Selected media stories since the September update:
News reports on the decline in young people's drinking were widespread following a new report to launch a new Sheffield research project. Almost a third of 16 to 24-year-olds in 2015 said they didn't drink, compared with around one in five in 2005, reported the BBC and. The Telegraph reported "getting drunk is no longer cool" and the BBC released a short video suggesting health-conscious ways of socialising are displacing drinking occasions. An NHS 'behind the headlines' review said the reasons behind the decline are not really known, whilst 28% of young people still reported drinking above adult recommended levels on at least 1 day in the week and the lack of change in drinking habits among young people who smoked was also notable.
How common are alcohol-induced blackouts, asks the BBC. It says 'blackouts' are when our brain fails to record memories of events that take place while we're drinking, triggered when an individual's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises quickly and reaches a high level. Anywhere from 30% to 50% of young adults who drink do report some experience with an alcohol-related blackout, according to Dr Kate Carey, professor of behavioural and social sciences at Brown University.
A university student died from the "toxic effects" of drinking excessive alcohol, a coroner has ruled, reports the BBC. Newcastle University's Ed Farmer died in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest in December 2016 following an "initiation-style" bar craw. The group had ordered about 100 triple vodkas in one bar and Mr Farmer was later carried to a student house, the inquest at Newcastle Civic Centre heard.
Cuts to public health budgets and the impact on services has prompted an article on why rehabs are closing down in the Guardian. Reporting on closures in Bristol, Consultant psychiatrist Jan Melichar, says the closure of its last centre is a disaster for the city, which has lost nine other residential facilities since 2010. “Councils won’t refer to residential [treatment] because it costs more money, so they ignore the people with the worst problems. Those people drop out of treatment and end up in prison where we spend £50,000 a year on them – a brilliant piece of false economy,” he said.
Budget 2018: politics and campaigns
In the run up to the 2018 budget, various news reports covered the range of calls on the Chancellor. Calls for a 'treatment levy' argued a specific tax should be adopted on alcohol duties to help deal with the shortfall in treatment services, MPs and health groups said as reported by ITV. Dr Richard Piper, of Alcohol Research UK/Alcohol Concern, said imposing a levy of 1% above RPI would be equivalent to an extra 3p on an average pint of beer, and would raise £100 million a year to improve services and cut costs to the NHS by up to £300 million per year. Bottles of wine should carry a 5p levy to pay for the treatment of 'alcoholics and problem drinkers' said the Mail.
The Guardian also reported on the 'battle raging over the price of a pint, pitting 'experts on alcohol harm reduction' against those behind a £9m campaign by the major brewers and pub chains calling on the government to cut beer duty. The campaign generated more than 100,000 signatures and 40,000 emailed their MP, but claims alcohol duty cuts help pubs have been challenged by alcohol groups. “Beer duty has fallen 16% in real terms since 2012, yet pubs still close. All that happens is that supermarkets can pass on the cuts to their customers while publicans can’t. It makes it harder for pubs to compete”, said Colin Shevills, director of Balance North East. See APUK 2018 budget analysis.
Health and research
Seven ways to cut back on alcohol were offered by the Guardian, attempting to help those attempting 'Sober for October'. Top tips include finding a team mate, building in rewards, considering underlying reasons for drinking and measuring what you do drink. Tips on how to avoid booze by travelling around the world were offered by the Telegraph.
Is it worth giving up alcohol for a month, asked the BBC. Participants of a month off may benefit from less snoring, better sleep, and increased energy. As well as some reported studies, BBC's Trust Me I'm a Doctor tested a small group - all those who gave up alcohol improved - liver fat and overall weight fell, and their quality of sleep and concentration improved.
Alcohol-free beers were tried and tested in a Telegraph article, exploring a range below 0.5%, "from hoppy ales to chocolatey stouts, which can help you through the month". Big Drop stout (0.5%) "a strong chocolatey, creamy, rich texture" was given 10/10, with Adnam's Ghost Ship (0.05%) a close second; "Very fruity and zingy, with strong citrus hints. Tastes just like a proper beer."
A daily glass of wine increases risk of early death by 20% according to a new study reported in the Independent, suggesting the health benefits of a daily drink may have been somewhat overstated, according to a study that shows regular drinking – even within “safe” limits – substantially increased the risk of premature death. The study drew on data from more than 400,000 US adults and found the 20% higher risk of dying early, from any cause, when people drank on more than three days a week. The Telegraph however reported on same study by suggesting moderate drinking may be helpful for people at risk of heart disease, but should be avoided by people with a family history of cancer. Heart benefits were said to be found for people who had just a few glasses a week, but drinking every day eliminated those benefits and any amount increased cancer risks
Public Health England issued a press release on its drink free days campaign to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, encouraging women to take more drink free days to reduce their breast cancer risk. However the release seem to result in only local coverage. In partnership with Drinkaware, PHE say every year over 55,100 people in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer with alcohol causing 1 in 13 cases. Alcohol increases the level of oestrogen in the bloodstream and long-term exposure to oestrogens increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
Other news
Celebrity Masterchef winner John Partridge has thanked the programme for helping him to carry on the conversation about struggles with drink and drug addiction. He told of how after his mother died, he had spiralled into drink and drug addiction, to a point where he’d party for days at a time and would go to the supermarket to buy whole bottles of alcohol to drink in an evening. The Metro.
Prince Harry has given up alcohol to “support” his wife Meghan Markle during her pregnancy, reports the Sun, stating Harry "was once renowned for his boozy antics". The Duchess of Sussex had previously said on the subject of drinking: “Do the things you enjoy within reason. Know your body and what works for you and you’ll be fine.”
Police are providing bars with urine testing kits after a surge in reports of drink spiking in Devon and Cornwall, reports the BBC. Sgt Dave Moore said the rising figures for Devon and Cornwall reflected "what appears to be a trend nationally where these types of incidents are on the increase".
Facial recognition software is to be used in UK supermarkets for the first time to verify the age of people buying alcohol and cigarettes, the Telegraph reports. The pilot is set to be rolled out at self-service checkouts by the end of the year and could be applied more widely in 2019. Customers will also be able to speed up the process by using a smartphone app to prove their age.
Pubs are being promoted as an opportunity to help tackle loneliness, according to the Morning Advertiser. The report explores a number of pubs undertaking activities to promote social interaction amongst older adults, whilst the University of Bristol has been using specially-designed beermats to highlight the important role traditional pubs have to play in tackling loneliness in older men.
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