# ALCOHOL MISUSE IN UNITED KINGDOM AND INTERVENTIONS - Savonia AMK

> Alcohol misuse and interventions in United Kindom, literature review.

## Introduction
Alcohol plays a major role in many social events and is widely used to enhance bonding. However, excess consumption is linked with negative impacts on health, family, and society. Despite these risks, many individuals who misuse alcohol perceive themselves as moderate users, indicating a distorted understanding of their consumption levels.

In the United Kingdom, alcohol misuse and related illnesses represent a significant public health burden. Research from 2019 indicates that approximately 6.7% of 1.2 million people studied had more than one alcohol misuse issue, accounting for 11.7% of emergency department attendances, 9.2% of hospital admissions, and 7.2% of total bed days.

## Research Objectives
The research aims to:
* Identify the major causes of alcohol misuse in the United Kingdom.
* Identify possible interventions for alcohol misuse.
* Create awareness of the causes and underlying factors associated with alcohol misuse in the UK.

## Methodology
This study is a systematic literature review applying an integrative review method. 
* **Databases:** CINAHL Ultimate and PubMed.
* **Search Terms:** (“alcohol dependence” OR “alcohol abuse” OR “alcohol addiction” OR “alcohol misuse”) AND (“Great Britain” OR “United Kingdom” OR “Britain”).
* **Inclusion Criteria:** Articles published between 2017 and 2023, in English, focused on the United Kingdom.
* **Exclusion Criteria:** Non-English articles, no full text available, or those addressing only Europe and/or the USA.
* **Appraisal:** Articles were appraised using JBI appraisal checklist tools. A total of sixteen articles were included.
* **Analysis:** Thematic content analysis was performed using MAXQDA 2022 software.

## Causes of Alcohol Misuse in the UK
* **Media and Advertising:** Alcohol advertisements influence both new and existing users, encouraging initiation and increased consumption.
* **Mental Health:** Individuals with depression and anxiety often report higher alcohol intake as a coping mechanism.
* **Lack of Awareness:** Many misusers lack insight into the health risks of hazardous drinking, leading to delayed engagement with addiction services.
* **Social Pressure:** Both adolescents and adults face overt or subtle social pressure to drink. Alcohol is often used to cope with loneliness, distress, or life changes such as divorce, financial difficulties, or job loss.
* **Military Culture:** Alcohol misuse is higher in the armed forces compared to the general population. The culture of normalization persists even after service, with veterans often reluctant to seek help due to the stigma of being perceived as weak.

## Proposed Interventions
* **Marketing Restrictions:** Implementation of stricter regulations on alcohol advertising, particularly to protect vulnerable groups like adolescents and young adults.
* **Integrated Services:** Because of the link between alcohol misuse, mental health, and social issues, interventions must be multifaceted. Service providers should prioritize holistic care that addresses both health and social needs.
* **Public Awareness:** Increased efforts to inform the public about available addiction services.
* **Healthcare Training:** Front-line workers require better training in psychological language and empathetic communication.
* **Veteran-Specific Support:** Development of veteran peer-led services where health workers have military experience or specific training to support the unique needs of ex-militants.

## Authors
* **Mburu Nderesi**, Master’s program in Global Public Health, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
* **Maria Luojus**, Principal lecturer, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

## References
* Balakrishnan, R., Allender, S., Scarborough, P., Webster, P., & Rayner, M. (2009). The burden of alcohol-related ill health in the United Kingdom. Journal of Public Health, 31(3), 366–373. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdp051
* Carvalho, A. F., Heilig, M., Perez, A., Probst, C., & Rehm, J. (2019). Alcohol use disorders. The Lancet, 394(10200), 781–792. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31775-1
* Phillips, T., Coulton, S., & Drummond, C. (2019). Burden of Alcohol Disorders on Emergency Department Attendances and Hospital Admissions in England. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 54(5), 516–524. https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agz055
* UN, (2019). Home.:. SDG Summit 2019. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgsummit Accessed 18.02.2023.
* WHO, (2019). Global status report on alcohol and health 2018. World Health Organization.