Alcohol Policy UK

'Addicted to Recovery?' New Directions 2015 FEAD videos

A series of videos covering expert presentations on the theme of addiction, recovery and other key topics are now available from the Film Exchange on Alcohol and Drugs (FEAD).

The speakers were filmed at the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group (NDSAG) 2015 conference held in London earlier this year.

The first conference day explored the theme 'Addicted to recovery?', taking a critical look at addiction theory through research, policy and treatment discourses. See presentations inlcuding:

• Marc Lewis on Brain development, not brain disease: implications for empowerment in recovery

• Dora Duka on Brain mechanisms of behavioural changes promoting relapse in alcohol dependant individuals

An end to falling UK consumption?

NHS Scotland's latest report on alcohol sales data indicates an end to the downward trend in alcohol consumption. It suggests the trend is now 'flattening' in Scotland, with similar patterns in England and Wales.

The report analyses alcohol sales using specialist market research data and price band analyses. It suggests that 'off-trade sales may be returning to an upward trend', with a continuing shift in the share of alcohol being sold through off-sales. 72% of alcohol in Scotland is now sold by supermarkets and off-licenses, at an average price of 52 pence per unit (ppu) versus £1.66 ppu for the on-trade.

Scotland's alcohol consumption also remains significantly higher than the rest of the UK, with the 18% difference in sales almost wholly made up by off-trade units, particularly lower priced vodka.

Stronger alcohol policy needed to protect ambulance staff, says Balance

Almost half of North East paramedics have been subjected to alcohol-fuelled physical assaults whilst on duty, according to Balance North East.

The regional alcohol group conducted a survey with more than 350 paramedics working for the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS). Two in five of the paramedics surveyed have been sexually assaulted or harassed by drunk patients and members of the public.

Results from the survey also found:

More evidence on moderate drinking and cancer risk

Further attention to the issue of alcohol and cancer risk has been prompted by a new study published in the BMJ. The study confirms that even light to moderate alcohol use can increase the risk of particular cancers.

The risks however are significantly affected by other factors, such as smoking history or sex. For men who have never smoked, risk of alcohol related cancers was 'not appreciably increased' by moderate drinking. However for women, the risk of alcohol related cancers - in particular breast cancer - increases when just drinking one alcoholic drink a day even when having never smoked.

Welsh Assembly Committee report focuses on alcohol action

The National Assembly for Wales’ Health and Social Care Committee has undertaken an inquiry into alcohol and substance misuse, publishing a report which recommends a range of alcohol actions.

Download 'National Assembly for Wales Health and Social Care Committee: Alcohol and substance misuse' [pdf]

The Assembly says greater awareness, support and policy level action is needed as the prevalence of alcohol-related conditions is rising. The committee set out to review the impacts of alcohol and substance misuse on people in Wales, but found alcohol as the most significant issue.

Can local action prevent sales to drunks? CPH reports review impact

Two evaluation reports of projects attempting to reduce sales to drunks and associated problems have been released by the Centre for Public Health (CPH).

Know the Score 

An Evaluation of the South Wales Know the Score Intervention [pdf] was a pilot which aimed to increase bar staff and public awareness of the law on sales to drunk persons, and promote responsible drinking behaviours in nightlife environments.

The project was developed by South Wales Police which included: a social marketing campaign; radio broadcasts; intervention materials promoting the campaign; enhanced police enforcement; and promotion of the materials by agencies and its #drinklessenjoymore strap-line.

Recent Findings bulletins: real world pricing, IBA cost benefit, prevention & treatment

Recent bulletins from the drug and alcohol bank:

Alcohol taxes fall, deaths rise in Finland

Simulations predicting what might happen are the main indications in the UK of how alcohol price and tax changes will affect health, but from Finland we have evidence that how heavily alcohol is taxed really does affect alcohol-related deaths.

IBA and prevention Findings

Alcohol brief interventions seem bargain for England

Implications of this simulation study for England are that health planners would be irrational not to get GP practices to screen every adult patient for hazardous drinking the next time they visit; it would slash future health spending while improving health – but how solidly founded are the assumptions built in to the calculations?

Learning by example transforms doctors’ recognition of problem drinking

News & updates July 2015: floozing, Evelyn Gillan tributes, boozing whilst pregnant, cocktail clouds

Selected July media stories since the June roundup:

Alcohol-related crime & disorder

Alcohol-fuelled air rage incidents are up 40% from last year... proving a 'floozing' phenomenon is on the rise, said the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile Ryanair has banned passengers from bringing duty free alcohol onto its flights between the UK and Ibiza in an effort to reduce incidences of rowdy behaviour. Telegraph

Just 42 drinkers were responsible for more than 1,000 police call-outs in Portsmouth - ranging from anti-social behaviour to sexual assaults and robberies - as the council defends its Reducing the Strength initiative. The News

Health news

Review into drug and alcohol addiction on employment: DWP call for evidence

A review into the effects of drug and alcohol dependency on employment outcomes has been released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The review includes a 'call for evidence' into treatments or programmes that work, and experiences of service providers and users. The Government believes that not enough is being done to ensure people get medical help for what it describes as 'long-term, treatable issues', also including obesity.

Recovery Partnership Review of Alcohol Treatment Services

A review of alcohol treatment in England has been released, highlighting key issues and themes facing the sector. The report, based on extensive stakeholder consultation, was undertaken by Alcohol Concern on behalf of the Recovery Partnership.

Download The Recovery Partnership Review of Alcohol Treatment Services [pdf]

Key themes identified within the report are:

• The enthusiasm of the alcohol field for being involved in a debate about its future;
• The gap in meeting the needs of people with 'dual diagnosis';
• Managing change resistant drinkers with chaotic patterns of behaviour;
• The problems being experienced in the residential rehabilitation sector.