The current edition of Drink and Drugs News (DDN), the free substance misuse publication, includes a feature which explores how recession can affect alcohol and drug use.
The article outlines a talk from Rosalie Liccardo Pacula who described a nuanced relationship between alcohol consumption and economic fluctuations. Based on work from an American economist Chris Ruhm, analysis has shown that economic downturns affect light and heavy drinking very differently. Heavy drinking is shown to be 'pro-cyclical' to the economy - that is when the econonmy is suffering, heavy drinking declines.
Lighter or more moderate drinking however is less affected or is even counter-cyclical. The reason? Lighter drinkers spend far less money on alcohol so alcohol expenditure is less affected by a squeeze. Heavier drinkers however spend a larger proportion of their income on alcohol and are therefore more likely to need to cut back to afford other essentials such as food or clothing.
Don Shenker had stated earlier this year that it was "very likely that alcohol consumption will rise again once the economy picks up", responding to news of a slight fall in alcohol-related deaths.
Other recent DDN alcohol features include:
- Is the alcohol industry using social media to flout marketing guidelines? Alcohol Concern thinks so in recent report, a claim refuted by the industry, writes DDN and finds out what the regulators think.
- Speaking with the enemy? To get anywhere with harm reduction relating to alcohol and tobacco we should be working with the industry instead of vilifying it, says Prof Gerry Stimson
- Always ask about Alcohol (2nd page), says Dr Chris Ford who uses a powerful case study to highlight how often alcohol misuse can be overlooked by professionals
Comments