescents is crucial for effective prevention and intervention. Recent research highlights significant disparities in suicidal ideation, substance use, and mental health risks among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth, as well as other racial and ethnic groups. While certain subgroups face heightened risks, broad data … [Read more...]
How Flawed Science Could Shape U.S. Alcohol Guidelines
Why NASEM's approach to assessing alcohol risks deserves a closer look With updated US dietary guidelines being developed, a group of leading alcohol and public health researchers is urging caution about how we interpret data on drinking and health. In a recent commentary in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, researchers argue that many of the studies and approaches used to inform drinking guidelines, including those cited and employed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and … [Read more...]
New Study Reveals Why Alcohol Use Increased During the Pandemic
PRESS RELEASE Shifting alcohol availability, accessibility, and coping strategies drove higher consumption A new study published today in PLOS One uncovers key social and environmental factors that drove a significant rise in alcohol consumption during COVID-19. Researchers from the Alcohol Research Group, a program of the Public Health Institute, found that increased alcohol availability and accessibility, and drinking as a coping mechanism, played a major role in shaping drinking … [Read more...]
When Health and Alcohol Mix: Insights on High-Risk Drinking
Researchers: Won Kim Cook, PhD, Christina Tam, PhD, Camillia Lui, PhD, Thomas K. Greenfield, PhD, William C. Kerr, PhD Excessive alcohol consumption remains a critical public health issue, particularly among individuals with chronic health conditions. While heavy drinking and high-intensity drinking (HID) are well-documented concerns, their relationship with multimorbidity, that is managing multiple chronic illnesses, adds another layer of complexity to understanding alcohol-related risks. Our … [Read more...]
What Recovery Means for People Recovering from Substance Use Disorder
In 2023, Sarah E. Zemore, ARG senior scientist, co-authored the study Understanding the Shared Meaning of Recovery from Substance Use Disorders: New Findings from the What is Recovery Project. This study provides valuable insights into the factors that sustain a healthy, addiction-free life. The research is featured on the Addiction Medicine Journal Club podcast, hosted by Dr. Sonya Del Tredici and Dr. John Keenan. In the episode, they explore the complex and evolving definition of “recovery” … [Read more...]
WSJ: William C. Kerr Shares Insights on Health Risks of Alcohol Consumption
Originally published in The Wall Street Journal by Brianna Abbott and Josh Ulick "You can probably assume that the tequila shot staring at you from the sticky bartop isn’t good for you. But what about that glass of red wine at dinner? Some Americans have long been sold on the so-called health benefits of red wine, partly because of animal studies that touted the promise of an antioxidant called resveratrol to fight against a range of diseases. But scientists have debunked that concept in … [Read more...]
William C. Kerr Discusses Alcohol Use and Injuries in Time Magazine
“The tide has largely turned against alcohol. Drinking, at least in moderation, was once seen as a harmless—or even healthy—indulgence that could strengthen your heart and even lengthen your lifespan. But in many scientific circles, consuming virtually any amount of alcohol is now seen as toxic. On Jan. 3, outgoing Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released an advisory warning that alcohol consumption raises the risk of at least seven types of cancer. Shortly afterward, a second federal … [Read more...]
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