UB's Research Institute on Addictions will be hosting a four-part series on alcohol and alcohol addiction beginning on March 4 and continuing throughout the spring at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
The opening presentation will be held by Kenneth Leonard, Ph.D., a senior research scientist at the Research Institute on Addictions and vice chair for research in the department of psychiatry at UB. Leonard's presentation is entitled "The Social Environment and Adult Alcohol Use: How Drinking Shapes and is Shaped by Friends and Family Relationships."
It is believed that drinking alcohol as a couple is often part of a shared social activity that can have a positive effect on a relationship. On the other hand, drinking can be a source of conflict when one member of the couple drinks much more than the other, or when the two partners drink apart from one another.
"Generally, drinking five or more drinks in one evening for men, or four or more for women, is considered to have the potential to create problems," Leonard said.
In addition, excessive drinking can intensify any couple's conflict.
According to Leonard, average college students should be aware about the effects of alcohol and alcoholism. The two most serious behaviors that put college students at risk are obvious.
"The first is drinking and driving," Leonard said. "Although they often do not recognize it, even relatively moderate amounts of alcohol impair driving ability. Avoiding drinking and driving usually requires some planning beforehand, and students do not always do that planning."
Leonard also points out the danger of drinking very large amounts of high-proof beverages. This can also occur with beer or wine, particularly if a lot is consumed over a short period of time. In addition to these behaviors, there are other patterns of alcohol use that can have an adverse impact on relationships and school or work achievement.
"While it is common for college students to drink this much on occasion, doing so every weekend is of greater concern," Leonard said. "Drinking this much during the week when there are classes the next day is of even greater concern."
These patterns of drinking not only increase the likelihood of experiencing adverse events because of intoxication, but the social and physical impact can last even longer, and these patterns can increase the likelihood of developing long-term problems, according to Leonard.
The other three seminars will be held on April 1, April 15, and May 20 on the first floor of the Research Institute on Addictions at 1021 Main St.
Mark Muraven, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology and area head of the doctoral program at the University at Albany's department of social-personality psychology, will be hosting the April 1 seminar, titled "Improving Self-Control."
On April 15, J. Scott Tonigan, Ph.D., a research professor in the University of New Mexico's department of psychology, will hold a lecture called, "The Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous: What Research Does and Does Not Tell Us."
The closing seminar, "Cue Reactivity, Reduced Response to Alcohol and Mechanisms of Person-Environment Vulnerability," will be presented on May 20 by Marsha E. Bates, Ph.D,, research professor of psychology at Rutgers University's center of alcohol Studies and director of its cognitive neuroscience laboratory.
Each seminar begins at 10 a.m. They are free and open to the public but are especially geared toward researchers, clinicians and policymakers.
"College students are certainly welcome to attend," said Kimberly S. Walitzer, Ph.D., deputy director at the Research Institute on Addictions. "Several of the upcoming topics such as family and friend relationships, self-control, and AA may be of interest to college students."
The Research Institute on Addictions was established in 1970 as a component of the New York State Division of Research of the Department of Mental Hygiene. The purpose and goal is to address all aspects of alcoholism by researching the use and abuse of alcohol, including causes, treatments, and prevention.
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