The Influences of Impulsivity and Education Levels on Severity of Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

Background: Impulsivity contributes to the severity of alcohol use disorder. The association is affected by expectation towards alcohol use, emotional regulation and self-control. Here we investigated the influences of self-reported impulsivity and levels of education on severity of alcohol dependence. Method: We retrospectively analyzed the basic demographic information, alcohol consumption state, education years, depression and anxiety state, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and Barrett Impulsivity Scales (BIS) from a group of 66 AUD patients. Result: Impulsivity significantly predicted alcohol dependence severity (R 2 = 0.069, F = 4.724, p = 0.034). In addition, education years served as a moderator in the relationship between impulsivity and alcohol dependence severity (DR 2 = 0.059, F = 4.414, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Self-reported impulsivity affects the severity of alcohol dependence, which might be different in patients with different education levels.

Driving license regranting: Hair EtG, serum CDT, and the role of sociodemographic and medicolegal variables

“…Education can indeed influence personal knowledge, skills, motivation, self-esteem, self-control, and executive function, thus affecting alcohol and drug dependence. 55 Similarly to our results, Rosoff et al 56 concluded that genetic factors associated with a higher education level were associated with reductions in binge drinking, the amount of alcohol consumed per occasion, and the risk of alcohol dependence. However, these findings seem partially inconsistent with the association between higher education level and quantity and type of alcohol intake (or hEtG concentration) described in other articles.…”

“…The results of this study also highlight that a higher grade of education, in particular completion of a degree, was most frequently observed in subjects with EtG concentrations in hair lower than 30 pg/mg, suggesting a potential relationship between lower educational attainment and excessive alcohol intake. Education can indeed influence personal knowledge, skills, motivation, self‐esteem, self‐control, and executive function, thus affecting alcohol and drug dependence 55 . Similarly to our results, Rosoff et al 56 concluded that genetic factors associated with a higher education level were associated with reductions in binge drinking, the amount of alcohol consumed per occasion, and the risk of alcohol dependence.…”

“…Different patterns of alcohol consumption in well-educated subjects have been described: consuming high amounts of alcohol during meals, especially wine, 56,57 or drinking alcoholic beverages outside meals mainly to release social pressure. 55 The observed discrepancies could depend on different drinking patterns of European and non-European countries, as well as on differences among the populations examined. Our study exclusively considered a selected population group (i.e., alcoholrelated DUI offenders), whose academic performance has been described as significantly worse in comparison with that of the general population.…”

“…For example, in a study by Zhou et al, 57 subjects with advanced education levels were observed to drink alcohol more frequently and in greater amounts. Different patterns of alcohol consumption in well‐educated subjects have been described: consuming high amounts of alcohol during meals, especially wine, 56,57 or drinking alcoholic beverages outside meals mainly to release social pressure 55 . The observed discrepancies could depend on different drinking patterns of European and non‐European countries, as well as on differences among the populations examined.…”

The factor structure of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and correlates of impulsivity among outpatients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in Singapore

“…Those who had indicated that they never consumed alcoholic drinks or drank less than 12 drinks per year were directed to skip the four CAGE questions, and were classified as having “no drinking problems.” Respondents who had scored two or greater (i.e., endorsing at least two of the four items of the CAGE questionnaire) were classified as having “problematic alcohol use.” The CAGE questionnaire demonstrated moderate to high sensitivity and specificity against a criterion of alcohol abuse and dependence [ 38 ] and has been validated in studies amongst older adults in Singapore [ 39 , 40 ]. Alcohol use disorder has been associated with high levels of impulsivity [ 41 , 42 ]. CAGE was used in the current study to assess problematic alcohol use in the sample and its association with BIS-11.…”