Drink deaths will cost an extra 250,000 lives by 2031 Source – The Guardian Up to 250,000 people could die because of alcohol over the next 20 years unless ministers take strong action to tackle Britain’s chronic drink problems, leading doctors are warning.

The prediction comes in the edition of the Lancet medical journal by three senior experts on alcohol, two of whom are advising the coalition on how to reduce drink-related harm. In a scathing critique of the government’s approach to alcohol, the trio accuses ministers of pursuing policies that will make no difference to the soaring rates of drink-related liver disease. Ministers, including the health secretary, Andrew Lansley, are “too close” to the drinks industry and too reluctant to take effective steps, they say. They welcome the government’s decision to continue raising the cost of drinks at 2% above inflation.

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However, “plans to ban the sale of alcohol beverages below cost (duty plus VAT) and to increase duty on beer over 7.5% strength is inconsequential because of the tiny fraction of sales that fall into either category”, write Dr Nick Sheron, Professor Ian Gilmore and Professor Chris Hawkey.

“These policies suggest that the government remains too close to the industry and lacks clear aspiration to reduce the impact of cheap, readily available, and heavily marketed alcohol on individuals and on society,” they write.

Sheron, a clinical hepatologist, and Gilmore, the chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance of medical groups and charities, both serve on the Department of Health’s Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network along with representatives of the drinks industry.

The doctors estimated how many lives would be saved or lost in England and Wales by 2031, depending on whether ministers pursued a strategy of only minimal change or robust regulation, over and above those that are already expected on current trends. Liver deaths have more than doubled in the UK since 1986.

Introducing a minimum price per unit of alcohol and adopting a French-style ban on drink advertising and sponsorship could together see liver death rates fall from the existing estimate of 18,000-30,000 to just 2,500 by 2019, they calculate. But allowing the current upward trajectory of such mortality to continue unchecked would lead to 77,000 extra liver deaths by 2031. However, the wider harms from alcohol, such as deaths from accidents and violence, could mean that as many as 160,000 to 250,000 lives are lost or saved over the next two decades, depending on whether effective action is taken or not.

Historical precedents, such as action to tackle the gin epidemic of 1730-50 and the Defence of the Realm Act in 1914, show that raising the price of alcohol and restricting its availability are the two proven ways of reducing drink-related harm, the authors argue. Yet ministers, they say, have rejected major changes in both areas.

“How many more people have to die from alcohol-related conditions, and how many more families devastated by the consequences before the government takes the situation as seriously as it took the dangers of tobacco?” asked Sir Richard Thompson, president of the Royal College of Physicians, which represents hospital doctors.

He accused ministers of ignoring international evidence showing that price rises and reduced availability are the best two ways to reduce the consumption of alcohol. “Just as the government would expect us to treat our patients with effective medicines, we expect the government to take much stronger action to protect people from alcohol-related harm,” he said. “When will that happen?” The Department of Health rejected the doctors’ views. “The government has wasted no time in taking tough action to tackle problem drinking, including plans to stop supermarkets selling below-cost alcohol and working to introduce a tougher licensing regime,” said a spokeswoman. Reforming public health would also help, and there will be a new alcohol strategy in the summer, she added.

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Related:  How to Stop Drinking Alcohol for Good (Backed by Science)

 

The price of a drink Survey reveals cost of alcohol abuse Source – The Guardian

The toll that alcohol takes on many people’s lives is laid bare in a survey which has prompted fresh calls for action to tackle widespread chronic drinking across Britain. Alcohol’s role in everything from injury and relationship breakdown to trouble with the police, emerges in a poll commissioned by a group of senior doctors. Some 11% of people polled have seen a friend or relative’s relationship end as a direct result of heavy drinking. One in five (21%) know someone who has driven while over the legal alcohol limit. And 51% know someone who has been a victim of drink-related violence, or has been attacked themselves. The survey also found that 14% of children are being brought up in a family where at least one adult has a drink problem.

The YouGov poll, commissioned by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), paints a graphic picture of alcohol’s many negative consequences. The survey of 2,221 people found that: – 14% admit they have injured themselves while drunk; 2% have injured others. – 43% know at least one person with a drink problem, and 5% say they know more than five people. – 12% have a family member who they believe drinks too much. – 13% go to work at least occasionally feeling unwell due to a heavy drinking session, and 9% have taken time off for that reason. – 4% of women and 1% of men have been involved in domestic abuse linked to alcohol. – 11% know someone who has had to be treated in A&E because of alcohol. – 5% of men have ended up in trouble with the police for that reason. Young people are disproportionately likely to suffer harm.

Some 27% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 31% of 25 to 34-year-olds admit injuring themselves while drunk, while 12% and 15% respectively of the same age groups have taken time off work due to drink. “These findings show there’s a big problem in terms of harm, aggression, antisocial behaviour and actually some very sad outcomes,” said BSG spokesman Professor Chris Hawkey. “Dysfunctional and violent behaviour due to alcohol have become social norms. There used to be shame attached to alcohol dependence and its consequences, but clearly there’s much less of that around now.” He called on ministers to introduce a minimum price of 50p a unit and implement tough restrictions on the advertising of alcohol based on those in France, which bans drink ads on TV and in the cinema, and forbids alcohol sponsorship of sporting or cultural events.

Alcohol Concern, which represents drink treatment services, said the poll undermined industry claims that only a small number of people were affected by excess consumption. “This research shows drunkenness has become a cultural norm and is negatively impacting the lives of millions of people, many of whom are responsible drinkers,” said Don Shenker, the charity’s chief executive. He also called for tougher action against drinks retailers and promoters. “Their irresponsible practices are creating the mirage that drinking is a social right with no consequences.

The reality is far from that. What we have is alcohol being sold for pennies and an accepted culture of excess which blights our town centres and affects friends, neighbours and loved ones,” he added.Professor Steve Field, until recently president of the Royal College of GPs, welcomed the coalition’s plan to ban the sale of alcohol at below cost price. “This is a step in the right direction,” Field said, but added : “The policy must be kept under review: if it is not shown to make a difference on the public’s health, and on antisocial behaviour, then I would urge ministers to look again at a minimum price per unit of alcohol.” A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “The majority of people drink responsibly but these findings reflect that alcohol consumption is a serious problem for too many. No one thing will solve this complex challenge of alcohol misuse and the Government is taking action on all fronts including banning the sale of alcohol below cost price and giving local authorities more power over local licensing decisions.” She added: “It is not clear that national minimum unit pricing is the best way to reduce harm so we need to look at other options in England.” Return to All News

A study conducted by the Toulouse University Hospital, and published in the British Medical Journal, into the link between drinking habits and health have concluded that although their French participants drank more regularly than the Irish, it was the Irish binge drinking habit that resulted in higher levels of poor heart health.

The study compared the men’s choice of drinks, amount of drinks and regularity of drinking as well as their standard of overall health over a ten year period. The findings were that even if the French and Irish men drank the same amounts, over time it was the regularity and type of alcohol that had the most effect on the results. The Irish men tended to drink over the recommended amounts in single ‘sessions’, what is classified as Binge Drinking, where their French counterparts tended to drink smaller amounts, more regularly. The research found that three quarters of the French men tended to drink every day compared to 12% of the Irish, but although drinking more often they drank considerably less each time. Only 0.5% of the French admitted to drinking 5 small wines, or 3 pints of beer/lager in one sitting.

In Ireland, that number shoots to 9%. With the numbers involved, that means that although 7,500 French men admitted drinking daily compared to the Irish 1,200, only 50 French men could be considered ‘binge drinkers’ compared to 900 Irish. The 10 year follow up found that the binge drinking men had double the risk of heart attacks or death form heart disease than the regular drinkers. A representative of the British Heart Foundation, senior cardiac nurse Amy Thompson, has stated: “This reinforces what we already know, that drinking high levels of alcohol can be harmful to your heart.” The British Medical Journal The British Heart Foundation.

The Scottish Government will “carefully consider” Labour calls to ban caffeinated alcoholic drinks,

Nicola Sturgeon the Health Secretary has stated. The move would actually put a limit on the amount of caffeine allowed in a drink by law, effectively banning drinks like the notorious Buckfast Tonic wine, which relies heavily on its high caffeine content for its popularity. Miss Sturgeon has insisted that there is no evidence that this move alone would protect health or prevent crime in line with European Law. Experts told Holyrood’s Health Committee on Wednesday there was no evidence to suggest the tonic wine caused or increased violence. Ms Sturgeon told MSP’s during First Minister’s Questions: “I have consistently said that I remain open to the consideration of any proposals by Labour or others that I would contribute to reducing alcohol related harm.

We have a 92% successful treatment through recovery rate here at Abbeycare, having monitored and analysed completion rates of our clients at Abbeycare alcohol treatment clinic .

Completion rates were highest for intensive inpatient alcohol treatment (92%). We have established that factors associated with treatment completion included a thorough screening and assessment at the point of admission, education, age, ethnicity, and existence of a secondary drug problem.

We have concluded that most importantly the fit between clients and treatment programs is the single most important factor in explaining why some clients complete treatment and others drop out.

That is why at Abbeycare we will work with the person to identify their needs and the best pathway for them on their own journey to recovery by offering the full variety of evidence based pathways.

Alcohol poisoning is more than often a result of binge drinking and if it happens it may be worth seeking alcohol treatment. Alcohol Poisoning occurs when a person drinks too much alcohol in a short space of time. Alcohol treatment can help identify whether a person is regularly putting themselves at risk of alcohol poisoning.

Essentially the central nervous system is impacted when too much alcohol is consumed, which makes breathing and heart rate slow down, and perhaps most importantly while also compromising your gag reflex.

It is extremely important that alcohol poisoning is dealt with as soon as possible if they are not the consequences can be deadly. Beware! Telling the person in question to drink coffee, sleep it off or be sick will NOT help them.

What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning?

• Confusion
• Lack of coordination
• Vomiting
• Irregular or slow breathing
• Blue-tinged or pale skin
• Low body temperature
• Being conscious but unresponsive
• Unconsciousness passing out
• Seizures can also become apparent

Treatment for alcohol poisoning

Hydrating the patient and making sure oxygen intake is adequate is very important to recovery. As stated before, binge drinking is one of the main causes of alcohol poisoning.

Binge drinking can cause a number of injuries, overdoses and mental health problems. If you think you or someone close to you binge drinks, it may be time to seek alcohol treatment or rehab help. When a person binge drinks it indicates that they may have a serious alcohol problem.

Signs and Symptoms of Binge drinking

It is very easy to be and remain in denial about our own or loved one’s addiction. If you recognise these signs and symptoms of binge drinking or alcohol abuse it may be time to seek alcohol treatment.

• Increase in alcohol tolerance
• Drinking to relieve stress or emotional pain
• Memory blackouts
• Lost interest in usual activities
• Money troubles
• Physical deterioration
• Avoiding family and friends
• Many failed attempts to control or stop alcohol dependence
• An urgency to have that “first drink”
• Has dark moods and is irritable
• Guilt and remorse about drinking dependence
• Lack of concentration

 

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You withdraw from alcohol only after you have become dependent on alcohol. In other words, once your body and mind have become used to the presence of alcohol in your system, you are liable to suffer physical and emotional distress when the alcohol is removed.

Typical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• » exaggerated trembling
• » sweating
• » shivering
• » blurred vision
• » short-term confusion
• » hyperventilation and panic

 

However, the clearest indication of alcohol withdrawal is that the other symptoms are quickly eliminated when you take another drink. Putting alcohol back into your system makes you stop panicking, restores your composure, and soon the trembling and sweating passes.

Having experienced withdrawal a first time, you may become anxious just at the thought of being without alcohol. As a result, the need to obtain more alcohol is likely to be in your mind throughout the day. Likewise, your first thought after waking up (because you’ve had a few hours without alcohol) is likely to be about drink.

Alcohol withdrawal is NOT a bad hangover, although it shares symptoms in common with a hangover. A hangover is a sign that you have drunk too much, and the effects soon pass. Withdrawal is a sign that you need more alcohol in order just to function, and the symptoms will get worse and worse as the hour’s pass.

If you are alcohol dependent, then withdrawal may be a devastating – and potentially fatal – experience. Neither you nor anybody with you should underestimate the impact of withdrawal. When you suddenly remove alcohol from your system, then you run many risks, including the possibility of a seizure, as well as becoming unable to negotiate stairs, or use cars, kitchens or bathrooms safely. You are also liable to panic, and eventually will probably be driven to obtain more alcohol ‘at any cost’.

If you suffer alcohol withdrawal, the clear advice is that you should not suddenly stop drinking alcohol except under medical supervision. Instead, you must moderate your alcohol intake, then seek help and support immediately to enable you to quit safely and effectively.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

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Simply put, alcohol withdrawal is the stopping and reduction in the level and/or quantity of regular alcohol intake.

When you have consumed a rather high amount of alcohol than your body can carry consistently for a period of time let’s say a week, a month, a year or even more, and you decide to stop or reduce regular alcohol intake over this period of time, that is the definition of alcohol withdrawal.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

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There are a number of symptoms to look out for when you are withdrawing from alcohol.

Typical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include:

1. Exaggerated trembling
2. Sweating
3. Shivering
4. Blurred vision
5. Short-term confusion
6. Hyperventilation and panic

 

Let’s look at the above-mentioned symptoms in detail.

 

1.) Exaggerated trembling

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The occurrence of exaggerated trembling as a symptom of alcohol withdrawal is mostly dependent on the severity of  withdrawal syndrome.

Another name for exaggerated trembling is tremors and this can be caused by several factors. But as it relates to alcohol withdrawal the most common forms of tremors or exaggerated trembling are cerebellar tremor and enhanced physiologic tremor.

Exaggerated trembling can begin from about 6 hours after you has his or her last drink or may begin sooner. The signs for exaggerated trembling include trouble drawing or writing with the hands, a shaky voice and rhythmic shaking of the hands or the body.

 

2.) Sweating

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Sweating as a symptom of alcohol withdrawal is dependent on the severity of the condition. That is for how the person has been dependent or addicted to alcohol. Severe sweating as a symptom can occur up to 10 days after the person had his or her last drink.

 

3.)  Shivering

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Another symptom of alcohol withdrawal is shivering. Shivering as a result of withdrawal from alcohol is a sign of a severe case of withdrawal.

Shivering can start to occur 2 to 4 days after the person had his or her last drink.

In a case of severe shivering, the patient can be recommended for treatment immediately.

 

4.) Blurred vision

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We all know how important our eyes and sight is to us in our daily commute and affairs. Alcohol for its part has different side effects and effects on the human body including our sight.

One of the symptoms is blurred vision and most people who have had symptoms of alcohol withdrawal have suffered from blurry vision at one time or the other when trying to give up alcohol.

Double vision or blurry vision after drinking alcohol can be temporary effects of intoxication or a hangover. This effect is not long lasting as it is just due to hangover and its effects clears after you are sobered thereby clearing your sight in 24 hours.

Apart from the blurry vision withdrawal symptoms which is just a symptom on its own, you can also experience blurred vision during detox.

Hangover blurred vision is an indication of high level of binge drinking.

It is important that the dangers of drinking, especially to your eyes is understood clearly. This is because alcohol addiction and problem drinking can cause long term damages to the eyes.

In a severe case, excess alcohol consumption can lead to blindness after the human brain’s ability to process visual input has been impaired.

 

5.) Short-term confusion

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Short-term confusion is also part of the symptoms. For someone going through alcohol withdrawal to suffer the short-term confusion symptom depends on the severity of the person’s withdrawal symptoms.

Short-term confusion symptoms can be noticed during the withdrawal stage. The symptoms could be mild to the moderate and even severe. Short-term confusion is mostly a symptom of a case of moderate alcohol withdrawal.

In a situation where the confusion being experienced by the patient goes beyond short-term confusion, it has then crossed the moderate stage to the severe stage. Which can then be ascribed as Delirium Tremens.

What is Delirium Tremens (DTs)?

Delirium Tremens is a situation whereby the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal have become severe. At this stage, the symptoms have gone beyond mild and moderate, and has become severe.

The condition is characterised by changes in the nervous system.

Which also changes the mental status of the person. The condition is commonly present in people who have abused alcohol for a long period of time usually for more than 10 years. At this stage, the alcohol withdrawal short-term confusion symptom becomes a case of severe confusion. Delirium Tremens, however, are present in only about 5% of patients who are going through withdrawal from alcohol.

 

6.) Hyperventilation and panic

Hyperventilation happens to almost everyone experiencing alcohol withdrawal. This symptom is often noticed in people who have lived a long alcohol dependent live.

In this case, hyperventilation does not come alone. It works with panic. Hyperventilation and panic as symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are evidence of a life of long dependence on alcohol use.

The longer you have lived a life of alcohol dependence, the more severe the hyperventilation and panic can get.

The clearest indication of alcohol withdrawal is that the other symptoms are quickly eliminated when you take another drink. Putting alcohol back into your body makes you stop panicking, restores your composure, and soon the trembling and sweating passes.

Having experienced withdrawal for the time, you may become anxious just at the thought of being without alcohol. As a result, the need to drink more alcohol is likely to be in your mind throughout the day. Likewise, your first thought after waking up (because you’ve had a few hours without alcohol) is likely to be about a drink.

Alcohol withdrawal is not a bad hangover, although it shares symptoms in common with a hangover. A hangover is a sign that you have drank too much, and the effects soon passes.

Withdrawal is a sign that you need more alcohol in order just to function, and the symptoms will get worse and worse as the hour’s pass.

If you are alcohol dependent, then withdrawal may be a devastating experience. Neither you nor anybody with you should underestimate the impact of withdrawal. When you suddenly remove alcohol from your system, then you run several risks, including the possibility of a seizure, as well as becoming unable to negotiate stairs, or use cars, kitchens or bathrooms safely. You are also liable to panic, and eventually will probably be driven to obtain more alcohol ‘at any cost’.

 

Other Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

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Apart from the symptoms which we have mentioned and discussed, there are other symptoms that you could expect.

 

A.) Headache

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Headache is a symptom of so many health conditions.

Usually people who are going through alcohol withdrawal do experience some levels of headache with varying levels of severity. Some people can also experience a foggy head as part of their headache. While on alcohol withdrawal, you may also experience headache and dizziness at the same time.

 

B.) Insomnia

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Insomnia may probably be the most challenging symptom of alcohol withdrawal. You will find it difficult to sleep.

Insomnia usually occurs in the early stages and could also last long after the effects of other symptoms have subsided.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms and dizziness caused by insomnia will also affect the person’s health. It is also a threat to the person’s mental health and wellness.

Should you experience insomnia, it is important to seek help from a medical doctor.

 

Conclusion

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If you suffer any of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, the clear advice is that you should not suddenly stop drinking alcohol except under medical supervision. Instead, you must moderate your alcohol intake, then seek help and support immediately to enable you to quit safely and effectively.

While you are on alcohol withdrawal, you should bear in mind and expect any or a combination of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms described and understand that blurred vision after quitting drinking is different from the blurred vision being experienced as the effect of a hangover.