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In a new study published in the  American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse  by researchers at New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research ( CDUHR ), lead researcher Joseph J. Palamar, PhD, MPH and his team sought to describe differences in self-reporting of nonmedical opioid use among high school seniors, who were asked about both general nonmedical opioid use and also specifically about nonmedical Vicodin and OxyContin use. The data was drawn from the Monitoring the Future ( MTF ) survey, a nationwide ongoing annual study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students. The MTF survey is administered in approximately 130 public and private schools throughout 48 states in the US. Roughly 15,000 high school seniors are assessed annually. The results were not always clear-cut. "If someone checks off that they haven't used opioids you'd expect them to check off 'no' to nonmedical use of Vicodin and OxyContin l...

"Drunkorexia refers to a complex pattern of drinking-related behaviors that take place before, during, and after a drinking event," explained Dipali V. Rinker, a research assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Houston. "College students appear to engage in these behaviors to increase alcohol effects or reduce alcohol-related calories by engaging in bulimic-type or diet/exercising/calorie/restricted eating behaviors." Rinker will present this research at the 39th Annual Research Society on Alcoholism in New Orleans June 25-29, 2016. Rinker said there are a number of consequences. "Potential outcomes may include less inhibition that could lead to more negative alcohol-related consequences," she said. "Additionally, restricting caloric intake to those from alcohol could lead to vitamin depletion, as it may keep the individual from eating more nutrient-dense foods." Rinker said her research is designed to flesh...