Why is Alcohol Harm an Important Issue?

 The World Health Organisation separates alcohol use disorders into three categories:

•    Hazardous drinking:  people drinking above ‘sensible’ levels but not yet experiencing harm.
•    Hazardous drinking:  people drinking above ‘sensible levels and experiencing harm.
•    Alcohol dependence: people drinking above ‘sensible’ levels and experiencing harm and symptoms of dependence.

 These categories can be used when assessing the level of need in a population as well as when assessing the gap between need and the provision of appropriate services.  It is also important to consider the various ‘social harms’ that may be consequences of any of the above categories of alcohol use, including violence, domestic abuse, road accidents incurred from drink-driving and the consequences of unprotected sex, including teenage pregnancy.

Identification, Education, Treatment and Support:

Education in this context is not just about schools, it is about ‘everyone’ being educated in responsible alcohol use and its risks. Information and Education must be given in a clear understandable way. There is a need to gather, collate and action accurate multi agency data, for example on best practice, where alcohol related

violent crime is happening and new research. All education and information needs to be communicated effectively, ensuring a joined up approach - all agencies/partners sharing information and acting appropriately on it.

 The need to get the alcohol message understood poses many challenges and different messages maybe required for different areas of the population; for example carers, young people, parental responsibility, older people etc.

The ‘message’ itself has become blurred. The governments ‘Safe drinking’

message was changed in 1995 from a weekly to a daily limit in recognition of the harm of binge drinking. It currently stands at:

•     2 - 3 units per day for women

•     3 - 4 units per day for men

With a recommended 48 alcohol free hours following heavy drinking.

The reality of this message is more complex.

What is a unit? How much is a swig? Is 2 drinks ok? For example 2 x 175ml glasses of 12% wine = 4.2units therefore above recommended consumption for a female.

National Alcohol Harm Reduction Survey shows that only 25% of the population know what a ‘unit’ is.

The ‘message’ is provided at various outlets but there is an overall lack of a targeted approach and clarity around the key messages provided, plus gaps in the opportunities taken to inform people of the safer drinking message.  A consistent public health message on the risks associated with alcohol use including sexual health, obesity plus heightened risk taking needs to be communicated alongside alcohol information.

Statistics show that young people who regularly combine drinking and sexual activity are seven times less likely to use a condom– increasing risks of both teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.  Developmental opportunities for informing on safer drinking exist within primary and secondary care settings for example 70% of the population visiting their GP at least once a year.

Older people pose a more hidden issue which needs exploring further in light of an ageing population.  Issues relating to falls (both in the home and residential care) and the relevance of alcohol intake is felt to be an issue. Assessing this and providing information to all involved must be considered.