Data from mid-July showed a total volume of 1.3bn litres of alcoholic drinks were bought in shops in the first 17 weeks of lockdown, compared to 2bn litres in the same period the previous year. This is a 35% fall in the total volumes of alcoholic drink bought compared to last year. But this may … [Read more...] about How much alcohol are we really drinking post-covid?
The unique challenge of alcohol’s popularity
"If you are trying to change your approach alcohol and feel a bit out of place in the world, little wonder. It isn’t just you. This is alcohol’s unique challenge, which is not matched by other drugs, which do not stir such near-universal affection." … [Read more...] about The unique challenge of alcohol’s popularity
Discussion: The international problem tackling mental health and alcohol issues together
A recent piece highlighting the difficulty of getting help when we have both mental health and alcohol or other substance use problems attracted insight with sources spanning from Glasgow to Tauranga. Below is a lightly-edited selection. “I'd say this isn’t ‘becoming’ the norm, I heard this in … [Read more...] about Discussion: The international problem tackling mental health and alcohol issues together
Six recovery recommendations
Recommendations for alcohol and other drugs from Professor David Best of Derby University based on evidence he outlined at yesterday's NHS Addictions Provider Alliance conference: Get specialist help if you need it, including to deal with any trauma or long-term psychological health problemsYou … [Read more...] about Six recovery recommendations
Alcohol safety labelling may be about to get worse
An apparent forward step on alcohol safety labelling last week may, in fact, signal that it is about to get worse. The alcohol industry Portman Group (PG) says it agreed with the health department “for the removal of out-of-date information” by September 1st. But it does not mention adding … [Read more...] about Alcohol safety labelling may be about to get worse
Guideline labelling’s welcome return leaves open question
So it is welcome news that the government is pressing for the official guidelines to return in September (see video), albeit two years after they were quietly dropped. I have joined calls for official health guidelines to appear on all alcoholic drinks labels since revealing that they had been … [Read more...] about Guideline labelling’s welcome return leaves open question