Health Behaviours- Alcohol

Question 1

Safe Alcohol consumption levels per week? (WHO)

Answer 1

21 units-Men

14 units-Women

Question 2

Definition of binge drinking? (WHO)

Answer 2

6 units or more (in one sitting?)

Question 3

DSM-5 Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorders?

Answer 3

Failure to meet obligations
Hazardous situations
Interpersonal and social problems
Drinking more or for longer than intended
Tolerance
Withdrawal symptoms
Craving
Unsuccessful attempts to stop/ persistent desire
Lots of time spent using, obtaining or recovering
Important activities given up
Aware of physical or psychological issues caused by alcohol.

Question 4

Risks of binge drinking?

Answer 4

• Accidents, Disability, Death, Alcohol poisoning
• Hangovers, blackouts, nausea, vomiting
• Social, health, economic costs
• Academic impairment
• Violence (incl. domestic, homicide, suicide)
• Unwanted pregnancies and STIs

Question 5

Risks of regular heavy drinking?

Answer 5

• Liver cirrhosis
• Acute pancreatitis
• Increased risk of cvd
• Increased risk of some cancers (breast, Liver, oral, colon, stomach)
• Alcohol dependance
• Exacerbated psych and social issues
• Foetal Alcohol syndrome

Question 6

Main theories of alcohol dependence/ abuse/ binge drinking?

Answer 6

1) Tension reduction hypothesis
- Drink to relieve stress and anxiety
2) Social Learning Theory
- Learn by imitating others
3) Operant conditioning
- Positive reinforcement from the immediate “buzz” from drinking.
4) Epigenetic Theory
- Gene-environment interactions

Question 7

Methods to recognise/ assess problem drinking?

Answer 7

1. CAGE questionnaire

2. AUDIT C questionnaire