American Society of Addiction Medicine

This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM

American Society of Addiction Medicine

  • Lead: Measures of General Intelligence and Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder

Lead: Measures of General Intelligence and Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder

Tuesday 14th October 2025

Explore how IQ impacts alcohol use disorder risk in this eye-opening episode of 'This Week in Addiction Medicine'.
7 minutes
Informative
Eye-opening
Educational
Thought-provoking
Engaging

About this podcast

This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM
Author:
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Family Recovery from Addiction
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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The Surprising Link Between Intelligence and Alcohol Use Disorder

Episode Overview

  • Higher IQ at age 18 is linked to lower risk of alcohol use disorder.
  • Genetic factors influencing cognitive performance can predict addiction.
  • Tobacco retail exposure increases smoking cravings and consumption.
  • Opioid mortality is higher in regions with better socioeconomic status.
  • Barriers to opioid therapy in pregnant women include stigma and logistical issues.
"IQ at age 18 years was associated with subsequent alcohol use disorder risk."
Ever wondered how intelligence might play a role in the risk for alcohol use disorder? This episode of 'This Week in Addiction Medicine' explores an intriguing study from JAMA Psychiatry that examines the link between IQ and alcohol use disorder. With a massive cohort of 573,855 Swedish males, the study found a significant association between IQ at age 18 and the risk of developing alcohol use disorder later in life.
What's more, genetic factors influencing cognitive performance also seemed to predict alcohol use disorder in a US-based sample, suggesting a complex interplay between intelligence and addiction. But that's not all! The episode also dives into various studies, including one on the impact of tobacco retail exposure on smoking habits and another on the socioeconomic disparities in opioid use disorder mortality.
From analysing the costs of evidence-based practices to reduce opioid overdose fatalities to exploring barriers to opioid replacement therapy in pregnant women, this episode covers a lot of ground. With host Zach Caruso at the helm, you'll gain insights into how these findings could shape future public health policies and addiction treatment approaches. It's a thought-provoking episode that challenges us to consider the broader implications of these studies. So, what do these findings mean for you or someone you know?
Tune in to explore the fascinating connections between intelligence, genetics, and addiction.
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