Youth involved in bullying—whether bullies or the victims—are more likely to abuse alcohol, according to a new study from the University of Cincinnati. The study involved more than 54,000 junior high and high school students in the Cincinnati area; researchers found that about 38 percent of them had been involved in some sort of bullying incident, ranging from verbal abuse to an all-out physical assault with a weapon. Bullying victims were one-and-a-half times more likely to have abused alcohol, and bullies were also more prone to alcohol abuse. Some might suggest bullying episodes may be directly influenced by drink, given that folks tend to get more belligerent when they imbibe; but researchers say the links go deeper. “We believe the alcohol abuse may often be an effort to escape problems and to self-medicate,” says Keith King, a University of Cincinnati professor of health promotion. (Medical XPress)