Alcohol Policy UK

Alcohol harm to others: 1 in 5 experience harm in the last year

A recent BMJ study exploring the level of harm people experience from other people's drinking has attracted widespread media coverage.

The findings, based on data from the Alcohol Toolkit Study, indicate one in five people in England have been harmed by others drinking over the past year. Whilst being kept awake at night (8%) or feeling anxious/uncomfortable at a social occasion (nearly 7%) were the most common harms, these problems could still contribute to health issues, whilst nearly one in 20 people reported experiencing threats or acts aggression.

Funding for children of alcohol dependent parents: tackling the stigma of 'alcoholism'?

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced further details on Government support for the children of alcohol-dependent parents. The funding follows a pledge earlier this year by the Health Secretary and campaigning by several MPs including a parliamentary group and a Manifesto for 'Children of Alcoholics'. 

The Government release say £6 million will be available to support a package of measures including £4.5 million for an 'innovation fund for local authorities to develop plans that improve outcomes for children of alcohol-dependent parents'. £1 million will go to fund national capacity building by non-governmental organisations whilst '£500,000 to expand national helplines for children with alcoholic parents' which had been previously pledged.

News & updates March 2018: MUP Scotland and Wales, cuts, older people, beer affordability & more

Selected media stories since the February roundup:

Writing in the Scotsman, Alcohol Focus Scotland Chief Executive Alison Douglas, said "The historic introduction of Minimum Unit ­Pricing (MUP) of ­alcohol is just weeks away and will mark a significant turning point in ­Scotland’s damaging relationship with drink. When this life-saving ­policy comes into effect on May 1, the positive impact on the nation’s health will be felt in a matter of months. In the first year alone, minimum pricing could prevent 60 ­alcohol-related deaths, 1,300 hospital admissions and 3,500 crimes, and those health and ­other benefits will build over time.". See APUK's MUP and UK policy analysis here.

Family experiences of recovery, IBA mentors, cancer, older people & more: latest Alcohol Research UK reports

Understanding recovery from a family perspective: A survey of life in recovery for families

A new Alcohol Research UK funded research project has explored the family experience of recovery, highlighting the wide-reaching impact alcohol dependence can have but also the significant benefits to families from recovery. 

Declining alcohol-related violence - an effect of consumption falls? Crime Survey 2017

The latest figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) indicate a fall in the number of violent offences where the victim believed the perpetrator to be under the influence of alcohol. For the year ending March 2017, 40% of victims believed the perpetrator(s) to be under the influence of alcohol versus 53% in 2013/14.

PHE 'Prevention, treatment and recovery: why invest?'

Public Health England (PHE) have released Alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and recovery: why invest? for commissioners and providers 'to help make the case for investing in drug and alcohol treatment and interventions'.

The resource collects alcohol-related figures and infographics designed to help make the business case for investing in treatment and early intervention - see the slide set here (includes some commentary and references in PowerPoint version -click 'save' in top right of screen).

Funding for helpline to support 'children of alcoholics' announced

New funding of £500,000 has been reported by the Health Secretary to go towards a national helpline to support 'children of alcoholics' as part of a new Government strategy.

The announcement comes after ongoing work by several high profile MPs who have spoken about their experiences and attracted significant media attention to the subject. The funding will go to the National Association of Children of Alcoholics (NACOA) to help run its helpline which has previously relied on voluntary donations.

IAS warns over wide scope of parental drinking impact on children

A new Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) report exploring the effects of drinking amongst non-dependent parents has been released in partnership with the Alcohol and Families Alliance and Alcohol Focus Scotland.

Download “Like sugar for adults: The effect of non-dependent parental drinking on children & families” [pdf]

The report suggests a range of negative impacts from parental drinking can start at even moderate levels, though harms increased in line with consumption. The IAS states the research shows 'parents do not have to regularly drink large amounts of alcohol for their children to notice changes in their behaviour and experience negative impacts'. Seeing a parent tipsy or drunk was associated with children feeling worried as well as experiencing negative impacts such as unpredictable parental behaviour. The Guardian reported the findings stating 'even light drinking can upset children'.

Partnership and personal responsibility: alcohol policy now within crime strategy

The existence of a national alcohol strategy for England is arguably no more; a new crime prevention strategy has set out alcohol-related crime objectives, but signals the end of a central policy also covering health and other areas previously unified in a single document.

In 2004 the first national strategy for England set out a framework spanning prevention, treatment, crime, and other key areas. Largely viewed as only any good for getting the ball rolling, it was subsequently met with the expansive 'Safe. Sociable. Sensible' strategy and local toolkit in 2007.

Alcohol's harm to others: IAS & SCHARR report

A new report released by the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) highlights the extent of alcohol harms experienced as a result of other people's drinking, which costs the UK economy more than £15bn each year.

Download 'Alcohol's harm to others' [pdf] or see a video here.

Produced by the Institute of Alcohol Studies with the University of Sheffield School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), the report combines a review of the evidence and new survey data.

Over 2,000 adults from the North West of England and Scotland were asked about the harms experienced from others’ alcohol consumption. It reports most people experienced problems from other's drinking such as being harassed or insulted on the street, feeling unsafe in public, being kept awake at night and being sexually harassed.

The main findings of the report show that: