News and media updates: alcohol-related dementia, school exclusions and brief interventions

Report predicts silent epidemic of alcohol-related dementia approaching

An article in the November British Journal of Psychiatry has warned of a 'silent epidemic' of alcohol-related dementia due to increasing consumption of alcohol in the UK. The report also says the relative price of alcohol has halved since the 1960s whilst in more recent years consumption has doubled. A BBC article can be found here.

A press release by accessibility.com says previous research had shown that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to loss of brain tissue, and that binge drinking is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Given the neurotoxic effects of alcohol - and the seemingly inexorable rise in heavy drinking - the authors of the paper conclude that we are likely to see a surge in cases of alcohol-related dementia in future generations.

Alcohol responsible for school exclusions

A Guardian article has pointed a damning finger at the levels of exclusions and young people's crime related to alcohol, as well as high levels of under age sales. The article is based on findings from a report ordered by Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats and says that in 2006 more than 500,000 under-18s were served alcohol in bars and more than 350,000 bought alcohol in shops. However, the role of alcohol in exclusions is not clear; only joint figures with drug related exclusions are provided.  'According to an analysis of school exclusions placed in the parliamentary library over the summer recess by the Department for Schools, Children and Families, 2,000 pupils were permanently excluded and 40,000 temporarily excluded for drug and alcohol-related incidents during the past four years.'

Brief interventions most efficient when...brief!

A Scottish study has strengthened the argument that extended interventions may not be more effective than simple brief advice and information, a Drug and Alcohol Findings bulletin reports. The study supports indications that providing simple advice and supporting written information is the most effective way to reduce hazardous and harmful drinking levels, as has been earlier suggested by a range of findings and reviews including the Review of the effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems.