Alcohol Self-Help News

Medical officer calls for set price for alcohol

fredjoiners — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:26:00 +0000

The British chief medical officer has called for the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol as figures reveal a rise in the hospitalisation of young people for mental disorders related to alcohol.

The Liberal Democrats obtained figures showing that more than 1,000 under-14s, including 44 under-10s, were admitted to hospital last year in England for mental and behavioural disorders related to alcohol. More than 5,000 14- to 17-year olds were admitted, a 30 per cent increase from five years ago.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster, said: “These astronomical figures show once again that binge drinking is out of control in this country. It’s particularly shocking that so many of these admissions relate to children under the age of 10. It is now imperative that parents and schools get the resources they need to educate children from a very young age about the dangers of alcohol.”

Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson’s report on the state of public health, published yesterday, calls for a minimum pricing of 50p per unit to be introduced to reduce the consumption of alcohol. The report also calls for “passive drinking” to be highlighted as a key issue. “Passive drinking” is when children and others are harmed by other people’s drinking, in cases ranging from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, affecting more than 6,000 babies a year, to child protection cases, a quarter of which involve alcohol.

More information at; Children & Young People Now is the official publication for members of the National Children’s Bureau and The National Youth Agency.

Australian Medicos Support British Plan to Raise Alcohol Prices

fredjoiners — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:58:59 +0000

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) thinks the UK chief medical officer’s proposal to increase alcohol prices to curb binge drinking is a good idea.

In England, the debate to increase prices per unit of alcohol was sparked after the Scottish Government announced plans to regulate prices.

President of the AMA Dr Rosanna Capolingua says increasing prices means teenagers are unable to afford the drinks.

She says a similar scheme in Australia would benefit the health of the wider population.

Full story at ABC Rural

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Female Binge Drinkers Lose Out

fredjoiners — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:20:00 +0000

College Men Unimpressed by Female Binge Drinkers

Some college women may drink excessively to gain the attention of men, but new research from Loyola Marymount University suggests that drunk women are not as attractive to men as women believe.

Science Daily reported March 11 that the majority (71 percent) of women surveyed overestimated — by an average of one-and-a-half drinks — the number of alcohol beverages men wanted their female friends, dates, or girlfriends to drink.

Researchers surveyed 3,616 college students (ages 18-25) at Loyola Marymount University and the University of Washington, and asked women questions about their perceptions of what college men want women to drink, as well as the relationship between drinking and sexual attraction. The researchers then compared the women’s answers with men’s actual preferences.

Women who overestimated men’s preferences were more likely to drink excessively, according to the study.

"There is a great, and risky, disconnect here between the sexes," said lead researcher Joseph LaBrie, who teaches at Loyola Marymount. "While not all women may be drinking simply to get a guy’s attention, this may help explain why more women are drinking at dangerous levels."

The results were published in the March 2009 journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.

From Join Together Online

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Drinking Risk

fredjoiners — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:07:09 +0000

New Website Offers Tools to Assess and Address Drinking Risks

The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has created a new website called "Rethinking Drinking," designed to help users define their drinking patterns and develop strategies and options for dealing with alcohol-related problems, the Wall Street Journal reported March 10.

"Most people don’t know what ‘drink responsibly’ means — they think it means not getting tanked," says Mark Willenbring, director of treatment and recovery research at NIAAA. The new website is part of a broader effort to increase understanding of the array of alcohol-related disorders and redefine the way terms like "abuse" and "dependence" are used.

The website utilizes an interactive form that allows users to enter daily and weekly drinking amounts to determine how their consumption compares with national averages. The site has a drink-size chart and a content calculator to aid in determining what comprises a "standard" drink.

The NIAAA considers the consumption of no more than four standard-size alcoholic drinks a day for a man or no more than three for a woman as placing individuals at low risk for serious alcohol problems. The weekly "low-risk" limit is no more than 14 drinks for a man or seven for a woman.

More daily or weekly consumption creates a higher risk of abuse or dependence. Very few Americans exceed the weekly limits without exceeding the daily limitations, Willenbring said.

"Rethinking Drinking" presents options and strategies to the user — from "space and pace" (no more than one drink per hour) strategies to "avoiding triggers" (understanding the external situations that may provoke drinking). The site uses an "urge tracker" to monitor events surrounding the urge to drink, along with a section on "refusal skills" for coping with social situations.

The site also features a downloadable print version that Willenbring said will serve as a resource for those who counsel people concerned about their drinking habits.

From Join Together Online Rethinking Drinking

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AA Works for Steven Adler

fredjoiners — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:48:18 +0000

Back from the brink and ready to rock

After a two-decade battle with addiction, Guns and Roses member Adler has managed to put together six months of clean time, he told The Daily Times this week — and that makes the past six months a rebirth of sorts.

"Making it one day is a long time, and I’ve made it, like, six months," he said, voice filled with jubilation and the enthusiasm of newfound sobriety. "The last time I did anything goofy like that was on the show ("Sober House," a VH-1 reality show spin-off of "Celebrity Rehab," both of which featured Adler), when I got arrested (last summer). I’ve been so lucky, and I’ve got a great team of people around me; I’ve got my best friend Slash back in my life; and I’m happier than ever.

"It’s like I’m seeing things for the first time. To have survived everything I went through — a stroke, the band — and get a second chance at life, it’s crazy. And I’m so grateful I did those two shows. As much as I despised rehab and the whole AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) crap, it works!"

"I just wanted to give myself a chance to get better than I was yesterday. That first few weeks were the toughest, because once the drugs wear off, all of the emotions come out. The hardest part to get through was that first month."

Full story at The Daily Times

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Pajama Gamblers

fredjoiners — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:12:10 +0000

Pajama gamblers could lose their shirts: Online gambling can be dangerously comfortable

People who gamble from the comfort of their home tend to think they’re more in control of their gambling than people who gamble in casinos, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Authors June Cotte (University of Western Ontario) and Kathryn A. Latour (University of Nevada-Las Vegas) found surprisingly little previous research on their subject: the habits and motivations of online gamblers, who contribute to a $10 billion a year industry.

Their study found that, unlike casino gamblers, who seek thrills and social experiences, online gamblers seek the anonymity their home computers provide. "For casino gamblers, gambling provides a perceived social connection with unknown others in a sense of shared fates and temporary community. Online gamblers, on the contrary, perceive a lack of social connections in the online realm."

The researchers conducted a study of 30 Las Vegas gamblers. Ten were online gamblers and 20 were casino gamblers, and all considered themselves to be regular gamblers. The study involved in-depth interviews using visual images and collages created by the participants.

In the course of the study, the authors found significant differences in perceptions and attitudes between people who gamble in casinos and people who gamble on their home computers. Because sensations are not as intense in online gambling, online gamblers tend to play for longer amounts of time, and they think they’re more in control of their gambling, the authors found.

The authors believe that regulating online gambling may remove the excitement of doing something illicit.

"When gambling consumption moves into the home, gambling behavior becomes a part of everyday living. When not seen as reserved solely as behavior for an outing, gambling is more likely to become an insidiously integrated component of a consumer’s life," the authors conclude.

Research report; June Cotte and Kathryn A. Latour. "Blackjack in the Kitchen: Understanding Online Versus Casino Gambling" Journal of Consumer Research: February 2009.

Helping Teens Cope with Stress

fredjoiners — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Stress is a common problem among teens, and as a parent, you have a role in helping the teen in your life cope with it. So what exactly is stress? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stress is the body’s physical and psychological response to anything perceived as overwhelming. This may be viewed as a result of life’s demands—pleasant or unpleasant—and the body’s lack of resources to meet them.

While stress is a natural part of life, it often creates imbalance in the body, especially a teen’s body, which is already experiencing so many changes. Girls also report feeling "frequently stressed" more than boys. Visit Teens Today: An Inside Look to learn more about how teen girls and boys change from early to middle to late adolescence.

A certain amount of stress can be helpful as a way of keeping your teen motivated. But too much or too little may render them ineffective and interfere with their relationships at home and socially, as well as their physical well-being. According to a recent survey, 43 percent of 13- to 14-year-olds say they feel stressed every single day; by ages 15 to 17, the number rises to 59 percent. The day-to-day pressures teens experience, such as the pressure to fit in and to be successful, can lead to stress. Jobs and family economics can also prove stressful for teens, as nearly two-thirds of them say they are "somewhat" or "very concerned" about their personal finances.³

If stress becomes unmanageable and teens are left to their own devices without guidance from a parent or caregiver, they may find their own ways of coping. Sometimes these coping mechanisms involve unhealthy behaviors such as drinking, smoking marijuana, and engaging in other risky behaviors.⁴ Here’s how you can help the teen in your life with healthy, productive coping strategies.

Recognize when your teen is stressed-out. Is your teen getting adequate rest? Are they eating well-balanced meals? Do they ever get to take breaks to restore their energy? If these needs are unmet, your teen will show it through chronic moodiness, irritability, anxiety and/or long bouts of sadness. If you have a teen daughter, be particularly aware if she is obsessing about looks or weight.
Introduce positive coping strategies to your teen. Let’s face it, stress will be a part of your teen’s life. Help them identify ways in which they can relieve their stress in a healthy way. It can be as simple as having your teen talk to you about their problems or pressures. Other ideas include: exercising, getting enough sleep, listening to music, writing in a journal, keeping a healthy diet, seeing a counselor and reminding them of their accomplishments.
Be a good example. Young people often pick up their coping strategies by watching their parents. If a child sees a parent drink an alcoholic beverage or smoke a cigarette every time they are overwhelmed, they are more likely to imitate the same behavior. So, be mindful of your own reactions to stress and set a good example for your children.

If signs of stress persist, ask for help. Some sources you can consult include: a health care provider, mental health center, social worker, counselor, nurse, therapist or clergy.

Full story at Managing Teen Stress

AUSTRALIANS NEW DRINKING GUIDELINES

fredjoiners — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:34:00 +0000

AUSTRALIANS URGED TO ADOPT NEW COMMONSENSE DRINKING GUIDELINES

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) has urged Australians to adopt the new National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Drinking Guidelines as a commonsense approach to reducing harm from drinking and moving away from our damaging drinking culture.

“It is time we woke up to the reality that we are drinking too much as a community and as individuals. The increase in drinking by young people in recent years is especially worrying,” said Professor Mike Daube, President of the PHAA.

“The new guidelines will not please everybody, but the job of the NHMRC is to call the evidence as they see it. Some people may find it hard to accept that more than two drinks a day puts them at increased long-term risk, and more than four a day at real short term risk, but the evidence is conclusive. This is commonsense advice based on sound science.”

“The NHMRC report and recommendations also show yet again why action is needed to stem the massive tide of alcohol promotion directed at young people – who are at the greatest risk of so many alcohol problems.”

The new Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol contain four simple rules for reducing risk of alcohol-related harm in both the long and short term. Healthy adults are encouraged not to drink more than two standard drinks a day to reduce long term harm and no more than four standards drinks on any occasion to reduce the risk of short term harm. No drinking at all is advised for children under-18 and women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.

“People must make their own judgements about what they do, but the role of the NHMRC is to give the Australian people the best scientific advice – which is that we are currently drinking too much. It is very important that people are given clear information that spells out potential risks so that they can make their decisions understanding what both the immediate and long term consequences may be,” said Professor Daube.

The Drinking Guidelines take a new approach by considering both short and long term consequences, as well as providing advice that is relevant in both contexts. The guidelines also encourage people to consider the impact their drinking has on those around them when making decisions about their level of alcohol intake.

Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol Commercials Increase Drinking

fredjoiners — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:03:37 +0000

Alcohol Commercials and Movie Scenes Influence Drinking

In this study participants who watched films accompanied by alcohol commercials were more likely to drink beer or wine during the movies than those who viewed the flick minus the alcohol ads, according to researchers.

HealthDay News reported March 4 that the study involved 40 young Dutch men ages 18 to 29 who were invited to watch the movie ‘American Pie’ (which contained extensive drinking scenes) or ‘40 Days and 40 Nights’ (which only had a few scenes with alcohol) in a home cinema equipped with a stocked refrigerator.

Those who watched the films interrupted by two alcohol ads drank more than the control group, and those who watched American Pie drank more than those who viewed 40 Days and 40 Nights. "Our study showed that the portrayal of alcohol and drinking characters in movies directly leads to more alcohol consumption in young adult male viewers when alcohol is available within the situation," the authors concluded.

"It’s one of those things the majority of people have assumed to be the case, but it’s nice to have the empirical evidence," said Jeffrey T. Parsons, chair of the psychology department at Hunter College, who was not affiliated with the study.

The research was published online in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism.

From; Join Together Online

The twelve-step recovery model of Alcoholics Anonymous

fredjoiners — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:07:52 +0000

The twelve-step recovery model of AA: a voluntary mutual help association

Alcoholism treatment has evolved to mean professionalized, scientifically based rehabilitation.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is not a treatment method; it is far better understood as a Twelve-Step Recovery Program within a voluntary self-help/mutual aid organization of self-defined alcoholics.

The Twelve-Step Recovery Model is elaborated in three sections, patterned on the AA logo (a triangle within a circle): The triangle’s legs represent recovery, service, and unity;

The circle represents the reinforcing effect of the three legs upon each other as well as the "technology" of the sharing circle and the fellowship.
The first leg of the triangle, recovery, refers to the journey of individuals to abstinence and a new "way of living."
The second leg, service, refers to helping other alcoholics which also connects the participants into a fellowship.
The third leg, unity, refers to the fellowship of recovering alcoholics, their groups, and organizations.

The distinctive AA organizational structure of an inverted pyramid is one in which the members in autonomous local groups direct input to the national service bodies creating a democratic, egalitarian organization maximizing recovery.

Analysts describe the AA recovery program as complex, implicitly grounded in sound psychological principles, and more sophisticated than is typically understood.

AA provides a nonmedicalized and anonymous "way of living" in the community and should probably be referred to as the Twelve-Step/Twelve Tradition Recovery Model in order to clearly differentiate it from professionally based twelve-step treatments.

From; Borkman T. The twelve-step recovery model of AA: a voluntary mutual help association. Recent Dev Alcohol. 2008;18:9-35.