What psychiatrists need to know about drinking

In 2015, 15.1 million (6.2%) adults aged 18 years and older and 623,000 (2.5%) adolescents aged 12 to 17 years had alcohol use disorder, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Approximately 6.7% of adults and 5.2% of youth with alcohol use disorder received treatment in the past year.

Healio.com/Psychiatry gathered the top research of 2017 in drinking and substance use in adults and youth.

Drinking in adolescence alters brain development

Initiating drinking during adolescence was associated with disordered brain growth trajectories, according to recent findings. Read more

Survey results shed light on substance use initiation trends

Illicit drug use initiation was highest for marijuana in 2016, followed by prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers and stimulants, according to national data. Read more

Gender may influence how heavy drinking affects brain activity

Heavy drinking in adolescence affected brain activity differently between males and females, according to research presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress. Read more

Substance use more common in high school dropouts

Youths who dropped out of school were significantly more likely to use cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, and binge drink, compared with peers still attending school. Read more

Mindfulness reduces consumption in heavy drinkers

A brief mindfulness intervention reduced alcohol consumption among individuals at risk for abuse, according to recent findings. Read more