Pharmacological Treatment of Alcohol Cravings.

(1) Background: The treatment of substance addiction is challenging and has persisted for decades, with only a few therapeutic options. Although there are some recommendations for specific treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), there is no specific medication used to treat alcohol cravings, which could benefit millions of patients that are suffering from alcoholism. Cravings, or the urge to use drugs, refer to the desire to experience the effects of a previously experienced psychoactive substance. (2) Methods: We included original studies of alcohol abuse or dependence extracted from a controlled, blind, pharmacological treatment study which presented measures and outcomes related to alcohol cravings. (3) Results: Specific drugs used for the treatment of alcoholism, such as Naltrexone and Acamprosate, have had the best results in relieving craving symptoms, as well as promoting abstinence. Baclofen and anticonvulsants such as Gabapentin and Topiramate have shown good results in promoting abstinence and the cessation of cravings. (4) Conclusions: Specific drugs used for the treatment of alcoholism to obtain the best results can be considered the gold standard for promoting abstinence and relieving cravings. Anticonvulsants and Baclofen also had good results, with these medications being considered as second-line ones. Varenicline is an option for alcohol dependents who also concomitantly ingest tobacco.

Neurobiological associations between smoking and internalizing disorders.

People with severe mental disorders have a higher mortality rate due to preventable conditions like cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases. Nicotine addiction is a preventable risk factor, with tobacco use being twice as high in people with mental disorders. An integrative model that divides mental disorders into externalising, internalising, and thought disorders could be useful for identifying common causalities and risk factors. This review aims to examine the interface between smoking and internalising disorders, specifically schizophrenia, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders. The review finds that there is a clear association between smoking behaviour and these disorders. Schizophrenia is associated with polymorphisms that result in an imbalance between glutamate and GABA release and abnormalities of dopaminergic pathways. Nicotine improves dopaminergic signalling and balances glutamatergic and GABAergic pathways, improving symptoms and increasing the risk of nicotine dependence. In depressive disorders, smoking is associated with functional changes in brain regions affected by smoking and self-medication. In anxiety disorders, there is a bidirectional relationship with smoking, involving the amygdala and changes in dopaminergic pathways and cortisol production. Smoking poses a threat to people living with psychiatric disorders and calls for further research to assess the interactions between nicotine dependence and internalising and thought disorders.

Risky business: an examination of drinking games in college settings and their impact: a systematic review.

This systematic review explores the prevalence and impact of Drinking Games (DG) among college students. DGs involve social drinking with the goal of heavy alcohol consumption and are associated with risky behaviours. The review aims to quantify the relationship between DG participation, alcohol consumption, and negative outcomes. It also investigates gender moderation and unexplored motivational factors for DG engagement. Following PRISMA guidelines, 34 studies were included after screening 317 records. The studies comprised n = 34,197 participants and were analysed for various variables, including gender dynamics, motivations, and associated negative consequences. Gender convergence in DG participation was noted, emphasizing the importance of gender-specific interventions. Participants were aware of risks but often perceived negative outcomes as a badge of honour. Motivations for DGs were linked to social interaction and a sense of belonging. Personality traits like sensation seeking and identification with college drinking culture played significant roles in DG engagement and outcomes. The review underscores the need for targeted interventions to address shifting perceptions of negative consequences and consider personality traits when designing preventive measures. It also highlights the significance of gender-specific strategies. However, variations in DG measurement and possible selection bias among heavy drinkers participating in DGs remain limitations. This systematic review provides insights into DG prevalence and its link to negative outcomes among college students. The findings stress the importance of tailored interventions and further research to mitigate risk factors and promote healthier drinking behaviours in this demographic.

The impact of discrimination on substance use disorders among sexual minorities.

This paper aimed to review the literature regarding the impact of discrimination on substance use disorders among Sexual Minorities (SM), with a focus on alcohol, opioids, stimulants, polydrug use, chemsex, cannabis and tobacco, as well as inequalities in the access to health care services. It is alarmingly clear that SM report higher rates of morbidity if compared to the general population. Health care delivery inequalities have also been reported in this special population. Also, the lack of data from low- and middle-income countries on substance use among SM is a major concern. Certainly, discrimination play a key-role among leading factors to substance abuse, continued use, disorders, and lower levels of preventive and treatment interventions. However, it may be difficult to estimate the impact of discrimination because of the lack of research data and different methodologies of literature studies. Moreover, SM are differently categorized and defined and evidences may be not comparable between studies. There is an urgent need of strategic guidelines and research investments aimed at prioritizing these populations disproportionately impacted by substance use. Equity-oriented policies and programs can facilitate opportunities and decrease substance use in these vulnerable subgroups, including community- and peer-led initiatives and nonjudgmental and inclusive health services.

Negritude feminina no Brasil: uma análise com foco na educação superior e nos quadros executivos empresariais / Feminine blackness in Brazil: an analysis focused on higher education and corporate executives / Negritud femenina en Brasil: un análisis con enfoque en la educación superior y en los cuadros ejecutivos empresariales / Feminine negritude au Brésil: une analyse centrée sur l'enseignement supérieur et les dirigeants d'entreprise

O presente artigo tem por objetivo investigar as Políticas Públicas Educacionais e Empresariais para o enfrentamento da desigualdade social de mulheres negras no Brasil. Observa-se a ascensão social das mulheres negras, porém estas ainda permanecem sub-re-presentadas. Os dados apresentados neste estudo referem-se ao percentual de mulheres negras na Universidade e em cargos executivos do setor privado. Problematizar o lugar da negritude feminina, enfatizando as políticas afirmativas para enfrentamento das desigualdades é reiterar a necessidade de políticas que atinjam a negritude feminina e a estrutura social. Desse modo, pensar a inserção de mulheres negras no Ensino Superior é também refletir sobre suas possibilidades de desenvolvimento e emancipação.

This article aims to investigate the Public Educational and Business Policies that combat the social inequality of black women in Brazil. It is noted the social ascension of black women, but they still remain underrepresented. The data presented in this study refer to the percentage of black women in the University and in executive positions of the private sector. By emphasizing the Affirmative Policies to face inequalities, to problematize the place offeminine blackness is to reiterate the need for Policies that achieve female blackness and the social structure. This way, thinking about the insertion of black women in Higher Education is also reflecting on their possibilities of development and emancipation.

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo investigar las Políticas Públicas Educacionales y Empresariales para el enfrentamiento de la desigualdad social de las mujeres negras en Brasil. Se observa la ascensión social de las mujeres negras pero todavía siguen sub-representadas. Los datos presentados en este estudio se refieren al porcentaje de mujeres negras en la Universidad y en cargos ejecutivos del sector privado. Problematizar el lugar de la negritud femenina, destacando las Políticas Afirmativas para el enfrentamiento de las desigualdades, es reiterar la necesidad de Políticas dirigidas a la negritud femenina y a la estructura social. De ese modo, pensar la inserción de mujeres negras en la Educación Superior es también reflexionar sobre sus posibilidades de desarrollo y emancipación.

Cet article a pour objectif d'examiner les Politiques Publiques en matière d'éducation et d'entreprise visant à remédier à l'inégalité sociale des femmes noires au Brésil. L'ascension sociale des femmes noires est observée, mais elles sont toujours sous-représentées. Les données présentées dans cette étude se réfèrent au pourcentage de femmes noires à l'université et à des postes de direction dans le secteur privé. Pour problématiser la place de la négritude féminine, insister sur les politiques affirmatives pour faire face aux inégalités revient à réitérer la nécessité de politiques qui affectent la négritude féminine et la structure sociale. De cette façon, réfléchir à l'insertion des femmes noires dans l'enseignement supérieur, c'est aussi réfléchir à leurs possibilités de développement et d'émancipation.

A neurociência computacional no estudo dos processos cognitivos / Neuroscience computationnelle dans l'étude des processus cognitifs / La neurociencia computacional en el estudio de los procesos cognitivos / Computational neuroscience in the study of cognitive processes

Resumo Nas últimas décadas o estudo de processos cognitivos vem sendo influenciado por duas tendências: a legitimação de diversas formas e níveis de estudo e a tentativa de integração multidisciplinar. A primeira teve grande importância na segunda metade do século XX, quando linhas de pesquisa na psicologia cognitiva e nas neurociências fortaleceram-se. Nesse sentido, destacam-se os três níveis de Marr (computacional, algorítmico e implementacional) como forma de estruturar o estudo dos processos cognitivos. A segunda tendência é mais recente e busca, apoiada na primeira, aprofundar o entendimento dos processos cognitivos em suas diversas escalas e integrar diversos paradigmas de estudos, buscando consiliência teórica. O intento deste artigo é apresentar a neurociência computacional e suas possíveis contribuições para a psicologia cognitiva, articulando, por meio dos três níveis de Marr, uma base teórica que explicite o papel de cada uma das disciplinas e as suas possíveis interações.

Résumé Au long des dernières décennies, l'étude des processus cognitifs se voit influencé par deux tendances : la légitimation de plusieurs formes et niveaux d'études et l'essai d'intégration multidisciplinaire. La première a eu une grande importance pendant la deuxième moitié du XXe siècle, quand des lignes de recherche en psychologie cognitive et en neurosciences ont gagné force. Dans ce sens, on peut souligner les trois niveaux de Marr (computationnel, algorithmique et implémentationnel) comme moyens de structurer l'étude des procédés cognitifs. La deuxième tendance est plus récente et cherche, avec l'aide de la première, à approfondir la connaissance des procédés cognitifs et ses différentes échelles et à intégrer plusieurs modèles d'études, en cherchant des convergences théoriques. Le but de cet article est donc de présenter la neuroscience computationnelle et ses possibles contributions pour la psychologie cognitive en articulant, par les trois niveaux de Marr, une base théorique qui puisse expliciter le rôle de chacune des disciplines et de ses possibles interactions.

Resumen En las últimas décadas, el estudio de procesos cognitivos se ha visto influenciado por dos tendencias: la legitimación de diversas formas y niveles de estudio, y el intento de integración multidisciplinar. La primera tuvo gran importancia en la segunda mitad del siglo XX, cuando varias líneas de investigación en la psicología cognitiva y en las neurociencias se fortalecieron. En ese sentido, destacan los tres niveles de Marr (computacional, algorítmico e implementacional) como una manera de estructurar el estudio de los procesos cognitivos. La segunda tendencia es más reciente y busca, apoyada en la primera, profundizar la comprensión de los procesos cognitivos en sus diversas escalas e integrar diversos paradigmas de estudios, buscando consiliencia teórica. En este artículo, se intenta presentar la neurociencia computacional y sus posibles contribuciones para la psicología cognitiva, articulando, a través de los tres niveles de Marr, una base teórica que ponga de manifiesto el papel de cada una de las disciplinas y sus posibles interacciones.

Abstract In recent decades the study of cognitive processes has been influenced by two tendencies: legitimation of several forms and levels of study and the attempt of multidisciplinary integration. The first had great importance in the second half of the 20th century, when research lines in cognitive psychology and neuroscience were strengthened. In this sense, Marr's three levels of analysis (computational, algorithmic, and implementation) are one way to structure the study of cognitive processes. The second tendency is more recent and, supported by the first one, seeks to deepen the understanding of cognitive processes in their different scales and to integrate several paradigms of studies in order to reach theoretical consilience. This article aims to introduce computational neuroscience and its possible contributions to cognitive psychology, articulating, through Marr's three levels, a theoretical basis that explains the role of each of the disciplines and their possible interactions.

Prevalence of at-risk drinking among Brazilian truck drivers and its interference on the performance of executive cognitive tasks.

BACKGROUND: Binge drinking (BD) has been associated with an increase in the risk of alcohol-related injuries. Alcohol continues to be the main substance consumed by truck drivers, a population of special concern, since they are often involved in traffic accidents. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of BD and its interference in the executive functioning among truck drivers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A non-probabilistic sample of 684 truck drivers was requested to answer a structured research instrument on their demographic data and alcohol use. They performed cognitive tests to assess their executive functioning and inventories about confounding variables. The participants were then divided according to their involvement in BD. RESULTS: 17.5% of the interviewees have reported being engaged in BD. Binge drinkers showed a better performance on one test, despite having done so at the expense of more mistakes and lower accuracy. More interestingly, binge drinkers took three seconds longer than non-binge drinkers to inhibit an inadequate response, which is worrisome in the context of traffic. Overall, the deleterious effect of BD on performance remained after controlling for the effects of confounding variables in regression logistic models. CONCLUSIONS: As the use of alcohol among truck drivers may be as a way to get by with their work conditions, we believe that a negotiation between their work organization and public authorities would reduce such use, preventing negative interferences on truck drivers' cognitive functioning, which by its turn may also prevent traffic accidents.

[Alcohol use alone and in combination with other drugs among truck drivers on highways in São Paulo State, Brazil: a cross-sectional study]. / Uso exclusivo de álcool e em associação a outras drogas entre motoristas de caminhão que trafegam por rodovias do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: um estudo transversal.

Traffic accidents cause more than a million deaths per year worldwide. Brazil is one of the leading countries in traffic accidents. Since alcohol is a known etiological factor for traffic accidents, the pattern of alcohol use alone and in combination with other drugs was assessed in a convenience sample of 684 truck drivers in São Paulo State, Brazil. 67.3% of participants reported alcohol use in the previous 30 days, 34.6% reported heavy drinking, 26% binge drinking, and 9.2% were at risk of developing alcohol addiction. Furthermore, 54.6% reported multiple drug use, mostly alcohol with tobacco and energy drinks. Truck drivers that reported multiple drug use showed heavier alcohol use than those who consumed only alcohol. Drinking and driving is problematic and can be aggravated by multiple drug use. The authors thus suggest monitoring the issue, which creates serious problems for users and society as a whole.

Uso exclusivo de álcool e em associação a outras drogas entre motoristas de caminhão que trafegam por rodovias do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: um estudo transversal / Alcohol use alone and in combination with other drugs among truck drivers on highways in São Paulo State, Brazil: a cross-sectional study / Consumo exclusivo del alcohol, en combinación con otras drogas, entre los conductores que transitan por las carreteras del Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: un estudio transversal

Os acidentes de trânsito têm causado mais de um milhão de mortes no mundo. O Brasil é um dos países recordistas quanto a esse indicador. Como o consumo de álcool é fator etiológico para o acontecimento de acidentes de trânsito, buscou-se estimar o padrão de uso de álcool e o uso múltiplo de álcool e outras drogas em uma amostra de conveniência de 684 motoristas de caminhão no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Observou-se que, nos trinta dias prévios à entrevista, 67,3% dos participantes usaram álcool, 34,6% de forma pesada, 26% como binge drinking e 9,2% estavam sob o risco de desenvolver dependência. Ainda, 54,6% deles relataram o uso múltiplo de álcool e outras drogas, tendo usado álcool predominantemente com tabaco e energéticos. Os participantes que relataram uso múltiplo de álcool e outras drogas apresentaram consumo mais pesado de álcool em relação àqueles que ingeriram apenas álcool. Em linhas gerais, o uso de drogas é um problema no contexto de trânsito e pode piorar sob a condição de uso múltiplo de álcool e outras drogas. Assim, os autores sugerem a vigilância do tema, dado que esse quadro gera, potencialmente, não só sérios problemas à saúde do usuário, mas também à sociedade como um todo.

Traffic accidents cause more than a million deaths per year worldwide. Brazil is one of the leading countries in traffic accidents. Since alcohol is a known etiological factor for traffic accidents, the pattern of alcohol use alone and in combination with other drugs was assessed in a convenience sample of 684 truck drivers in São Paulo State, Brazil. 67.3% of participants reported alcohol use in the previous 30 days, 34.6% reported heavy drinking, 26% binge drinking, and 9.2% were at risk of developing alcohol addiction. Furthermore, 54.6% reported multiple drug use, mostly alcohol with tobacco and energy drinks. Truck drivers that reported multiple drug use showed heavier alcohol use than those who consumed only alcohol. Drinking and driving is problematic and can be aggravated by multiple drug use. The authors thus suggest monitoring the issue, which creates serious problems for users and society as a whole.

Los accidentes de tráfico han causado más de un millón de muertes en todo mundo. Brasil tiene una de las tasas más altas de ese indicador. En este trabajo se intentó estimar cómo el consumo de alcohol es un factor etiológico para los accidentes de tráfico. Se analizó el patrón de consumo de alcohol y su asociación con otras drogas en una muestra de conveniencia de 684 conductores de camiones en el Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Treinta días previos a la entrevista, un 67,3% de los participantes consumieron alcohol, un 34,6% de forma abusiva, un 26% como binge drinking y un 9,3% estaban bajo riesgo de generar una adicción. De ellos, un 54,6% presentaron policonsumo de drogas, frecuentemente alcohol y tabaco o bebidas energéticas. Los participantes que presentaron un policonsumo de alcohol y otras drogas mostraron un consumo de alcohol más abusivo que los que informaron sobre un consumo exclusivo de alcohol. En general, el consumo de alcohol es un problema, teniendo en cuenta el contexto del tráfico y puede empeorar aún más con el policonsumo. Por lo tanto, los autores sugieren el control de esta cuestión, ya que tal consumo genera problemas potencialmente graves para la salud del consumidor, así como de la sociedad que le circunda.