Trends and Consequences of Excess Alcohol Consumption in the UK Flashcards
How many units should people have
No more than 14 units a week for men and women
How many days should people spread their units over
3 or more days
Should people have any alcohol free days?
Yes! At least 2 a week
When should you avoid alcohol
If pregnant or trying to conceive
How many pints of beer at 4% make up 14 units
6 pints (568ml)
How many glasses of 13% wine make up 14 units
6 glasses (175ml)
How many shots of 40% spirits make up 14 units
14 shots (25ml)
What are the impacts of alcohol
40% adults drink too much. 24% binge drink. 1:10 teenagers drink more than 1/week
What are associated conditions with drinking
Cancers, Cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, GI diseases, Neuropsychiatric disorders, Injury (un/intentional), Cirrhosis, Fatty liver disease, Foetal alcohol syndrome
What are the trends of alcohol
Approx 1,500 alcohol related deaths annually (Wales). 25% of deaths wholly attributable to alcohol. X3 fold increase in use of ITU beds. Average age at death - 59 years and falling
Describe the role of inequality in alcohol use
Rates rising in both most and least deprived areas. Wholly attributable conditions (mainly mental & behavioural disorders) highest in most deprived areas. Cancer, CVD & unintentional injuries highest in least deprived areas
What are the NHS costs of alcohol
Alcohol treatment centre.
Admissions usually ill , not just the party going drunks. Wales- £70-85m per year treating alcohol related health problems
What support is available for patients
Advice and information, brief interventions (Tier 1). Self-help groups (Tier 2). Care planning counselling (Tier 3). Structured day programmes (Tier 3). Community detoxification (Tier 3). Inpatient treatment (Tier 4). Residential rehabilitation services (Tier 4)
Consumption, affordability and availability of alcohol
Alcohol was 61% more affordable in 2012 than in 1980. UK spent £42 billion on alcohol in 2010. Drivers of consumption: price of alcohol, disposable income, 24 hour availability, sold ‘everywhere’
Describe price of alcohol
Promotions, supermarket discounting, loss leaders, taxation. 50p minimum price results in 1400 fewer hospital admissions per year and 53 fewer deaths per year.
Harm reduction associated with alcohol
Education and skills development, screening and brief intervention, licensing, age restriction, price per unit, safe night time economy, drink driving, alcohol in the workplace policies
Describe the licencing of alcohol
Prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, protection of children from harm
Describe age restrictions of alcohol
Illegal under 18, proof of age, test purchasing
What are the elements of brief intervention
FRAMES:
Feedback about risks of substance use Responsibility placed on client to change Advice to cut down / abstain etc. Menu of options and choices Empathic approach Self-efficacy: using a nonconfrontational counselling style which encourages & reinforces client’s strengths
Describe the screening of alcohol
Ask, advise, act
How do you ask about alcohol
Help them calculate their intake. Keep within limits (no more than 14 units per week; ≥2 alcohol free days/wk). Benefits of reducing intake. Swap usual drink for: smaller drink, lower strength drink, soft drink, only drink with a meal
How do you advice about alcohol
Signpost to www.change4lifewales.org.uk Offer alcohol brief intervention (if trained)
What is the night time economy associated with alcohol
Violence, accidental injury, emergency healthcare, unintended unsafe sex, sexual assault, transport and road safety, pub watch, street pastors, police patrols, taxi officers, ATC, licencing, CCTV, plastic glasses
How can we change our (UK) relationship with alcohol
Our culture, advertising and sponsorship, mass media campaigns
Describe how alcohol is a modern day public health issue
A social issue, a health issue, often a lifestyle choice, morbidity and mortality increasing, high cost (social, NHS, taxpayer). We can change things but do we want to?
