Alcohol hangover: a critical review of explanatory factors.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Alcohol hangover: a critical review of explanatory factors.
Authors:	Prat, Gemma, Adan, Ana, Sánchez-Turety, Miquel
Source:	Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental. Jun2009, Vol. 24 Issue 4, p259-267. 9p. 1 Chart.
Subjects:	Physiological effects of alcohol, Alcoholism, Alcohol & young adults, Job absenteeism, Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Abstract:	Objective To describe the hangover phenomenon and briefly review its main explanatory factors. Design Bibliographic research on main databases (Medline and Psychinfo). Results Alcohol hangover is characterized by adverse physical and mental effects that occur the next morning after the intake of toxic doses of alcohol. This phenomenon is a very frequent experience among alcohol-consuming people and it has been associated to high socio-economic costs, mainly due to absenteeism and poor performance in academic and work settings. Multiple theories exist to explain the appearance and severity of hangover, such as direct or indirect effects of alcohol, alcohol withdrawal, and toxic effects of alcoholic beverage congeners or of alcohol metabolites. In addition, a number of intervening factors have been identified, such as vulnerability to alcohol dependence or psychological factors. Conclusions Although several studies analyze and describe hangover, it is still poorly understood. Further well-designed studies with a unitary methodology and clear operational criteria to define hangover are necessary in order to clarify such a phenomenon. We suggest some future working ideas that should be pursued in order to address the current shortcomings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Objective To describe the hangover phenomenon and briefly review its main explanatory factors. Design Bibliographic research on main databases (Medline and Psychinfo). Results Alcohol hangover is characterized by adverse physical and mental effects that occur the next morning after the intake of toxic doses of alcohol. This phenomenon is a very frequent experience among alcohol-consuming people and it has been associated to high socio-economic costs, mainly due to absenteeism and poor performance in academic and work settings. Multiple theories exist to explain the appearance and severity of hangover, such as direct or indirect effects of alcohol, alcohol withdrawal, and toxic effects of alcoholic beverage congeners or of alcohol metabolites. In addition, a number of intervening factors have been identified, such as vulnerability to alcohol dependence or psychological factors. Conclusions Although several studies analyze and describe hangover, it is still poorly understood. Further well-designed studies with a unitary methodology and clear operational criteria to define hangover are necessary in order to clarify such a phenomenon. We suggest some future working ideas that should be pursued in order to address the current shortcomings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	08856222
DOI:	10.1002/hup.1023