Benefits of temporary alcohol restriction: a feasibility randomized trial

Temporary abstinence challenges: What do we need to know?

Participation in temporary abstinence challenges (TAC) continues to increase with campaigns established in several countries. Temporarily abstaining from alcohol as part of such challenges is associated with ongoing benefits including reductions to alcohol consumption after the TAC. We identified three research priorities regarding TACs which are outlined in this paper. First, the role of temporary abstinence itself is unclear with post-TAC reductions in alcohol consumption still apparent among participants who do not remain fully abstinent throughout the challenge. It is necessary to establish to what degree temporary abstinence itself, rather than the combination of abstinence and the additional supports provided by TAC organisers (e.g., mobile applications, online support groups), contributes to changes in consumption after the TAC. Second, little is known about the psychological changes underlying these changes in alcohol consumption, with conflicting evidence as to whether increases in someone's belief in their ability to avoid drinking mediates the association between participation in a TAC and reductions in consumption afterwards. Other potential psychological and social mechanisms of change have been subjected to little, if any, scrutiny. Third, evidence of increased consumption post-TAC among a minority of participants indicates a need to establish for whom or in what circumstances participation in a TAC may result in unintended negative consequences. Focussing research in these areas would increase the confidence with which participation could be encouraged. It would also enable campaign messaging and additional supports to be prioritised and tailored to be as effective as possible in facilitating long-term change.

Experiences of alcohol-dependent elderly: grounded theory

OBJECTIVE

To interpret the experiences of alcohol-dependent elderly people.

METHOD

Qualitative research developed through the theoretical and methodological assumptions of the Grounded Theory in the Straussian version. It was carried out in a small town in the mid-western region of the state of São Paulo. The selection was by theoretical sampling, totaling 25 participants from three sample groups. Semistructured interviews were conducted from March 2019 to January 2020.

RESULTS

The phenomenon "Experiencing alcohol dependence in old age", is conditioned by the category "Initiating Alcohol Consumption", are actions/interactions "Justifying alcohol consumption" and "Coping with alcohol treatment and abstinence" whose consequences are "Experiencing the harms of alcohol dependence" and "Expressing feelings".

CONCLUSION

It was evidenced that the elderly participants consider alcohol dependence as a way to deal with negative emotions, and, in this trajectory, they experience physical, mental, and social consequences. The elderly in abstinence express feelings of loneliness, regret, and desire for a life with quality, and indicate that behavioral change occurs through treatment and awareness of its harmful effects.

Alcohol, Drinking Pattern, and Chronic Disease

This review discusses the inconsistent recommendations on alcohol consumption and its association with chronic disease, highlighting the need for an evidence-based consensus. Alcohol is an addictive substance consumed worldwide, especially in European countries. Recommendations on alcohol consumption are controversial. On one hand, many nonrandomized studies defend that moderate consumption has a beneficial cardiovascular effect or a lower risk of all-cause mortality. On the other hand, alcohol is associated with an increased risk of cancer, neurological diseases, or injuries, among others. For years, efforts have been made to answer the question regarding the safe amount of alcohol intake, but controversies remain. Observational studies advocate moderate alcohol consumption following a Mediterranean pattern (red wine with meals avoiding binge drinking) as the best option for current drinkers. However, agencies such as the IARC recommend abstention from alcohol as it is a potent carcinogen. In this context, more randomized trial with larger sample size and hard clinical endpoints should be conducted to clarify the available evidence and provide clinicians with support for their clinical practice.

Vivências de idosos dependentes de álcool: teoria fundamentada nos dados

RESUMO Objetivo: Interpretar as vivências dos idosos dependentes de álcool. Método: Pesquisa qualitativa desenvolvida por meio dos pressupostos teórico-metodológicos da Teoria Fundamentada dos Dados na versão straussiana. Foi realizada em um município de pequeno porte da região centro-oeste paulista. A seleção foi por amostragem teórica, totalizando 25 participantes a partir de três grupos amostrais. Foram conduzidas entrevistas semiestruturadas entre março de 2019 a janeiro de 2020. Resultados: O fenômeno “Vivenciando a dependência de álcool na velhice”, está condicionado pela categoria “Iniciando o consumo de Álcool”, são ações/interações “Justificando o consumo de álcool” e “Enfrentando o tratamento e a abstinência do álcool” cujas consequências são “Experienciando os danos da dependência de álcool” e “Expressando sentimentos”. Conclusão: Evidenciou-se que os idosos participantes consideram a dependência de álcool como forma de lidar com emoções negativas, e, nessa trajetória, experienciam consequências físicas, mentais e sociais. Os idosos em abstinência expressam sentimentos de solidão, arrependimento e desejo de uma vida com qualidade, e indicam que a mudança comportamental ocorre por meio do tratamento e conscientização de seus malefícios.

Are there non-linear relationships between alcohol consumption and long-term health? Protocol for a systematic review of observational studies employing approaches to improve causal inference

INTRODUCTION

There is a substantial literature finding that moderate alcohol consumption is protective against certain health conditions. However, more recent research has highlighted the possibility that these findings are methodological artefacts, caused by confounding and other biases. While modern analytical and study design approaches can mitigate confounding and thus enhance causal inference in observational studies, they are not routinely applied in research assessing the relationship between alcohol use and long-term health outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify observational studies that employ these analytical/design-based approaches in assessing whether relationships between alcohol consumption and health outcomes are non-linear. This review seeks to evaluate, on a per-outcome basis, what these studies find the strength and form of the relationship between alcohol consumption and health to be.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase and SCOPUS) were searched in May 2020. Study selection will comply with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Articles will be screened against eligibility criteria intended to capture studies using observational data to assess the relationship between varying levels of alcohol exposure and any long-term health outcome (actual or surrogate), and that have employed at least one of the prespecified approaches to enhancing causal inference. Risk of bias of included articles will be assessed using study design-specific tools. A narrative synthesis of the results is planned.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Formal ethics approval is not required given there will be no primary data collection. The results of the study will be disseminated through published manuscripts, conferences and seminar presentations.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020185861.

Regret Me Not: Examining the Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Regrettable Experiences

Alcohol use is a considerable public health concern, leading to negative health and adverse social consequences. Despite widespread knowledge and acceptance of these consequences many individuals continue to drink excessively. Lack of regret for these consequences may partially explain this. Objectives: To examine the prevalence of regrettable experiences and their role in future intentions to drink. Methods: In two studies (Study 1: cross-sectional; Study 2: longitudinal) participants reported on 18 regrettable experiences; from common regrets (e.g. hangover), to risky behaviors (e.g. drug taking), and serious regrets (e.g. driving under the influence), over a two-week period. Results: Prevalence of regrettable experiences was high (e.g. 79.0% of individuals in study 1 and 66.9% of individuals in study 2 experienced a hangover). Prevalence was greater for common regrets compared to risky behaviors and serious regrets. In study one, alcohol consumed over the previous fortnight predicted the number of different regrettable experiences over the same period. In study two, units consumed on a day-to-day basis predicted the number of regrets on that same basis. Neither study demonstrated evidence for the predictive utility of regrets for intentions to consume alcohol in the future. Conclusions: These findings suggest high prevalence of regrettable experiences, that are predicted by increased alcohol consumption. However, there was little evidence that increased number of experiences predicted future drinking intentions. Regrettable experiences are prevalent following consumption, however a focus on these regrets to deter future alcohol consumption may not be an effective psychological intervention.