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All Friday Fun Fact Marvelous Monday Messy Media News You Can Use Tuesday Talk
All Friday Fun Fact Marvelous Monday Messy Media News You Can Use Tuesday Talk
What was studied and why:Previous studies have suggested that the relationship status of young adults is associated with frequency of alcohol use. Specifically, students who identify as dating more than one person are more likely to have a higher frequency of alcohol consumption when compared to those who are in an exclusive relationship or single. Based on this knowledge, the current study sought to identify and analyze the intermediate factors that contribute to why someone dating multiple people may drink alcohol more often. Understanding this information may further our knowledge of not only factors surrounding alcohol misuse among young adults, but inform on-campus programs so that they can be more suited to the needs of affected students. Reference: Salvatore, J.E, Kendler, K.S, Dick, D.M. (2014). Romantic relationship status and alcohol use and problems across first year of college. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 30, 335-344. How it was studied: During their first year of school, college students were asked a series of questions about their current and past (high school) relationship status, alcohol consumption habits, and alcohol-related behaviors (i.e., positive urgency or the tendency to act rash). There were 6,120 total participants made up of 61% female and 38% male (1% responded otherwise). Statistical analyses were run to identify the correlation and relevance that these factors had with each other. What was found:College students who date several people at once are at an increased risk for alcohol related problems. Specifically, those who date several people had a 72% increase in alcohol use and related behaviors compared to being in an exclusive relationship. Compared to those who were single, individuals dating several people were also 57% more likely to endorse alcohol-related behaviors. Finally, students who have recently experienced a breakup or more at risk for alcohol related problems. The bottom line:The relationship between relationship status and alcohol consumption is complicated. Many students drink in college, but you are more at risk for alcohol related problems if you date multiple people at once. Specific alcohol support interventions should be targeted toward individuals who have multiple partners to help lower their risk, as well as those who have recently experienced a breakup. For more information:Check out this article on peer relationships and alcohol use. AuthorsVictoria Wood, Drake Terrell, & Jessica L. Bourdon Media headline:What the media says:In a highly opinionated piece for Women’s Health, Maia Szalavitz argues for increased access to medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders. She specifically advocates for buprenorphine and methadone, which function as replacements for opioids in the brain. The brain, she argues, having become opioid-dependent, will need opioids long-term, possibly forever, in order to function normally. Other forms of treatment, which she represents with the popular 28-day inpatient abstinence-based model and the 12 step programs, she describes as ineffective, even detrimental, especially for women, for whom she reports overdose rates from opioids are rising at a rate exceeding those of men. What the Surgeon General's report actually says:Key points from the report include the following.
Why the media is messy:
Overall, this article missed an opportunity to advocate for increased access to MAT without disparaging other valid paths to recovery. Bottom line:Evidence-based treatments and paths to recovery from opioid use disorders come in many forms. Szalavitz’ article in Women’s Health argues for one: MAT, to the exclusion, even derision, of all others. A closer look at the surgeon general’s report cited in her article reveals the bigger picture – that while greater access to MAT is needed, other options are equally as valid and important to the SUD continuum of care. AuthorsRachel Davies & Jessica L. Bourdon |