An informative article I recently read on the website http://theconversation.com discussed how despite falling alcohol numbers, alcohol induced harm is still on the rise. This seems quite paradoxical considering that when the consumption of something decreases, the effects of that substance are also expected to decrease, not so with alcohol it seems.
Previously we have viewed alcohol induced harm as directly correspondent to level of alcohol consumption in a community but this is not necessarily the case, according to new research by Michael Livingston, post-doctoral research fellow in the Drug Policy Modelling Program at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and a research fellow in the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre.
The research looked into countries drinking habits such as Sweden where per capita alcohol consumption has fallen in the last five years while the rates of harm associated with alcohol has remained fairly consistent.
A similar phenomenon was experienced in Britain where alcohol consumption has apparently decreased since 2004 yet harm induced by alcohol consumption has remained high and Australia seems to be in the same boat as Sweden and England.
Read an excerpt from the article below which explains further:
Over the last decade or so, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have shown almost no change in the amount of alcohol consumed per person in Australia. In 2000/01, it was 10.15 litres of pure alcohol, while in 2010/11 (the most recent year for which data are available), it was 9.99 litres. In contrast, rates of alcohol-related harm are increasing.
Recent studies in Victoria of both adults and young people have found sharp increases in a range of problems from alcohol. This includes rates of alcohol-related hospitalisations, presentations at emergency departments due to intoxication, late-night assaults, domestic violence involving alcohol and alcohol treatment.
And a national study of alcohol-related harm between 1995 and 2006 found increases in alcohol-related hospitalisations in all states.
http://theconversation.com/alcohol-fuelled-violence-on-the-rise-despite-falling-consumption-9892
Recently the issue of hospitalisations due to alcohol induced harm have become a matter of particular concern, costing the economy millions and taking up beds in hospitals that could be occupied by people with serious natural illnesses.
One thing these findings make very clear, vilifying alcohol is not the answer. Drinking alcohol is not the source of the violence and harm but the few people who are still abusing alcohol are the problem. Alcohol consumed responsibly and moderately is good for you, both in terms of mental and physical wellbeing but abusing alcohol and binge drinking which has become a part of our culture is the real culprit and needs to be tackled.
Another painfully obvious part of these findings is that people whose responsibility it is under the law to ensure alcohol is sold and served in moderation are not doing so well enough. Responsible Service of Alcohol is a vital part of the plan to tackle alcohol induced harm in Australia and it can only be successful if the staff of every licenced venue across Oz does their part.