scholarly journals Estimating need for alcohol treatment in Ireland using national treatment surveillance data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Marie Carew ◽  
Derek O’Neill ◽  
Suzi Lyons ◽  
Bobby P. Smyth
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Alcohol Treatment ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
National Treatment ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
Problem Alcohol Use ◽  
Treatment Entry

Abstract Background International evidence indicates that about 10% of people with alcohol dependence will seek and commence treatment each year. Based upon Irish estimates of prevalence of dependence, a target of 690.0 treated cases per 100,000 population per annum is expected. Aims This study analyses routine national surveillance data on alcohol treatment to measure how treatment need is being met. Methods National treatment surveillance data on problem alcohol use collected by the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) were analysed. The study included cases resident in Ireland, aged 18–64 years entering treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) between 2015 and 2019 (n = 44,079). Treatment rates were calculated per 100,000 of the population. Descriptive and exploratory statistics were used to describe characteristics of cases treated. Results National rate of treated AUD was 270 cases per 100,000 annually, with a rate of treated alcohol dependence of 165/100,000. There was a fivefold difference between the lowest and highest rates (119 cases per 100,000 in Meath versus 633 in Waterford). Drinking patterns indicate high levels of alcohol consumption and prolonged use prior to treatment. The use of other drugs alongside alcohol was common. Conclusions Despite high rates of alcohol consumption and dependence, the rate of treatment entry nationally is sub-optimal, although there are wide geographic variations. There is a need to better understand the reasons for low treatment entry rates in Ireland for people with alcohol dependence. Monitoring and surveillance play a key role in measuring the successful efforts to reduce the harm of alcohol.

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Drinking Patterns, Alcohol Use and Related Medical Morbidities in a Secondary Versus Tertiary Setting

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-157
Author(s):  
A Risal ◽  
H Tharoor
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorders ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patterns Of Drinking ◽  
Level Hospital

Background Alcohol Dependence exists in different spectrums at different settings and associated with various medical morbidities, disability and health care utilization costs. Objectives To study the drinking patterns, alcohol use disorders and alcohol related medical morbidities in patients diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) and attending out / in-patient psychiatry services at secondary and tertiary care centre. Methods A cross-sectional comparative study was done among the patients diagnosed with ADS attending psychiatry services at District hospital, Udupi and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Serial sampling was done. Patients having any other psychiatric illnesses were excluded. The two groups were compared in relation to socio-demographic variables, drinking related variables, patterns of drinking and alcohol related medical morbidities identified. Results Significant differences in some socio-demographic parameters among the patients from the two different treatment centers were found with secondary level hospital (N=50) having more illiterate, laborers and below the poverty line population in comparison to the tertiary level hospital (N=75). Maximum frequency of gastro-intestinal morbidities was seen in both the hospital population, irrespective of the patterns of drinking. Conclusion Alcohol use disorders and alcohol related medical morbidities show some variations in their presentations in the different treatment centers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v11i2.12492 Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.11(2) 2013: 152-157

scholarly journals Sociodemographic Profiles And Psychiatric Comorbidities Among Patients With Alcohol Dependence In Western Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-37
Author(s):  
M. Belbase ◽  
R.K. Jalan ◽  
J. Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Gender Difference ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Psychiatric Comorbidities ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Daily Amount ◽  
The Mean

Introduction: Alcohol is a potent drug that causes acute and chronic changes in almost all neurochemical systems and heavy drinking can produce serious temporary psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety and psychoses. Alcoholism is clinically heterogenous disorder with variable age of onset, drinking patterns, severity and comorbidity with other mental disorders. There is a gender difference in many aspect of alcohol use. The aim of the study was to study the sociodemographic profile, severity, gender difference and psychiatric comorbidities in patient with alcohol dependence syndrome in Nepalese population. Material And Method: This is a hospital based study done in patients coming to Nepalgunj Medical College, Kohalpur over a period of one year from June 2019 to May 2020 on consecutive serial basis. Diagnosis of alcohol dependence was made based on International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10) criteria. Semi structured proforma and Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) was applied in those patients and recorded accordingly. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: Out of 40 patients studied (N-40), 37 (92.5 %) were male and 3 (7.5 %) were female. Alcohol dependence is most common in the age bracket of 30-39 (43.1%) followed by 40-49 (33.4 %) with mean age of 40.3 years and the mean age of duration of alcohol use being 13.45 years. The mean amount of alcohol consumed per day is 92.25 grams. The SADQ scores, age of first alcohol use, duration of alcohol use in years and daily amount of alcohol use in grams is significantly different between male and female. Similarly there is severe alcohol dependence in 75 % while moderate level in 25 % of study population. Regarding psychiatric comorbidities, 90 % have comorbid other substance use disorder followed by anxiety disorders in 37.5 %, personality disorders in 35 %, mood disorders in 32.5 %, deliberate self harm in 30 % and psychotic disorders in 12.5 %. Conclusion: Alcohol dependence is most commonly found in young and adults of various age group. Age of first alcohol use, duration of alcohol use in years and daily amount of alcohol use in grams is significantly different between male and female. Alcohol dependence is comorbid with multiple psychiatric entities.  

scholarly journals Drinking in denial: a cross-sectional analysis of national survey data in Ireland to measure drinkers’ awareness of their alcohol use

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e034520
Author(s):  
Deirdre Mongan ◽  
Sean R Millar ◽  
Claire O'Dwyer ◽  
Jean Long ◽  
Brian Galvin
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Drinking Pattern ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Harmful Drinking

ObjectivesIreland has high per capita alcohol consumption and also has high levels of problematic drinking patterns. While it is accepted that patterns of alcohol consumption in Ireland are a cause for concern, it is not clear if Irish people are actually aware of the extent of their hazardous or harmful pattern of drinking. The aim of this study was to determine awareness of drinking pattern in an Irish population using a representative random sample and to identify characteristics associated with self-awareness of hazardous or harmful drinking.MethodsWe analysed data from Ireland’s 2014/2015 Drug Prevalence Survey which recruited a stratified clustered sample of 7005 individuals aged 15 years and over living in private households. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine characteristics associated with self-awareness of hazardous or harmful drinking.ResultsAlmost one half of drinkers had a hazardous or harmful pattern of drinking; 38% engaged in monthly risky single occasion drinking (RSOD) and 10.5% met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV) criteria for alcohol dependence. Of the 2420 respondents who had a hazardous or harmful pattern of drinking, 67% were unaware of this and misclassified themselves as being either a light or moderate drinker who did not engage in RSOD. An adjusted logistic regression model identified that hazardous and harmful drinkers were more likely to be aware of their drinking pattern if they had completed third level education (OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.30 to 2.49) while older drinkers (aged 65 and over) were less likely to be aware of their drinking pattern (OR=0.30, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.65). Subjects who engaged in risk taking behaviours such as illicit drug use and gambling were also significantly more likely to be aware of their drinking pattern.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that patterns of alcohol use in Ireland are problematic. Older respondents and those with lower educational attainment are less likely to be aware of their hazardous or harmful drinking pattern. There is also a population of younger, more-educated drinkers who engage in potentially risk-taking behaviours and these subjects are aware of their harmful drinking pattern. Initiatives to reduce overall alcohol consumption and raise awareness around drinking patterns are required.

scholarly journals Alcohol Drinking Patterns and Contributing Factors among Medical Students, a Systematic Review

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-03
Author(s):  
Sheehama J A ◽  
Mbangula H J ◽  
Lukolo L N
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Problematic Drinking ◽  
Multiple Factors

Background:The use of Alcohol has become an important public health concern with a variety of negative consequences, it is important to understand the variables that may be risk factors for this phenomenon. Further, university students represent a group of individuals who have unique drinking patterns and different risk factors and concerns related to problematic drinking than the population in general. Legal substances like alcohol accounts for the vast majority of negative medical, economic, and social impact. Although alcohol use occurs across many age groups, young adults aged 18–24 years show the highest rates of alcohol use and have the greatest percentage of problems drinkers (Kandel & Logan, 1984). Namibia is ranked fifth on the African continent in terms of annual alcohol consumption with the average Namibian consuming 9.62 liters of alcohol per year (WHO 2011). This review addresses problematic drinking and the variables associated with it for medical students. The purpose of this systematic review is to compare the perception and attitude of alcohol consumption among medical students and weigh the factors associated with drinking habits. Methods:A qualitative and quantitative systematic review of article from multiple search engines. Five articles were within the inclusion criteria thus appraised and reviewed for this paper. The common study method used was cross sectional, with varying sample sizes. Commonly, the use of self-assessment questionnaires and objective AUDIT C and CAGE score evaluation were used frequently between these articles. Results:The review showed that there are multiple factors that influence the use of alcohol among medical students. Personal factors such as a new found sense of independence, peer pressure, inability to handle academic stressors. Socio-economic factors include high tolerance of alcohol use in the communities and monthly expenses. It was also noted that the use of alcohol in medical students is higher than the average university student. A highlighted noted is that the use of alcohol is much higher among male than female medical students. Conclusion:Findings suggested that the perceptions of alcohol use is depended on multiple factors majority being academic perceived stress. It is also noted that continuation of these maladaptive coping mechanisms may lead to dysfunction in the future. The findings of systematic review are limited by the number of articles appraised and reliant on the information provided by the authors.

scholarly journals Advancing alcohol research in low-income and middle-income countries: a global alcohol environment framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e001958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Walls ◽  
Sarah Cook ◽  
Richard Matzopoulos ◽  
Leslie London
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Drinking Behaviour ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Alcohol Industry ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
The Impact

Alcohol-related harm has gained increased attention in high-income countries (HICs) in recent years which, alongside government regulation, has effected a reduction in alcohol consumption. The alcohol industry has turned its attention to low-income and middle-income country (LMIC) markets as a new source of growth and profit, prompting increased consumption in LMICS. Alcohol use in LMICs is also increasing. There is a need to understand particularly in LMICs the impact of industry strategy in shaping local contexts of alcohol use. We draw on conceptualisations from food systems research, and research on the commercial determinants of health, to develop a new approach for framing alcohol research and discuss implications for alcohol research, particularly in LMICs, focusing on South Africa as an illustrative example. We propose a conceptualisation of the ‘alcohol environment’ as the system of alcohol provision, acquisition and consumption—including, critically, industry advertising and marketing—along with the political, economic and regulatory context of the alcohol industry that mediates people’s alcohol drinking patterns and behaviours. While each country and region is different in terms of its context of alcohol use, we contrast several broadly distinct features of alcohol environments in LMICs and HICs. Improving understanding of the full spectrum of influences on drinking behaviour, particularly in LMICs, is vital to inform the design of interventions and policies to facilitate healthier environments and reduce the harms associated with alcohol consumption. Our framework for undertaking alcohol research may be used to structure mixed methods empirical research examining the role of the alcohol environment particularly in LMICs.

scholarly journals Perception of alcohol policies by consumers of unrecorded alcohol - an exploratory qualitative interview study with patients of alcohol treatment facilities in Russia

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Neufeld ◽  
Hans-Ulrich Wittchen ◽  
Lori E. Ross ◽  
Carina Ferreira-Borges ◽  
Jürgen Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Alcohol Treatment ◽  
Qualitative Interview ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Alcohol Related Harm ◽  
Related Harm

Abstract Background Over the last decade Russia has introduced various policy measures to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm at the population level. Several of these policies, such as higher pricing and taxation or restrictions of availability, may not work in the case of unrecorded alcohol consumption; they may encourage consumers to switch to unrecorded alcohol and even increase consumption. In the present qualitative interview study we explore the perception of the recently implemented alcohol policies by patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence in two Russian cities in the years 2013–2014 and shed light on possible entry-points to prevention. Methods Semi-structured in-depth expert interviews were conducted with 25 patients of state-run drug and alcohol treatment centers in two Russian cities in 2013 and 2014. The interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results All of the interviewed participants have consumed unrecorded at some point with the majority being regular consumers, mostly switching between recorded and unrecorded alcohol depending on the situation, as predominantly defined by available money and available sources of alcohol. Low price and high availability were reported as the main reasons for unrecorded consumption. Participants voiced a general mistrust of the recently implemented alcohol regulations and viewed them largely as ineffective. They expressed particular concerns over price increases and restriction of night sales of alcoholic beverages. Substantial shifts within the unrecorded alcohol market were reported, with a decreasing availability of home-made beverages in favor of alcohol surrogates in the form of non-beverage alcohol, medicinal and cosmetic compounds. At the same time consumption of home-made alcoholic beverages was seen as a strategy to avoid counterfeit alcohol, which was frequently reported for retail sale. Conclusions Despite the alcohol policy changes in the last years in Russia, consumption of unrecorded alcohol remained common for people with alcohol dependence. Reduction of availability of unrecorded alcohol, first and foremost in the form of cheap surrogates, is urgently needed to reduce alcohol-related harm. Implementation of screening and brief interventions for excessive alcohol consumption in various contexts such as primary healthcare settings, trauma treatment services or the workplace could be another important measure targeting consumers of unrecorded alcohol.

scholarly journals Estimating Long-Term Drinking Patterns for People with Lifetime Alcohol Use Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 765-780
Author(s):  
Carolina Barbosa ◽  
William N. Dowd ◽  
Arnie P. Aldridge ◽  
Christine Timko ◽  
Gary A. Zarkin
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Very High

Background. There is a lack of data on alcohol consumption over time. This study characterizes the long-term drinking patterns of people with lifetime alcohol use disorders who have engaged in treatment or informal care. Methods. We developed multinomial logit models using the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) to estimate short-term transition probabilities (TPs) among the 4 World Health Organization drinking risk levels (low, medium, high, and very high risk) and abstinence by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. We applied an optimization algorithm to convert 3-year TPs from NESARC to 1-year TPs, then used simulated annealing to calibrate TPs to a propensity-scored matched set of participants derived from a separate 16-year study of alcohol consumption. We validated the resulting long-term TPs using NESARC-III, a cross-sectional study conducted on a different cohort. Results. Across 24 demographic groups, the 1-year probability of remaining in the same state averaged 0.93, 0.81, 0.49, 0.51, and 0.63 for abstinent, low, medium, high, and very high-risk states, respectively. After calibration to the 16-year study data ( N = 420), resulting TPs produced state distributions that hit the calibration target. We find that the abstinent or low-risk states are very stable, and the annual probability of leaving the very high-risk state increases by about 20 percentage points beyond 8 years. Limitations. TPs for some demographic groups had small cell sizes. The data used to calibrate long-term TPs are based on a geographically narrow study. Conclusions. This study is the first to characterize long-term drinking patterns by combining short-term representative data with long-term data on drinking behaviors. Current research is using these patterns to estimate the long-term cost effectiveness of alcohol treatment.

Drinking Motives and Willingness to Drink Alcohol in Peer Drinking Contexts

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen G. Anderson ◽  
Tracey A. Garcia ◽  
Genevieve F. Dash
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Drinking Behavior ◽  
Drinking Motives ◽  
First Year ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Coping Motives ◽  
Context Specific

Drinking motives are important proximal predictors of alcohol consumption in adolescents and emerging adults (EAs). Despite the importance of peer context on alcohol use decision-making, research on drinking motives is commonly divorced from the contexts where such decisions are made. Behavioral willingness (BW), or openness to engaging in a given behavior, is a contextually dependent aspect of nondeliberative decision-making for youth. As BW and drinking motives are proximal predictors of alcohol use, it was hypothesized that they would interact in the prediction of later drinking. Eighty-seven EAs reported their BW in simulated drinking contexts, drinking motives, and alcohol consumption upon entering college as well as drinking patterns 8 months later. Context-specific BW potentiated coping motives’ impact on increased alcohol consumption and potentially hazardous drinking at the end of participants’ first year. These findings support the importance of BW and context in understanding motivation’s role in drinking behavior for EAs.

Other ways for the treatment of alcohol dependence: A patient treated with nalmefene

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S484-S484
Author(s):  
O. Porta Olivares ◽  
M. Juncal Ruiz ◽  
M. Gómez Revuelta ◽  
G. Pardo de Santayana Jenaro ◽  
L. Sánchez Blanco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Opiate Receptors ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Total Consumption ◽  
Excessive Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionAlcohol dependence belongs to one of the major risk factors to health worldwide. Alcohol consumption is a significant factor for mortality in the world: 6.3% in men and 1.1% in women. The alcohol use disorder is also very common: 5.4% in men, 1.5% in women. Despite its high frequency and severity of this disorder, only 8% of all alcohol dependents are treated once.AimsAn interesting treatment option is geared toward reducing alcohol intake. Some patients in treatment for alcohol use disorder prefer an initial target of reducing consumption. Nalmefene, an antagonist naltrexone associated with opioid receptors, has been authorized in the European Union to help alcohol-dependent patients reduce their consumption. Antagonists’ opiate receptors are associated with reduced reward in relation to alcohol consumption, thus helping patients in reducing energy consumption.MethodsA man of 39 years old, with a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder and depressive disorder and poor outcome despite different types of treatment (as aversive agents) was treated with nalmefene.ResultsAfter a few months, nalmefene had a beneficial effect on the patient, with a significant reduction in the number of days of excessive alcohol consumption and total consumption in the sixth month. In addition, treatment was well tolerated, with no observed secondary effects.ConclusionsNalmefene appears to be effective and safe in reducing heavy drinking. Drugs such as nalmefene have demonstrated efficacy in association with a biopsychosocial approach to help patients achieve their personal objectives for this disorder.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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