What is Alcohol?
The alcohol in an alcoholic drink is ethanol, produced by fermenting grains, fruits, or other foods that contain sugar. Alcohol has been used as a beverage since prehistoric times. It is mentioned in ancient Egypt, Babylon, and many other societies.
Alcohol produces intoxication due to its chemical composition. Because alcohol molecules are so small, they easily disrupt the brain’s neurotransmitters. The body cannot store alcohol, so it is broken down by the liver and excreted in urine.
![What is Alcohol What is Alcohol](https://staging-wp.policylab.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/What-is-Alcohol.jpg)
What Conditions is Alcohol Associated With?
Many people consume alcohol during recreational activities. Consumed infrequently, it may have few or no health effects. However, it is also associated with an extremely wide variety of dire health conditions, many of which are chronic and/or can be fatal.
About 15 million Americans suffer from an alcohol abuse disorder.
What’s more, only about 6.7% of people who have a drinking problem seek professional help. About 88,000 people die of alcohol-related causes every year. Problem drinking can result in physical dependence on alcohol.
Since alcohol consumption leads to reductions in reaction time, judgment, and decision-making, any episode of drinking can lead to harmful accidents or injury. However, most health risks of alcohol come from problem drinking, including binge drinking.
Conditions associated with long-term alcohol misuse include:
- High blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular events
- Cirrhosis (permanent scarring) of the liver caused by alcohol exposure
- A higher risk of certain cancers, including breast, mouth, throat, and liver
- Decline in cognitive performance, especially in learning and memory
- Greater likelihood of mental health complications like anxiety and depression
What Research Currently Exists on the Effects of Alcohol?
For many years, research around alcohol focused on the idea that it had health benefits if used in moderation. However, recent research is casting doubt on these long-held assumptions.
Over the last five years, scientific studies have confirmed the connection between even moderate alcohol use and premature death, cancer, stroke, and high blood pressure. Some studies also suggest that abstaining from alcohol can improve mental health.
In general, a scientific consensus is forming around the idea that zero alcohol consumption is the best approach for individuals who want to safeguard their overall health.
Why Are Further Clinical Trials on the Effects of Alcohol Important?
Alcohol and its risks have been researched extensively. However, there are still many areas where more findings are needed. 40%-60% of people treated for alcoholism eventually relapse. The precise brain chemistry involved in alcoholism and successfully abstaining from problem drinking are not understood. Quality of support for sufferers can be spotty.
A limited number of medications are available to help people with alcoholism. However, these are effective in only a fraction of cases.
![Clinical Trials on the Effects of Alcohol Clinical Trials on the Effects of Alcohol](https://staging-wp.policylab.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Clinical-Trials-on-the-Effects-of-Alcohol.jpg)
Likewise, further research is necessary to support the anecdotal conclusions of treatment organizations, especially faith-based organizations, about the best way to provide social support during long-term treatment.
Current Clinical Trials on the Effects of Alcohol
This is the most recent list of clinical trials on the effects of alcohol submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov.
Alcohol clinical resources are developed by organizations worldwide. Watch this space for further information about alcohol studies that may lead to groundbreaking treatment. If you have a study to include on our site, contact our team.
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact on Alcohol-related Liver Disease Patient Outcomes, Care and Alcohol Useon October 13, 2037 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Liver Diseases; Alcohol Use Disorder Interventions: Behavioral: Stepped alcohol intervention (SAT) to reduce unhealthy alcohol use; Other: Usual Care (UC) Sponsors: University of California, San Francisco; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Recruiting
- Radiofrequency Applications and Alcoholic Neurolysis of Genicular Nerve for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritic Painon July 25, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Radiofrequency; Alcohol; Genicular Nerve; Knee Osteoarthritis; Pain Interventions: Device: Radiofrequency; Drug: Alcohol 30%; Drug: Alcohol 50%; Drug: Alcohol 70% Sponsors: Tanta University Recruiting
- Evaluating Cannabidiol as a Novel Anticraving Medication for Alcohol Use Disorderon July 22, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Alcohol Use Disorder Interventions: Drug: Oral solution Sponsors: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Recruiting
- Assessing the Safety and Efficacy of FSD-F2R6-A-CP in Volunteers in an Induced State of Alcohol Intoxicationon July 17, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Acute Alcohol Intoxication Interventions: Dietary Supplement: FSD-F2R6-A-CP; Dietary Supplement: Placebo Sponsors: FSD Pharma, Inc. Recruiting
- Motivation for IV Alcohol Self-Administration in Humanson July 10, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Alcohol Use Disorder Interventions: Drug: Intravenous Alcohol Sponsors: University of California, Los Angeles Recruiting
- Centralized Virtual SBIRT for Pediatric Primary Careon July 3, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Adolescent Alcohol Use; Mental Health Issue; Alcohol Related Disorders; Adolescents Interventions: Behavioral: Centralized Virtual SBIRT Sponsors: Kaiser Permanente Recruiting
- A Peer Recovery Coaching Intervention for Hospitalized Alcohol Use Disorder Patientson June 28, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Alcohol Use Disorder Interventions: Behavioral: Peer recovery coaching (PRC); Behavioral: Brief Intervention (SBIRT) Sponsors: Clemson University; Prisma Health-Upstate; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Recruiting
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder : Clinical Description and Search for Epigenetic Biomarker (EPI-TSAF)on June 24, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Interventions: Diagnostic Test: Extraction of microRNAs extracted from plasma (4 ml recovered as part of treatment); Diagnostic Test: Extraction of microRNAs extracted from bucal swabs (act added for research). Sponsors: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Réunion Recruiting
- CoPainHell: The Analgesic Effect of Alcohol and Musicon June 24, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Acute Pain Interventions: Combination Product: Music and pain Sponsors: Eske Kvanner Aasvang Recruiting
- EMA for Predicting Treatment Outcomes in Patients With SUDon June 24, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Substance Use Disorders; Substance Use Sponsors: University of Huelva; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain; Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Spain Recruiting
- A PROspective Faecal MIcrobiota tranSplantation Trial to Improve outcomEs in Patients With Cirrhosison June 14, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Liver Cirrhosis Interventions: Drug: Encapsulated FMT; Other: Placebo Sponsors: King's College London; St George's, University of London; Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust; Imperial College London; King's College Hospital NHS Trust; BRITISH LIVER TRUST Recruiting
- Automated Reinforcement Management Systems, Phase IIon June 13, 2024 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Alcohol Use Disorder Interventions: Behavioral: Contingency Management Sponsors: Washington State University; Managed Health Connections Recruiting
Conclusion
Alcohol has been part of human history for thousands of years. However, modern medicine still has a long way to go in managing the serious health risks associated with it. More alcohol clinical studies are crucial for discovering the alcohol clinical resources millions of people need to stop drinking.
Content Box
- https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol.html
- https://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/history-of-alcohol-and-drinking-around-world/
- http://www.drinkingandyou.com/site/us/xdrunk.htm
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/30350860/the-science-of-alcohol-how-booze-affects-your-body
- https://www.verywellmind.com/prevalence-of-alcoholism-in-the-united-states-67876
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm