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News and Features Related to Alcohol Abuse

Chinese Herb Kudzu May Help Drinkers Cut Down

May 17, 2012 -- An extract from the Chinese herb kudzu may help drinkers cut down on drinking, according to a new pilot study. "It didn't stop the drinking," says researcher David M. Penetar, PhD, assistant professor of psychology at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. "They still drank, but
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The Truth About Toxicology Tests

On television crime shows, the results of toxicology tests are spewed out at warp speed, sometimes available even before the autopsy is complete. In real life, toxicology test results take much longer. "Some of the tests take days, weeks, months," says Alan Hall, MD, a board-certified toxicologist a
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Why Is Alcohol Addictive? Study Offers Clues

Jan. 11, 2012 -- We know alcohol makes many people feel good, and that it affects the brain, but new research goes a step further by tightening the focus on areas of the brain most likely affected by alcohol. The new brain imaging research may lead to a better understanding of alcohol addiction and
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CDC: 1 in 6 U.S. Adults Is a Binge Drinker

Jan. 10, 2012 -- About 1 in 6 U.S. adults binge drinks, according to a new CDC report. That's 38 million people who overindulge. They do so an average of about four times a month, sometimes downing eight drinks at a sitting. "Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks on one occasion
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Energy Drinks Send Thousands to the ER Each Year

Nov. 22, 2011 -- There's been a big spike in the number of people who need emergency medical attention after they guzzle popular caffeinated energy drinks, according to a new government report. The report shows a more than a tenfold increase in the number of emergency room visits tied to the use of
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As Economy Goes Down, Drinking Goes Up

Oct. 13, 2011 -- When the going gets tough, it seems that a lot of us may go drinking. Along with higher unemployment and bankruptcy, an economic recession brings increased drinking of alcohol, a study suggests. The increased use of alcohol includes binge drinking, problem drinking, and driving unde
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4 Million in U.S. Admit Drunk Driving

Oct. 4, 2011 -- Four million Americans admit driving when they've had too much to drink, a CDC survey finds. Just counting those who admit drunken driving -- certainly an underestimate of the true number -- alcohol-impaired drivers were on the road an estimated 112 million times last year. That's do
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Drinking on the Rise Among U.S. Women

Sept. 15, 2011 -- Problem drinking among women in the U.S. is on the rise, a new study shows. Women are catching up to men when it comes to how much and how often they drink alcohol. As a result, they are increasingly at risk for developing alcohol problems. What's more, men and women who were born
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12 Health Risks of Chronic Heavy Drinking

It's no secret that alcohol consumption can cause major health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver and injuries sustained in automobile accidents. But if you think liver disease and car crashes are the only health risks posed by drinking, think again: Researchers have linked alcohol consumpti
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Genes Play Role in How Alcohol Affects Men and Women

Aug. 15, 2011 -- New genetic research may help explain some of the different ways that alcoholism affects men and women. Gender differences in alcoholism have previously been attributed to differences in size and body composition. But the new study suggests that genes may also play a role in the way
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