Preliminary evidence of increased alcohol use associated with ethinyl estradiol levels in women using oral contraceptives.

Alcohol use is highly prevalent in young adult women and rates of alcohol use disorder are rising rapidly in this population. Further, emerging evidence suggests that circulating levels of ovarian hormones influence alcohol consumption, with increased consumption associated with higher estradiol and lower progesterone levels. However, less is known about the influence of synthetic hormones (contained in oral contraceptive (OC) pills) on alcohol use.

The importance of translationally evaluating steroid hormone contributions to substance use.

Clinically, women appear to be more susceptible to certain aspects of substance use disorders (SUDs). The steroid hormones 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (Pg) have been linked to women-specific drug behaviors. Here, we review clinical and preclinical studies investigating how cycling ovarian hormones affect nicotine-, cocaine-, and opioid-related behaviors.

Alcohol use, sleep, and depression among family caregivers in the time of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially altered daily life around the world, resulting in significant impacts on health behaviors. The additional burdens imposed by family caregiving (i.e.