The normalisation of binge drinking? An historical and cross cultural investigation with implications for action (original) (raw)

The Impact of Alcohol on Society: A Brief Overview

Social Work in Public Health, 2013

Alcohol is the most common drug used among adults in the United States. The use of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of injuries and accidents. Even a single episode of excessive drinking can lead to a negative outcome. Alcoholism and chronic use of alcohol are associated with numerous medical, psychiatric, social, and family problems. Family members, including children, exposed to a first-degree relative's alcohol problem are at risk for problems. Children of parents with alcohol addiction, for example, show higher rates of alcoholism than children who do not have parents with an alcohol addiction. It is important for social workers to keep in mind that alcohol and alcohol problems affect the health, safety, and well-being of people.

Binge Drinking: A Confused Concept and its Contemporary History

Social History of Medicine, 2009

Binge drinking is a matter of current social, political and media concern. It has a longterm, but also a recent, history. This paper discusses the contemporary history of the concept of binge drinking. In recent years there have been significant changes in how binge drinking is defined and conceptualised. Going on a 'binge' used to mean an extended period (days) of heavy drinking, while now it generally refers to a single drinking session leading to intoxication. We argue that the definitional change is related to the shifts in the focus of alcohol policy and alcohol science, in particular in the last two decades, and also in the role of the dominant interest groups. The paper is a case study in the relationship between science and policy. We explore key themes, raise questions and point to a possible agenda for future research. and b.thom@mdx.ac.uk 1 For example, entering the phrase 'women binge drinking' into the Daily Mail on-line search facility produced 'about 9,166' articles

Concepts and items in measuring social harm from drinking

2000

Social epidemiological traditions of asking about problems related to drinking are considered. The issue of the attribution of the problem to drinking, and variations in formulations concerning this, are discussed. Social problems from drinking are inherently properties of social interactions, so that they are composed both of behaviour deemed problematic and of a reaction by another.

The Drinker’s Effect on the Social Environment: A Conceptual Framework for Studying Alcohol’s Harm to Others

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2010

The paper considers conceptual and methodological issues in studying the scope of alcohol's harm to others. Reasons are suggested for the relative neglect of the topic. The approaches in two relevant research traditions are considered: population surveys on alcohol problems, and economic cost of alcohol studies. Ways of conceptualizing and measuring aspects of the drinker's effects on others are considered, in terms of main types of relationship with the other, and in terms of major societal response institutions. The main types of data tend to measure different levels of severity, with population survey data dominated by less severe problems, and response institution data by more severe problems; so both are needed for a three-dimensional view. Research questions for the field and its policy significance are noted.

Alcohol-related negative consequences among drinkers around the world

Addiction, 2011

Aims-This paper examines (1) gender and country differences in negative consequences related to drinking; (2) relative rates of different consequences; (3) country-level predictors of consequences. Design, setting and participants-Multi-level analyses used survey data from the GENACIS collaboration. Measurements-Measures included 17 negative consequences grouped into (a) high endorsement acute, (b) personal and (c) social. Country-level measures included average frequency and quantity of drinking, percent current drinkers, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Human Development Index (HDI). The contents of this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIAAA or NIH, the CIHR or those of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Conflict of Interest Declaration Connection with tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceutical or gaming industry: None Constraints on publishing: None I testify to the accuracy of the above on behalf of all the authors.

The Social Consequences of Binge Drinking Among 24- to 32-Year-Olds in Six European Countries

Substance Use & Misuse, 2010

and the United Kingdom (UK) responded to questions about their drinking habits and social consequences directly resulting from their drinking. Survey methods varied from quota sampling with face-to-face interviewing in Spain and the UK to telephone surveys in Denmark and Sweden. Response rates varied from 50% to 72%. "Binge drinking" defined as a usual amount of more than 8 UK "units" for men and more than 6 units for women was more likely than moderate drinking to lead to social consequences, fights, or being asked to cut down on drinking. There were highly significant differences between the countries both in the percentages of "heavy" drinkers and in the adverse consequences of binge drinking. In Spain, the UK, and the Czech Republic binge drinking was more likely to lead to adverse consequences than was binge drinking in the other three countries. Male gender, low educational level, high drinking frequency, and single marital status were also significantly associated with adverse social consequences from drinking, but none of these variables explained the country differences. The presence of children had little effect.

The public perception of the risks and benefits of alcohol consumption

Australian Journal of Public Health, 1992

A survey of the community was undertaken in August 1989 to assess the public's perception of the risks and benefits of alcohol use, and their understanding of recommended levels of safe alcohol consumption. A household sample of 500 men and women (1 8 to 65 years) in metropolitan and rural New South Wales were asked their opinions about the risks and benefits of alcohol use, the health and social consequences of 'drinking too much', and the number of standard drinks that would produce a low, medium and high risk to the health of an adult man and woman. The major perceived benefits of alcohol use were relaxation and medication; the major health and social problems attributed to alcohol abuse were brain and liver damage, and domestic violence and family problems. The quantities of alcohol which respondents thought could be consumed with a 'low' risk to health were close