DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS – WIDER HEALTH SERIES
ALCOHOL AND HEALTH
W
e all know that alcohol is linked to health problems;
however, the range and scale of those harms is far wider
than many of us think. In particular, drinking very heavily
brings with it a number of serious physical risks. This
special supplement, which Alcohol Research UK is proud to be sponsoring,
provides a clear and detailed overview of those risks, as well as advice for
people likely to encounter such problems in their day-to-day work.
As this supplement shows, heavy drinking can cause more than
liver damage. Its impact on mental health, hypertension, and cancer
risk are only now becoming widely recognised. The revised ‘low risk’
guidelines of 14 units per week for men and women reflect this growing
awareness and are based on a comprehensive analysis of the full range
of conditions associated with alcohol consumption. Of course, many
people reading this supplement will be dealing with individuals drinking
at far higher levels than those set out in the guidelines, and here the
risks become very significant. However, the signs of harm are not always
obvious, which is why a guide such as this is so important.
Understanding and awareness are key. Non-specialists can’t be
expected to provide detailed diagnoses, which is why one of the most
important messages from this supplement is to get people to check in
with their GP. However, knowing what some of the symptoms look like,
and having a sense of what kinds of questions to ask, is invaluable. As with
all things, early intervention is essential to preventing potentially tragic
consequences down the line. Therefore, the advice contained here will be
of enormous help to anyone working with individuals facing health risks
from their drinking and, of course, to those individuals themselves.
Dr James Nicholls, director of research and policy development, Alcohol
Research UK
Supported by
Alcohol Research UK and Alcohol Concern merged in April 2017 to form a major
independent national charity, working to reduce the harms caused by alcohol.
For more information visit: www.alcoholresearchuk.org and www.alcoholconcern.org.uk