Present scenario of policies & hazards related to alcohol in India

Although the use of various psychoactive substances such as alcohol, cannabis and opioids has been observed in India for centuries. Use of psychoactive substances impacts on academic, social, psychological, economical and physiological development of people with their families negatively. Alcoholic beverages are the most important product of global addiction demand, which is a reason of many deaths and diseases worldwide. Alcohol consumption is a major problem in India because of the various reasons like socio-cultural, difference in alcohol policies and practices state wise, lack of awareness of alcohol related problems, false mass media propaganda, various patterns of alcohol consumption and as a symbol of status both in urban and rural areas across the country. As per people’s opinion, they consumes it because it induces feeling of relaxation and tranquility, suppress anxiety and increases confidence. However with increasing dose, pleasant euphoric starts which means they feels that they are in heaven and that gives way to feelings of depression. That’s why this is called as substance of abuse. This review article focuses on ethyl alcohol (alcohol),its pharmacology,policies in India, different patterns of drinking, prevalence of alcohol consumption globally and nationally, medical and other consequences like suicide and road accidents, harmful effects on the mental, physical and social health with treatment options for alcoholism.

Effects of introducing weaned heifers to freestall housing on growth performance and behavior

This study evaluated the effects of two housing types (freestalls vs. bedded-pack) on growth performance and behavior of weaned heifers, with no previous experience with freestalls. Heifers (12 heifers/ treatment) were randomly assigned to each treatment at d 80 ± 3 of age. Heifers had free access to diets and water throughout the experiment. The ADG, structural growth, and final body weight were not affected by the housing type. Also, there was no difference in overall DMI between treatments, but the freestall-housed heifers had greater DMI than those housed in bedded-pack during the last 5 d of the study. There were no differences in any behavioral patterns of drinking, standing, and lying time between heifers housed in freestalls than those housed in bedded-pack. The lengths of rumination bouts were less for freestall-housed heifers than those housed in bedded-pack on day 110. Heifers spent less time lying in the freestalls on day 85 compared to day 110 when they get accustomed to using freestall housing. In summary, our results indicate that the growth performance of weaned heifers were not affected by housing type; however, housing heifers in fresstalls can prepare them for using the freestalls facility for a short period.

Alcohol and Tobacco Use in a Tuberculosis Treatment Cohort during South Africa’s COVID-19 Sales Bans: A Case Series

Background: South Africa temporarily banned alcohol and tobacco sales for about 20 weeks during the COVID-19 lockdown. We described changes in alcohol and tobacco consumption after implementation of these restrictions among a small number of participants in a tuberculosis treatment cohort. Method: The timeline follow-back procedure and Fägerstrom test for nicotine dependence was used to collect monthly alcohol and tobacco use information. We report changes in heavy drinking days (HDD), average amount of absolute alcohol (AA) consumed per drinking day, and cigarettes smoked daily during the alcohol and tobacco ban compared to use prior to the ban. Results: Of the 61 participants for whom we have pre-ban and within-ban alcohol use information, 17 (27.9%) reported within-ban alcohol use. On average, participants reported one less HDD per fortnight (interquartile range (IQR): −4, 1), but their amount of AA consumed increased by 37.4 g per drinking occasion (IQR: −65.9 g, 71.0 g). Of 53 participants who reported pre-ban tobacco use, 17 (32.1%) stopped smoking during the ban. The number of participants smoking >10 cigarettes per day decreased from 8 to 1. Conclusions: From these observations, we hypothesize that policies restricting alcohol and tobacco availability seem to enable some individuals to reduce their consumption. However, these appear to have little effect on the volume of AA consumed among individuals with more harmful patterns of drinking in the absence of additional behavior change interventions.

Alcohol Consumption and Blood Pressure Among Older Couples: Negative Implications of Drinking Concordance

Couples who are similar in their drinking behaviors (i.e., concordance) often report better quality and longer marriages. These patterns of drinking may have negative implications for blood pressure, however, as individuals age. The present study examined the effects of alcohol use on blood pressure among couples and whether the associations varied by age. Participants included 2311 married/cohabiting couples (4487 individuals; aged 52 to 92) followed from 2006 to 2014 in the Health and Retirement Study who reported their average drinks per week and had their blood pressure measured. Multilevel models revealed older men (aged 60+) who drank more had higher blood pressure irrespective of wives drinking whereas for younger men the link between their own drinking and increased blood pressure was greater when wives drank more. Although concordance may be beneficial for marriage, there may be a downside to drinking concordance for health especially among middle aged men. Part of a symposium sponsored by Dyadic Research on Health and Illness Across the Adult Lifespan Interest Group.

A scoping review of qualitative research on perceptions of one’s own alcohol use

Background This scoping review aims to map the extent, range and nature of qualitative research on people’s ‘perceptions’ of their own alcohol consumption. Methods A systematic search of five electronic databases was conducted. A total of 915 abstracts were screened and 452 full texts examined, of which 313 papers met the inclusion criteria (including a report of qualitative data on perceptions, experiences or views of people’s own drinking in peer-reviewed journals published in English). Results This study maps the available literature assembled over approximately 30 years, which was found to be extensive and diverse. Many existing studies are focused largely on people’s ‘experiences’ of their own drinking behaviours, particularly when they were drinking in ways commonly understood as heavy, risky or problematic. Fewer studies focused on populations whose drinking was not heavy or was risky in less obvious ways, such as older adults prescribed medications for chronic health conditions. Most studies were conducted since 2010, with the rate of publications increasing since 2014. Conclusions This review identifies gaps in the evidence regarding people’s perceptions of their own drinking and opportunities for qualitative studies to make valuable contributions to alcohol research. Gaps discussed include patterns of drinking that are less obviously problematic, and in relation to consumption of alcohol in those parts of the world where overall consumption and harms from alcohol are high. Such studies could usefully be informed by existing studies in the evidence mapping.

A review of factors associated with patterns of drinking during pregnancy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify factors associated with drinking patterns during pregnancy. Design/methodology/approach A rapid evidence assessment was undertaken, scanning multiple databases for studies examining factors associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Studies were included if they stratified data according to quantity of alcohol consumed and identified relevant associated factors. Drinking patterns were classified as light/moderate and heavy/binge. Findings In total, 15 studies were included (N=7 light/moderate; N=15 heavy/binge drinking). Factors associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy included: smoking, age, SES, marital status, pre-pregnancy substance use and parity. While few studies reported an association between heavy/binge drinking and maternal mental health, none of the studies included explored the association between mental health and light/moderate drinking. Research limitations/implications Relatively few studies have looked at the association between psychological characteristics of women and their drinking patterns. There is a lack of articles examining light/moderate drinking in pregnancy compared to heavy/binge drinking. Moreover, there is marked variation in how alcohol use is measured. Further studies are needed to increase understanding of the association between psychological factors and patterns of drinking during pregnancy, and how health professionals might support women in this context. Originality/value The authors expand on previous work by examining two different patterns of alcohol consumption in pregnancy, rather than alcohol use simply as an isolated concept. The two groups were found to differ in a number of demographic and social factors. This information could be used to aid healthcare professionals in targeting specific interventions to those women most at risk.

Alcohol use disorders among Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) among Myanmar male migrant workers (> 15 years) living in Mae Sot, Thailand, and their patterns of drinking. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was administered to 512 participants to measure AUDs and drinking patterns. ANOVA and χ2 analyses were performed to assess demographic differences between abstainers, harmful and hazardous drinkers (HHDs) (those showing signs of AUDs) and non-harmful drinkers. Findings Results showed that 12.3 percent of male Myanmar migrants were HHDs, a rate only slightly higher than in Thai men (9.1 percent), but much higher than in men still living in Myanmar (2.7 percent) (WHO, 2014). Also, 19 percent of alcohol-consuming Myanmar male migrant workers reported patterns of heavy episodic drinking, which is markedly higher than in alcohol-consuming Thai (4.7 percent) and Myanmar men (1.5 percent) (WHO, 2014). Originality/value Given the health risks associated with AUDs and heavy episodic drinking, the findings of this study suggest a need for appropriate alcohol-related health education and intervention for Myanmar male migrant workers.