Trends and Consequences of Excess Alcohol Consumption in the UK

Question 1

How many units should people have

Answer 1

No more than 14 units a week for men and women

Question 2

How many days should people spread their units over

Answer 2

3 or more days

Question 3

Should people have any alcohol free days?

Answer 3

Yes! At least 2 a week

Question 4

When should you avoid alcohol

Answer 4

If pregnant or trying to conceive

Question 5

How many pints of beer at 4% make up 14 units

Answer 5

6 pints (568ml)

Question 6

How many glasses of 13% wine make up 14 units

Answer 6

6 glasses (175ml)

Question 7

How many shots of 40% spirits make up 14 units

Answer 7

14 shots (25ml)

Question 8

What are the impacts of alcohol

Answer 8

40% adults drink too much. 24% binge drink. 1:10 teenagers drink more than 1/week

Question 9

What are associated conditions with drinking

Answer 9

Cancers, Cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, GI diseases, Neuropsychiatric disorders, Injury (un/intentional), Cirrhosis, Fatty liver disease, Foetal alcohol syndrome

Question 10

What are the trends of alcohol

Answer 10

Approx 1,500 alcohol related deaths annually (Wales). 25% of deaths wholly attributable to alcohol. X3 fold increase in use of ITU beds. Average age at death - 59 years and falling

Question 11

Describe the role of inequality in alcohol use

Answer 11

Rates rising in both most and least deprived areas. Wholly attributable conditions (mainly mental & behavioural disorders) highest in most deprived areas. Cancer, CVD & unintentional injuries highest in least deprived areas

Question 12

What are the NHS costs of alcohol

Answer 12

Alcohol treatment centre.
Admissions usually ill , not just the party going drunks. Wales- £70-85m per year treating alcohol related health problems

Question 13

What support is available for patients

Answer 13

Advice and information, brief interventions (Tier 1). Self-help groups (Tier 2). Care planning counselling (Tier 3). Structured day programmes (Tier 3). Community detoxification (Tier 3). Inpatient treatment (Tier 4). Residential rehabilitation services (Tier 4)

Question 14

Consumption, affordability and availability of alcohol

Answer 14

Alcohol was 61% more affordable in 2012 than in 1980. UK spent £42 billion on alcohol in 2010. Drivers of consumption: price of alcohol, disposable income, 24 hour availability, sold ‘everywhere’

Question 15

Describe price of alcohol

Answer 15

Promotions, supermarket discounting, loss leaders, taxation. 50p minimum price results in 1400 fewer hospital admissions per year and 53 fewer deaths per year.

Question 16

Harm reduction associated with alcohol

Answer 16

Education and skills development, screening and brief intervention, licensing, age restriction, price per unit, safe night time economy, drink driving, alcohol in the workplace policies

Question 17

Describe the licencing of alcohol

Answer 17

Prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, protection of children from harm

Question 18

Describe age restrictions of alcohol

Answer 18

Illegal under 18, proof of age, test purchasing

Question 19

What are the elements of brief intervention

Answer 19

FRAMES:
Feedback about risks of substance use Responsibility placed on client to change Advice to cut down / abstain etc. Menu of options and choices Empathic approach Self-efficacy: using a nonconfrontational counselling style which encourages & reinforces client’s strengths

Question 20

Describe the screening of alcohol

Answer 20

Ask, advise, act

Question 21

How do you ask about alcohol

Answer 21

Help them calculate their intake. Keep within limits (no more than 14 units per week; ≥2 alcohol free days/wk). Benefits of reducing intake. Swap usual drink for: smaller drink, lower strength drink, soft drink, only drink with a meal

Question 22

How do you advice about alcohol

Answer 22

Signpost to www.change4lifewales.org.uk Offer alcohol brief intervention (if trained)

Question 23

What is the night time economy associated with alcohol

Answer 23

Violence, accidental injury, emergency healthcare, unintended unsafe sex, sexual assault, transport and road safety, pub watch, street pastors, police patrols, taxi officers, ATC, licencing, CCTV, plastic glasses

Question 24

How can we change our (UK) relationship with alcohol

Answer 24

Our culture, advertising and sponsorship, mass media campaigns

Question 25

Describe how alcohol is a modern day public health issue

Answer 25

A social issue, a health issue, often a lifestyle choice, morbidity and mortality increasing, high cost (social, NHS, taxpayer). We can change things but do we want to?