Alcohol Help

Commenting on the Pre Budget Report published by HM Treasury today, Alcohol Concern Chief Executive Don Shenker said:

“We welcome this commitment to maintain an increase in duty – there’s now no doubt the price of alcohol affects how much the population drinks.

“An overhaul of the system for cider duty is long overdue. For too long white cider has enjoyed a lower rate than beer, despite its huge appeal among underage drinkers.

“Over the past twenty years successive governments stood by as alcohol became progressively more affordable.

“The end result is that we now drink far more than our parents ever did and have seen a dramatic increase in alcohol-related deaths and a high level of alcohol-related crime and disorder.

“The burden on our health service and police forces is unacceptable. Alcohol misuse costs our economy around £25 billion per year.

“Increasing tax is a positive step. But supermarkets should not be allowed to absorb duty increases and continue to deep discount and sell alcohol at a loss; introducing a minimum price for alcohol will allow pubs and bars to compete on a level playing field.

Alcohol Concern

Police take action to stop underage drinking

Police are calling time on people who buy alcohol on behalf of under-18s in East and Midlothian as part of a new initiative being launched this week.

Posters warning about the consequences of supplying youngsters with alcohol will be displayed in all off-sales outlets, including major retailers.

All local high schools will also display posters aimed at dissuading youngsters from asking friends or relative to buy alcohol on their behalf. Police will also run alcohol-based workshops during school lunch breaks where youngsters can learn about the dangers of alcohol and pick up a ‘Think B4U Drink’ penlight to reinforce the message.

A recent national survey revealed 55% of young people aged between 13-15-years-old sourced their alcohol from friends or relatives. Recent research by police indicated that between September 2008 and September 2009 incidents involving youths and alcohol showed 26% of all calls related to East and Midlothian.

Inspector Gillian Tennant, Safer Communities, Dalkeith said, ‘The consumption of alcohol by young people and the behaviour associated with this continues to create a daily level of demand on police resources. This also increases the fear of crime among our communities due to the acts of anti-social behaviour, street violence and vandalisms, which are often associated with drunken behaviour.

‘Police and anti-social behaviour teams have been working alongside the retail industry to try and combat this menace but recent figures show that this work can be undone by those individuals who show a flagrant disregard for the law by supplying the alcohol in the first place’.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Lothian and Borders Police

Alcohol-related social problems, such as violence, public disturbance, poor work performance and family problems, are imposing a serious burden on Irish society, according to a new report published today by the Health Research Board (HRB). The report includes an analysis of data from the Garda PULSE system which reveals a 30% increase in alcohol-related offences between 2003 and 2007.

‘We already know that alcohol consumption is related to 60 medical conditions and leads to premature death from disease, accidents and injuries. From the analysis presented in this report we can now see that the social consequences are imposing a considerable burden as well’, says Dr Deirdre Mongan, Research Officer at the HRB and co-author of the report.

Alcohol-related offences rose from 50,948 in 2003 to 66,406 in 2007. The typical offender was a young male aged 24 years or under. Half of all offences were committed at the weekend. Just under half of adult offences occurred between midnight and 4.00 am, with a peak at 2.00 am.

‘Social problems are not confined to young people alone. Personal drinking habits are having an impact at all ages’, says Dr Mongan. ‘Survey research has also shown that one in five people said they experienced harm to their friendships, home life or work, or were involved in fights in the previous year, as a result of their own drinking. The likelihood of this happening was highest among those who engaged in risky drinking every week and lowest among those who did not engage in risky drinking at all. This is not a coincidence’, she says.

The report also reveals that one in four people experienced negative consequences as a result of someone else’s drinking, such as family trouble, financial problems, assault, vandalism or being a passenger in a car with a drunk driver.

Speaking about the impact on others, co-author Dr Ann Hope says, ‘It is important to remember that alcohol-related harm is not restricted to the drinker. The drinker’s personal choices are affecting their family, innocent bystanders and the wider community. It is important that people think about their drinking habits, not just in relation to their own health, but also in terms of the impact they have, or may have, on others.’

‘The need to reduce the level of alcohol-related harm in Ireland has been emphasised in recent years. In March this year the Government approved the development of a combined national strategy to address alcohol and drug misuse. It is essential that this strategy is implemented in a comprehensive and co-ordinated way. We need a clear structure in place, with people given responsibility to ensure that the strategy is acted on. We also need all relevant stakeholders to be committed and active to ensure it is successful’, Dr Hope concludes.

Summary of key findings
Alcohol and crime in Ireland

Data from the Garda PULSE (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively) system were analysed for the years 2003–2007 to examine the contribution of alcohol to crime in Ireland.

Key findings

* Between 2003 and 2007 the number of alcohol-related offences (drunkenness, public order and assault offences) increased by 30%, from 50,948 to 66,406.
* The typical profile of an offender in such cases was that of a young male aged under 24 years, and the 18–24 year age group was responsible for two-fifths of offences.
* Those aged under 18 years (minors) accounted for 17% of offenders, and the total number of offences among minors increased from 6,531 in 2003 to 10,037 in 2007, an increase of 54%.
* For both adults and minors, approximately half of all offences occurred at the weekend. Just under half of adult offences occurred between midnight and 4.00 am, and offences peaked at 2.00 am.
* The number of offences was highest for the week during which St Patrick’s Day occurs, the last week in October and the two weeks around Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Drink-driving offences

* The number of drink-driving offences increased by 74% between 2003 and 2007, from 11,421 to 19,864.
* Males accounted for 90% of drink-driving offenders.
* The largest proportions of both male and female offenders were in the 18–24-year age group, followed by the 25–29-year age group.
* Over half (52%) of all drink-driving offences were recorded between midnight and 4.00 am, and 54% were recorded on a Saturday or Sunday.

Social consequences of alcohol use – results from the National Drinking Surveys

Harm from own drinking

In four drinking surveys (2002–2006), current drinkers were asked if they had experienced one of the following four social harm indicators in the previous 12 months: fights, or harm to friendships, home life or work.

Key findings

* One in five (21%) experienced at least one harm.
* Men were twice as likely to report social harms compared to women (men 28%, women 13%).
* Levels of social harm were higher among weekly risky drinkers (binge drinkers) (36%) compared to less frequent risky drinkers (16%) and to those who did not engage in risky drinking (5%).
* One in four 18–24-year-old weekly risky drinkers reported experiencing work problems and fights in the previous year due to their own alcohol use.
* Harm to home life was more common among those aged 35 years and over and those who were weekly risky drinkers.

Harm from others’ drinking

In the 2006 drinking survey all respondents were asked if they had experience social harm from other people’s drinking in the previous 12 months. The five indicators were: having had family problems, been a passenger with a drunk driver, been assaulted, had financial trouble, or had property vandalised.

Key findings

* Over one in four (28%) experienced harm from someone else’s drinking.
* Men and women experienced similar levels of harm from someone else’s drinking.
* More women than men reported family problems (women 17%, men 12%) and these problems were experienced equally by those who drank and those who did not drink.
* 18% of men and 17% of women aged 18–24 years reported having been assaulted as a result of someone else’s drinking.
* 23% of men and 17% of women aged 18–24 years reported having been a passenger with a drunk driver.
* Weekly risky drinkers were more likely to have experienced assault or been a passenger with a drunk driver compared to other drinkers.

Health Research Board

Alcoholic ‘energy’ drinks could raise risks from intoxication

People who drink may want to know that coffee won’t sober them up, according to new laboratory research. Instead, a cup of coffee may make it harder for people to realize they’re drunk.

What’s more, popular caffeinated “alcohol-energy” drinks don’t neutralize alcohol intoxication, suggest the findings from a mouse study reported in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

“The myth about coffee’s sobering powers is particularly important to debunk because the co-use of caffeine and alcohol could actually lead to poor decisions with disastrous outcomes,” said co-author Thomas Gould, PhD, of Temple University, in extending the research to what it means for humans.

“People who have consumed only alcohol, who feel tired and intoxicated, may be more likely to acknowledge that they are drunk,” he added. “Conversely, people who have consumed both alcohol and caffeine may feel awake and competent enough to handle potentially harmful situations, such as driving while intoxicated or placing themselves in dangerous social situations.”

In the laboratory, caffeine made mice more alert but did not reverse the learning problems caused by alcohol, including their ability to avoid things they should have known could hurt them, according to the study.

Scientists gave groups of young adult mice various doses, both separately and together, of caffeine and of ethanol (pure alcohol) at levels known to induce intoxication. The doses of caffeine were the equivalent of one up to six or eight cups of coffee for humans. Control mice were given saline solution.

Gould and co-author Danielle Gulick, PhD, then tested three key aspects of behavior: the ability to learn which part of a maze to avoid after exposure to a bright light or loud sound; anxiety, reflected by time spent exploring the maze’s open areas; and general locomotion.

Ethanol, as expected, increased locomotion and reduced anxiety and learning in proportion to the dose given. In other words, intoxicated animals were more relaxed and moved around more but learned significantly less well than control mice to avoid the part of the maze with the unpleasant stimuli.

By itself, caffeine increased anxiety and reduced both learning and locomotion. Compared to the control animals, mice given caffeine were significantly more inhibited, less mobile and less savvy about avoiding the unpleasant stimuli.

When the drugs were given together, ethanol blocked caffeine’s ability to make the mice more anxious. Conversely, caffeine did not reverse ethanol’s negative effect on learning. As a result, alcohol calmed the caffeine jitters, leaving an animal more relaxed but less able to avoid threats – a combination that the authors speculated could make people more likely to believe they are not drunk or not impaired enough to have problems functioning.

“The alcohol-energy drink combinations have skyrocketed in popularity,” Gould noted. He cited other evidence that these drinks produce deficits in general cognitive ability and raise the odds of alcohol-related problems such as drunken-driving citations, sexual misconduct, and needing medical assistance.

“The bottom line is that, despite the appeal of being able to stay up all night and drink, all evidence points to serious risks associated with caffeine-alcohol combinations,” he concluded.

The Food and Drug Administration is looking into the safety and legality of combination alcohol-caffeine beverages. In November, it sent letters to 30 manufacturers asking for evidence that such drinks are safe and legal under FDA regulations. To date, the FDA has only approved caffeine as an additive in soft drinks at concentrations less than 200 parts per million and has not approved adding caffeine at any level to alcoholic beverages. Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, a substance added intentionally to food (such as caffeine in alcoholic beverages) is deemed unsafe and is unlawful unless its particular use has been approved by FDA regulation or is generally recognized as safe.

American Psychological Association

Young people in Halton turned thespian to tackle the serious issues of sex and alcohol as part of a drama workshop at the Hub in Grangeway, funded through the Government’s Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) scheme.

Up to 60 teenagers watched a powerful drama by the Tiva dance company about the dangerous sexual situations they can find themselves in while under the influence, before getting into groups and acting out scenarios.

The drama is based on real situations that young people have been involved in, according to feedback given to Tiva during their drama workshops and also examines the impact that excessive drinking among young people can have on the wider community.

The production was funded by the PAYP+ (Positive Activities for Young People) grant, which is part of Aiming High, a ten-year strategy by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to provide young people with positive activities in their local area.

The play follows a hard-hitting radio campaign which was spearheaded by Halton Borough Council after a recent survey found that 25 per cent teenagers feel confused, worried or even scared about sex and relationships, and that most teens would like to talk to their parents or carer about it.

Paula Carney, a youth worker for Halton Youth Service, said: “It’s vital that we educate young people about alcohol and sex because you hear about some real horror situations they have been involved in over the weekend, mainly involving drinking and unprotected sex.

“The drama will really resonate with them because it looks at real life situations and how they would deal with it. This is a good time to show the play as well because Christmas is a time when young people are more likely to get involved in these types of situations.

“We have a c-card scheme, where we hand out condoms, and the take up always increases around Christmas and during other holidays.”

The event also used demonstrations to look at how difficult it can be to use protection when under the influence and saw the young people enjoy fruit cocktails, courtesy of a non-alcoholic bar.

Paula added: “It can be easy when young people are under the influence of drink to think that they can’t be bothered using protection, but this play really highlights for them how serious the implications can be in a setting where they are comfortable. The bar also helped to demonstrate to the young people that they don’t have to get drunk to have a good time.”

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for the Community, Cllr Marie Wright, said: “It’s great to see young people getting involved in helping to make positive choices about drink and relationships.”

Department for Children, Schools and Families

Drinking alcohol increases the chances of young people taking risks, including with their sexual health, according to new research from alcohol charity Drinkaware and sexual health charity Brook. One in four (25%) 16 and 17 year olds had been drinking alcohol the first time they had sex without a condom and more than half (51%) have friends who have had sex without a condom because they were drunk (1).

As part of a long term partnership, Drinkaware and Brook are joining forces over Christmas and the New Year to distribute packs to young people which contains information about alcohol, sexual health and personal safety(2). Research shows that teenage conceptions peak in December and January (3) so the charities are reaching out to young people at a particularly risky time.

The ‘Have fun. Be careful.’ campaign will remind young people that drinking alcohol can affect their ability to assess risks, to use a condom if they choose to have sex and to make plans to get home safely after a night out. As well as receiving a campaign pack, which includes a condom and mobile phone credit, 16 and 17 year olds will also receive a text message on New Years Eve, reminding them to ‘Have fun’ and ‘Be careful.’ if they’re celebrating.

The Drinkaware and Brook survey of 16 and 17 year olds also shows that:

• One in four (25%) admit they would be more likely to have sex without a condom if they were drinking alcohol but over half (51%) rarely or never carry condoms on a night out;
• One third (32%) would be unlikely to have an STI test after having sex without a condom;
• 15% get drunk at least three times a week;
• Over a third (34%) walked home alone at night in the dark when drunk(4);
• One in 10 (10%) had sex when they were drunk and regretted it afterwards(4).

Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:

“We know that many 16 and 17 year olds regularly get drunk and this can increase the chances of young people finding themselves in a difficult, often risky situation.

“Young people might think they know everything there is to know about alcohol, sex and how to look after themselves, but it is really important for us all to ensure they have the right advice and information to help avoid taking unnecessary risks.

“Providing advice over Christmas and New Year is especially important as this is when teenage conceptions are at their highest, but young people need to know that drinking to excess can make them vulnerable all year round. We hope the Drinkaware and Brook packs will help 16 and 17 year olds remember that drinking alcohol can mean doing something you might regret.”

Jules Hillier, Brook’s Director of Communications, says:

“We know from what young people tell us that they come under pressure to have unsafe sex in many ways, including as a result of alcohol use, so we are delighted to be working with Drinkaware on the closely connected issues of alcohol and poor sexual health. This campaign enables us to provide targeted support to young people when they most need it and in ways we know they like. By working this way, we hope to help young people better understand the risks they take and the links between alcohol and unsafe sex.

“The ‘Have fun. Be Careful’ campaign reminds young people to have fun, and if they are going to have sex to be extra careful and to make sure they use contraception.”

Drinkaware

The holiday season has historically acted like a trigger for many people’s addiction and alcoholism.

Apart from the warm and merry imagery of the holiday season perfectly captured in paintings by Currier Ives and Norman Rockwell, there is also a sad and less publicized side that makes the holidays very difficult for many Americans. With over 20 million Americans in need of treatment for drug addiction or alcohol abuse, the holiday season is often marked by isolation, fear, tension, and increased drug use and or alcohol abuse.

There are millions of people in this country that suffer from substance abuse issues and millions more that are in active recovery and or in rehabilitation centers across America. These individuals serve as support systems to one another and encourage each other to stay clean and sober. As we enter the upcoming holidays, many families and individuals are fearful and nervous about what to expect. Mountainside Addiction Treatment Center has weighed in and listed the following common pitfalls to avoid and suggestions to follow to make the holiday season a happy and sober one for those in early recovery.

For People In Recovery: You should not let the holiday season become an excuse for you to drink or use drugs. It is important to honestly recognize that not all holiday events / social situations are created equal; some come with invariably higher risk to your sobriety than others. It is imperative that before you commit to attending any social situation / get-together or even family event, that you make a thorough and honest assessment of all possible risks and other issues that may be present and discuss these with someone in recovery and devise a plan to ensure your sobriety. You will need to develop a healthy fear of picking up a drink or a drug and channel it into a solid plan that will allow you to enjoy the holidays clean and sober and have resolute understanding about what situations to avoid. Many people that have issues with addiction have successfully learned to adjust to all social situations, and many cite their success on a few simple rules and guidelines:

What to divulge: You don’t ever have to tell someone why you don’t want a drink. You can simply say, "No thanks." You can discuss why you aren’t drinking if you choose. If someone starts pressuring you to drink, it’s time to walk away.

Bring a Friend and ensure support: Find a friend to accompany you to a party who understands your situation or take along a friend who is also in recovery. Remember that a lot of people do not drink and that no one knows that you are in recovery unless you tell them. Think of the list of people that will be attending and identify someone that you feel safe with. These tactics allows you to feel less alone in your situation which can curb anxiety.

Plan to have a way out: There are many twelve step meetings throughout the holiday season – identify a meeting for each day and at various times in the day. When it comes to the time of a party or social situation where there will be alcohol present or other pressures, prepare to have plans that will allow you to leave for something else. It is better to have safety-plans and not need them, then to need them and not have them.

Your house, your rules: : If you are hosting a holiday event or attending a family function you have every right to make it an alcohol-free event or to simply not attend. If you are attending a party and the host has vetoed alcohol than don’t bring any. They have their reasons for having an alcohol-free party and you need to respect their wishes.

Call your Sponsor: Most twelve step based networks and addiction treatment programs offer Sponsors to help you through new situations. A Sponsor may have been in this situation at some point in their recovery and will share their experience. If you have a Sponsor, call her/him before you attend the party to help you. If you don’t have a sponsor – get a temporary one and have the number ready.

Check -in: One very helpful tool is to step away from the party or family situation at regular interval and call someone in recovery. You should not wait for a hot situation to develop for you to call – call if things are going good, bad or indifferent. Commit to staying in contact with a recovering person.

Alka-thon: Any person in recovery has the option to participate in an alka-thon which is an all day 12-step based meeting event. It allows the individual to have support through-out the entire holiday. These meetings are twenty-four hours and open to anyone dealing with issues of addiction.

Sober Holiday Parties: People in the program often throw sober parties. If you are a newcomer, ask what others are doing for the holiday season and see if you can join them. Avoid being alone. Be vocal and speak up – you are not alone.

Bring your own drinks: Bring your own bottle of sparkling water, soda or other non-alcoholic beverage that you will be drinking. Don’t feel pressured to have to bring an alcoholic beverage – it is not your place to bring alcohol.

Stay Away: Stay away from situations that are alcohol related. "Come late. Leave early" is a common slogan for people in recovery. It is important to remember that you are heading for danger if you are placing yourself in situations that surround alcohol. As the saying goes: "If you keep going to the barber shop, you are bound to get your hair cut!"

For Families or Loved Ones-
If you have a loved one that you’re concerned about this holiday season there are many ways for a family member to support their loved ones during this time. There are some needed steps for tackling issues that present themselves when a newly sober person is dealing with a holiday.

Alcoholic Beverages – Do not make an issue of whether you decide not to serve or serve alcoholic beverages. If you can refrain from serving alcoholic beverages around someone in early recovery, then this is the best situation. If you do plan on serving alcohol, ensure that you have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages (juice, sparkling water, soda, etc) for the person in recovery [ AVOID non-alcoholic beverages - these are not for people in recovery ]. Try to make sure that the person in recovery is not singled out for not drinking alcohol- or being the only person not drinking – offer your quiet support by not drinking alcohol.

Alanon: Attend a family based program. Information is the key and can inform the family of the nature of addiction and how they can take care of themselves and their loved ones. Family members need support just like the person suffering with the disease of addiction. It is important for the family to understand the three C’S: Cannot cure, Cause, or Control. Acceptance that addiction is a disease is imperative to supporting the person dealing with addiction.

Stay Sober: Family members can stay sober with their loved ones as a form of support during the holiday season. Attend a meeting with the family member only if the person is open to it.
Have support / crisis plan: Have a pre-meditated plan in place so that if an issue does arise you can deal with it quickly. It is important to communicate with other loved ones that are aware of the situation so that everyone is on message.

Ask what you can do as a means of support: Ask how you can better support you loved one by having a private and candid discussion prior to the holiday.

Mountainside Treatment Center

Drivers in the West are being warned that getting behind the wheel after drinking this Christmas could leave them without their car for at least 12 months as a £1.2 million THINK! campaign is launched today by the Department for Transport.

THINK!’s new national Driver Friendly initiative – which also launches today – will see designated drivers across the region receiving offers on soft drinks in over 600 venues across the region.

The THINK! campaign – with new radio, national press, online and in-pub advertising as well as TV adverts – reminds drivers, and young men in particular: If you get caught drink driving you risk losing your car for at least 12 months.

Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said:

"Drink driving ruins lives. Last year 430 people didn’t make it home to their families because of drink drivers.

"My message to drivers in the West is clear – if you’re drinking this Christmas then leave the car at home. I am delighted that drinks companies and pub chains have joined our new Driver Friendly initiative to reward designated drivers for steering clear of alcohol.

"Anyone convicted of drink driving will lose their licence for a minimum of 12 months – they’ll also get a criminal record and a large fine. Don’t ruin Christmas in a moment of selfishness."

Inspector Keith Fagan, of Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Road Safety and Traffic Management Department, said:

"During last year’s Christmas drink drive campaign we arrested more than 90 people for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

“We would rather have made no arrests at all, because that would mean our warnings on the dangers of drink driving were being heeded. More importantly it would mean no one was putting their driving licence, their career, their social life and, indeed, the lives of themselves and others at risk.

“We hope the people of Gloucestershire will be more responsible this year and we will do all we can to tackle those irresponsible drivers, leaving the way clear for the law abiding to enjoy the festive season in a safety. The message from THINK! and the Police this Christmas is simple: don’t drink and drive."

Kelly, 26, from Gloucestershire, who was caught drink driving last Christmas, said:

“I had been decorating a Christmas tree with some of my friends. We had a few drinks but because I had eaten and quite a bit of time had passed I thought I would be alright to drive home.

“I was wrong. I collided with a car at a junction, arrested and charged with drink driving. I’d saved for a long time for the car. It was the best thing I had ever had. But I’ve lost it and I’m still paying for it.

“Now I have to rely on lifts to and from work and even had to move home because my house was too far from a bus stop. The gym, the cinema and the shops are all much harder to get to. I’ve lost friends over it. I spend a lot of my spare time in my house. I was very lucky to keep my job.

“In tried to keep it quiet, but the local paper printed my name and what happened for everyone to read. The Christmas THINK! campaign is important because it sends home the message that a drink drive conviction can affect your whole life.”

The Driver Friendly initiative is supported by soft drinks manufacturers and pub chains across the West with offers on Coca-Cola soft drinks for designated drivers in more than 8,000 pubs nationwide and a variety of other promotions including discounts and free drinks.

More than half a million drivers are stopped and breathalysed each year with more breath tests carried out in December than other months. This year the police aim to carry out record numbers of road side breath tests so drink drivers are more likely than ever to be caught and punished.

The Department for Transport also announced today that an independent expert has been appointed to examine possible changes to the law on drink and drug driving.

Department for Transport