Prevention Of Alcohol Problems Research Articles

Binge Drinking and Alcohol Problems Among Moderate Average-Level Drinkers

A significant amount of binge drinking among adults escapes public health scrutiny because it occurs among individuals who drink at a moderate average level. This observational study examined the role of a binge pattern of drinking in predicting alcohol problems among moderate drinkers in a U.S. national sample of adults. Participants were 1,229 current drinkers aged ≥30 years from 2 waves of the study of Midlife Development in the United States, with a 9-year time lag (2004-2015) (analyzed in 2021‒2022). Negative binomial regression analyses were used to examine the number of alcohol problems, and binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine multiple (≥2) alcohol problems. Independent of the average level of drinking, binge drinking was linked with an almost 3 times increase in the number of concurrent alcohol problems and a 40% increase in the number of alcohol problems prospectively 9 years later. Moderate average level drinkers accounted for most cases of binge drinking and multiple alcohol problems. Among moderate drinkers, binge drinking was linked with a close to 5 times increase in concurrent multiple alcohol problems and a >2 times increase in multiple alcohol problems prospectively 9 years later. These results substantially broaden an increasing recognition that binge drinking is a public health concern among adults. Moderate average-level drinkers should be included in efforts to reduce alcohol problems in adults. These findings are applicable to primary and secondary prevention of alcohol problems with the potential to advance population health.

Swedish Managers' and HR-Officers' Experiences and Perceptions of Participating in Alcohol Prevention Skills Training: A Qualitative Study.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore Swedish managers’ and HR-officers’ experiences and perceptions of skills training including a development and implementation of an alcohol policy.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with Swedish managers (n = 44) and HR-officers (n = 9) from nine different organizations whom had received skills training and an organizational policy implementation. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analyses.ResultsIn total, nine themes were identified as: The prevalence of alcohol problems: a wake-up call; a reminder to intervene immediately; an altered view of the responsibility of the employer; initiating conversations about alcohol: a useful toolbox; an imprecise, yet positive, memory; increased awareness of issues related to alcohol culture; I have not heard a word about a new alcohol policy; the alcohol policy: a mere piece of paper; and alcohol problem prevention: hardly a low-hanging fruit. Participants’ experiences of the skills training were positive overall.ConclusionVarious aspects of the skills training were appreciated by managers and HR-officers, including insight of prevalence statistics and employer responsibilities. Participants emphasized the value of repeated skills training occasions for retaining knowledge. Future research may investigate further in what way skills training may affect managers’ willingness to engage in workplace alcohol prevention. Since the implementation of any policy had gone unnoticed to participants, a reason for which could be related to the notion of the existing policy as “good enough” in its current condition, implementation and organizational issues, or a reluctance to address alcohol-related matters unless necessary; future research may focus on investigating in what manner alcohol policies are in fact utilized within organizations.

Weight Loss Surgery Increases Risk of Unhealthy Drinking

Weight Loss Surgery Increases Risk of Unhealthy Drinking

An integrative literature review exploring the impact of alcohol workplace policies

PurposeAlcohol workplace policies (AWPs) can help organizations to manage and support employees with alcohol-related problems. Over the last two decades, there has been a slow but steady rise of research on AWPs with some indication that these can contribute to reducing employee excessive consumption. However, there does not appear to be any empirical literature reviews to consolidate and evaluate what this body of evidence says regarding the impact of these policies. The following review seeks to address this gap.Design/methodology/approachFive electronic databases were searched for papers published between January 1996 and January 2020. To capture additional relevant papers (including those from non-peer reviewed sources), the search was extended to Google Scholar, professional and human resource management websites, trade publications and the website of one United Kingdom (UK)-based alcohol charity. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to systematically screen the paper titles, abstracts and full-text records. 14 papers were deemed eligible and therefore included in the integrative review. After extracting data, all 14 papers were appraised for quality and then analysed using the narrative synthesis guide by Popay et al. (2006).FindingsFive themes were identified, namely, Associations between Policy and Consumption Levels/Patterns, Deterrence, Policy and Programme Type, Knowledge and Understanding and Enforcement and Discipline. These themes encapsulated what the included papers concluded about the impact and associated benefits or challenges of AWPs.Research limitations/implicationsThis review identifies that despite the benefits of AWPs, up to 40% of workplaces do not have these policies in place. Future research needs to explicitly explore the reasons for this.Practical implicationsThis review highlights that AWPs can benefit employees and workplaces. Therefore, organizations are encouraged to develop and implement AWPs to support health improvement and prevention of alcohol problems in the workplace.Originality/valueThis review provides a current synthesis of literature published over the last two decades regarding the impact of AWPs on employees and workplaces.

The role of distress tolerance in the relationship between cognitive schemas and alcohol problems among college students

IntroductionThe current study tested the role of distress tolerance in the relationship between three early maladaptive cognitive schemas (Abandonment, Defectiveness/Shame, and Insufficient Self-Control) and alcohol problems among college students (N=364). Previous research suggests that maladaptive cognitive schemas may be a risk factor for alcohol-related problems. However, the mechanism underlying this association is unclear. One's tolerance for emotional distress may play an important role in understanding the nature of this association. MethodsWe tested a structural equation model where distress tolerance was expected to explain or moderate associations between early maladaptive schemas and alcohol outcomes. ResultsResults indicated distress tolerance partially mediated the relationships between schemas of Abandonment and Insufficient Self-Control and alcohol problems. Distress tolerance also significantly moderated the relationship between the Defectiveness/Shame schema and alcohol-related problems, reducing the strength of the association. ConclusionsDistress tolerance is a modifiable risk factor and the results of this study support the inclusion of emotional regulation strategies in the prevention and treatment of alcohol problems among young adults.

The association between alcohol drinking and self-reported mental and physical functioning: a prospective cohort study among City of Helsinki employees

ObjectivesAlcohol drinking is associated with ill health but less is known about its contribution to overall functioning. We aimed to examine whether alcohol drinking predicts self-reported mental and physical functioning...

Secondary Prevention of Alcohol Problems in Rural Areas Using a Bibliotherapy-Based Approach.

This study investigated the relative effects of three 12-week secondary prevention interventions for problem drinking men and women in rural counties in New York State. The participants were 111 self-referred men and women without severe dependence on alcohol who nevertheless reported heavy drinking and a desire to reduce their alcohol consumption. They were assigned randomly to one of three 12-week interventions focused on reducing alcohol intake: bibliotherapy (a self-directed manual) alone, bibliotherapy with one telephone-administered motivational interview, or bibliotherapy with one telephone-administered motivational interview and six biweekly telephone therapy sessions. Results showed that, across conditions, participants significantly increased their abstinent and light drinking days and significantly decreased their heavy drinking days over the course of treatment and a 12-month follow-up period. In addition, participants reported moderate reductions in alcohol consequences and increases in confidence not to drink heavily across a variety of situations from pre- to posttreatment, with these changes remaining stable across the course of the follow-up. Use of the drinking reduction strategies presented in the self-directed manual also remained stable from posttreatment to the 12-month follow-up. These results provide support for consideration of bibliotherapy for rural problem drinkers who are not severely dependent on alcohol, with or without the addition of telephone contacts.

Influence of Early Onset of Alcohol Use on the Development of Adolescent Alcohol Problems: a Longitudinal Binational Study.

This study examined cross-national similarities in a developmental model linking early age of alcohol use onset to frequent drinking and heavy drinking and alcohol problems 1 and 2years later in a binational sample of 13-year-old students from two states: Washington State, USA and Victoria, Australia (N = 1833). A range of individual, family, school, and peer influences was included in analyses to investigate their unique and shared contribution to development of early and more serious forms of alcohol use and harms from misuse. Data were collected annually over a 3-year period from ages 13 to 15. Analyses were conducted using multiple-group structural equation modeling. For both states, early use of alcohol predicted frequent drinking, which predicted alcohol problems. Family protective influences had neither direct effects on heavy drinking nor effects on alcohol harm in either state, whereas school protection directly reduced the risk of heavy drinking in both states. Exposure to antisocial peers and siblings predicted a higher likelihood of heavy drinking and alcohol harm for students in both Washington and Victoria. Implications for the prevention of adolescent alcohol problems are discussed.

Alcohol policy impact on young risky drinkers and their support for proposed measures

ObjectiveTo explore the impacts of existing policies on young Australian risky drinkers' access to alcohol and to gauge their support for proposed alcohol measures. MethodsThe 16–19 year old participants were recruited from three Australian states using non‐random convenience sampling, for either a face‐to‐face or online quantitative survey (N=958). The sample was deliberately selected to represent drinkers whose consumption placed them in the riskiest drinking 20–25% of their age bracket. ResultsHalf (49%) the sample who were younger than the Australian legal purchase age reported it was ‘easy’ to buy alcohol from bottle stores, and 75% of those who had tried to purchase alcohol, said it was ‘easy’ the last time they tried. Half of those under 18, who had attempted to enter a licensed venue, reported they did not have their identification checked last time they gained access. Ninety per cent of all respondents drank within a private location at their last risky drinking session. Sixty‐five per cent supported ‘increasing the price of [alcohol by 20¢] a standard drink if the extra 20¢ was used to support prevention and treatment of alcohol problems'. ConclusionsAge‐ or intoxication‐based restrictions to alcohol were commonly bypassed. ImplicationsPoint‐of‐sale alcohol controls require improvement to prevent under age access. Given that a significant proportion of drinking occasions for those under 18 were in private premises, prevention strategies need to target these locations. There were diverse levels of support for strategies to reduce harm, including potential community backing for an evidence‐based proposed price policy.

Conversation with Jonathan Chick.

In this occasional series, we record the views and personal experiences of people who have especially contributed to the evolution of ideas in the journal's field of interest. Professor Jonathan Chick is now retired from a long and successful career as a clinician in addiction psychiatry for the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. He was formerly consultant psychiatrist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and senior lecturer at Edinburgh University. His career as an academic and as a renowned clinician in the field of alcohol dependence continues, with his most recent appointments being as a Professor at Queen Margaret's University in Edinburgh and as a Medical Director at Castle Craig Hospital. He is an author and editor of many books and articles concerning the prevention and treatment of alcohol problems. Professor Chick is also editor of Alcohol and Alcoholism.

Missed opportunity for alcohol problem prevention among army active duty service members postdeployment.

We identified to what extent the Department of Defense postdeployment health surveillance program identifies at-risk drinking, alone or in conjunction with psychological comorbidities, and refers service members who screen positive for additional assessment or care. We completed a cross-sectional analysis of 333 803 US Army active duty members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan deployments in fiscal years 2008 to 2011 with a postdeployment health assessment. Alcohol measures included 2 based on self-report quantity-frequency items-at-risk drinking (positive Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test alcohol consumption questions [AUDIT-C] screen) and severe alcohol problems (AUDIT-C score of 8 or higher)-and another based on the interviewing provider's assessment. Nearly 29% of US Army active duty members screened positive for at-risk drinking, and 5.6% had an AUDIT-C score of 8 or higher. Interviewing providers identified potential alcohol problems among only 61.8% of those screening positive for at-risk drinking and only 74.9% of those with AUDIT-C scores of 8 or higher. They referred for a follow-up visit to primary care or another setting only 29.2% of at-risk drinkers and only 35.9% of those with AUDIT-C scores of 8 or higher. This study identified missed opportunities for early intervention for at-risk drinking. Future research should evaluate the effect of early intervention on long-term outcomes.

A Comparative Review on National Alcohol Prevention Policies in Different Selected Countries

Alcohol, with its impact on both communicable and non-communicable diseases, is considered as the third global public health priority. Alcohol ranked third among causes of ill health and premature death, and ranked second in terms of cost among all the substances of abuse, after tobacco, even though nearly half the world’s population drinks alcohol. In most countries, where alcohol is considered as legal; governments facing the dilemma of dealing with alcohol, as they play the roles of the regulator, the wholesaler, and the retailer. In these countries, a broad unity of purpose and action has been emerged within the alcohol problems perspective, against diverse cultural, social and economic situations and experiences with alcohol at national level. The scientific basis for that perspective enrooted in a sustained global research effort. Many common features of these policies include monitoring of public health and safety impacts of policies, increased prevention programming (with a focus on children and youth and on modifying risky drinking behaviors), rigorous monitoring and enforcement of laws, enhancement of the addiction treatment and rehabilitation system, evaluation of prevention policies and programs and involvement of public health experts in the planning of future changes to alcohol policy. Many success stories has raised in reducing the alcohol problem in different countries, however, many challenges still exist. In this presentation policies of different countries on alcohol problem prevention were reviewed to provide a wealth of evidences to address the issues that policy makers are facing in terms of alcohol prevention program in Iran.

Contribution of Time of Drinking Onset and Family History of Alcohol Problems in Alcohol and Drug Use Behaviors in Argentinean College Students

The aim of the study was to analyze independent and potential interactive effects of age at drinking onset and family history of alcohol abuse on subsequent patterns of alcohol drinking, alcohol-related problems and substance use. Participants were college students (60.3% females, mean age = 20.27 ± 2.54 years) from the city of Córdoba, Argentina. Several measures were used to assess alcohol, tobacco and drug use. The Spanish version of the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire was used to assess alcohol-related problems. Factorial analyses of variance, or its non-parametric equivalent, were performed to explore differences in substance use behaviors and alcohol-related problems in subjects with early or late drinking onset and with or without family history of alcohol abuse. Chi-square tests were conducted to analyze the association between these two risk factors and categorical measures of alcohol, tobacco and drug use. Early onset of drinking was associated with amount of consumption of alcohol including up to hazardous levels, as well as tobacco and drug use. However, the frequency of alcohol problems and frequency of episodes of alcohol intoxication were only related to age of onset in those with a positive family history of alcohol problems. Delaying drinking debut is particularly important in the prevention of future alcohol problems in those adolescents who have a family history of such problems.

Preventing alcohol problems and improving drinking habits among employees: An evaluation of alcohol education.

In a municipality in Sweden there was a concern about the high alcohol consumption among its residents. An alcohol education program was provided to all those employed by the municipality. To investigate whether a day-long alcohol education program provided to all employed by a Swedish municipality had an effect on alcohol consumption among employees and specifically among employees with low and higher levels of consumption respectively. A quasi-experimental evaluation using pre-test and post-test questionnaires was performed. The municipality's employees were divided in one intervention group (n: 124) and one control group (n: 139). ANOVA with repeated measures was performed on AUDIT-score and on three separate AUDIT-items: frequency of drinking, frequency of binge drinking, and typical amount consumed per drinking occasion. No significant effect on alcohol consumption was identified for the intervention group as a whole. Stratified analyses showed the intervention had a significant effect on reducing the frequency of binge drinking among those with the highest consumption. Compared to many other studies on alcohol education, some results on behaviour were found when performing stratified analyses. The employees with the highest alcohol consumption, although not labelled high consumers, reduced the frequency of binge drinking. It is difficult to speculate whether these results can be generalized to other working populations. The results have to be compared with more direct methods of reaching risk consumers, such as screening and brief interventions. Knowledge about alcohol and the associated risks of alcohol consumption might facilitate the willingness to seek help sooner.

O4-6.2 Preventing alcohol use disorders in adults and young people in England

Excessive drinking is currently the second greatest risk to health and well-being in developed countries such as the UK. Indeed, the wide-scale nature of the acute and chronic health problems,...

Associations of Personality with Alcohol Use Behaviour and Alcohol Problems in Adolescents Receiving Child Welfare Services

Four specific personality factors have been theorized to put adolescents at risk for alcohol abuse: hopelessness (HOP), anxiety sensitivity (AS), sensation seeking (SS), and impulsivity (IMP). We examined relations of these personality factors to various alcohol-related indices in a sample at high risk for alcohol problems—specifically, a child welfare sample. Adolescents (n = 197; mean age = 16.8 years; 43% males) receiving services through Ontario Child Protective Services participated. Personality was assessed with the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS). Alcohol-related outcomes were assessed with the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Results showed that, consistent with theory, HOP, SS, and IMP were all positively correlated with overall drinking levels and overall alcohol problems on the OSDUHS. Unexpectedly, AS was negatively correlated with overall drinking levels and was unrelated to the OSDUHS overall alcohol problems factor. Consistent with hypothesis, HOP was related to an increased likelihood of receiving treatment for an alcohol problem. But, despite greater drinking levels and alcohol problems, IMP was related to a decreased likelihood of receiving alcohol treatment. In addition, SS and HOP were related to earlier onset drinking. Additional exploratory analyses revealed that AS was positively associated with difficulties stopping drinking and negatively associated with discussing such difficulties with school personnel. Implications for treatment and prevention of heavy drinking and alcohol problems in child welfare youth are discussed.

The Relationship of Alcohol Problems to the Risk for Unidirectional and Bidirectional Intimate Partner Violence Among a Sample of Blue-Collar Couples

Understanding how each partner's alcohol problems may contribute to the risk of male-to-female only, female-to-male only, or bidirectional partner violence is important for the prevention and treatment of these problems. Multinomial regression analysis was conducted using data from 848 blue-collar couples. Findings suggest that male alcohol problems are linked to male-to-female and bidirectional partner violence but not with female-to-male partner violence. Female alcohol problems do not appear to be related to any type of partner aggression. Each partner's level of impulsivity was associated with bidirectional partner violence. Male impulsivity was associated with male-to-female violence, and female impulsivity was associated with female-to-male violence. Prevention of male alcohol problems and promotion of nonconfrontational conflict-solving techniques may help reduce partner aggression among couples in the general household population.

NICE work if you can get it: Development of national guidance incorporating screening and brief intervention to prevent hazardous and harmful drinking in England

This paper describes the development of the first set of national guidance focused on the prevention of alcohol problems in England. These guidelines were produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) working with a multidisciplinary program development group of scientists, practitioners and lay members. In this work, screening and brief alcohol interventions represent a key element of a comprehensive public health strategy to prevent alcohol-related risk and harm across the population. The first controlled trials of brief alcohol intervention were published in the mid to late 1980's and there are now around 60 published trials in this field. After 25 years of accumulated evidence in this field, brief alcohol interventions have yet to make a significant impact on routine clinical practice. While it is imperative to have good science to make the case for brief intervention delivery, this work is in vain if practitioners are unwilling or unable to use these interventions with their patients. Evidence from the alcohol field and other clinical areas indicates that national prioritisation of brief alcohol intervention activity, by a body, such as NICE, is likely to be a key driver of implementation by practitioners. This paper summarises a suite of complementary system-level and practice recommendations, which were published by NICE in June 2010, and considers their likely impact on screening and brief alcohol in England.[Kaner E. NICE work if you can get it: Development of national guidance incorporating screening and brief intervention to prevent hazardous and harmful drinking in England.

Effective Prevention against Risky Underage Drinking -- The Need for Higher Excise Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages in Germany

The study aimed to explore the place of taxation in preventing underage binge drinking in Germany. We reviewed evidence on the role of excise taxes on alcohol in preventing alcohol problems and underage drinking. We analyzed historical German data on tax on alcoholic beverages and compared this with European data, finally calculating tax scenarios and their impact on underage binge drinking. Germany applies lower taxes than many other European countries and alcohol beverage prices have decreased by 30% relative to overall price levels during the last 40 years. An optimal tax rate for reducing underage drinking would be set between the European average tax rates and Scandinavian tax rate levels.

Addiction research centres and the nurturing of creativity: The Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems. Past, present and future

The aim of this paper is to offer an account of the history, the current status and the future of substance use research at the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems (SIPA). Although founded originally by the temperance movement in 1901, its policy has shifted over time towards one which accepts an alcohol-consuming culture made up of self-determined but well-informed consumers, while still supporting those who choose to live an abstinent life. In the beginning, SIPA was involved primarily in collecting alcohol-related information and making it available to professionals and the general public. From the late 1960s SIPA began conducting its own research projects; by the mid-1970s it had set up its own in-house research department. In 2001, SIPA was appointed a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Substance Abuse, Research, Prevention and Documentation. As a private non-governmental organization, most of its funding comes from external research commissions. SIPA participates in a variety of international projects [e.g. Gender Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GenACIS), European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD) and Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC)] and contributes to numerous national research projects dealing with substance use. It has also forged close links with more than 50 other research institutions in Switzerland and world-wide. Thanks to its work over the last 30 years, SIPA has become a chief port of call for alcohol use research in Switzerland. In the future, SIPA will continue to monitor substance use, while stepping up its prevention research activities and ensuring that it is able to react more promptly to emerging phenomena.