The Testosterone-Cortisol Model as a Way to Understand the Mechanism of Alcohol Dependence Which Started in Puberty

Abstract

The aim: Is to analyze the role of testosterone and cortisol in the mechanism of alcohol use disorders formation for further development of early diagnosis and prevention methods. Materials and methods: 155 adolescents at the preclinical stages of alcohol use disorders formation and 87 young patients with diagnosed alcohol dependence were studied by enzyme-linked immunoassay techniques. Results: The analysis of the obtained materials shows that the onset of search behaviors on alcohol consumption, frequency and alcohol abuse in adolescents occur with the participation of age-related processes of somatic puberty and the related syndromes of hormonal tension. The phasing of development and course of alcoholic disease includes pubertal age and alcohol-induced changes in the internal environment of the body. There is an increase in the concentration of testosterone and cortisol that initiates interest in alcohol first, and then under the influence of its toxic effect, the level of these hormones decreases. It should be borne in mind that significant differences in hormone concentrations were observed within the regulatory framework. Conclusions: An increase of testosterone and cortisol levels in puberty, combined with regular consumption of alcohol, may indicate a risk of addiction early. Further decrease of the levels of these hormones along with an increase of the frequency of alcohol consumption may be an early diagnostic feature of the alcohol use disorders.