Aussie drink-driving laws have similar penalties, but our BAC level is still at .05. This will be moved to .02 in the coming years. Be safe for you, your family and the person you may injure because, you thought you were ‘ok to drive!’
SHOULD YOU BE DRIVING? DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE....EVER!
A World Health Organization (WHO) report has highlighted the devastating impact of alcohol and substance use worldwide. The findings reveal that 3 million people died as a result of substance use in 2019, with alcohol accounting for a staggering 2.6 million of these deaths. Additionally, over 400 million people are living with substance use disorders, underscoring the widespread harm caused by these behaviours.
The numbers are stark. WHO data shows that two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths were men, with the European and African regions bearing the highest toll. Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable. Close to 25% of 15-19-year-olds reported drinking alcohol, with the highest rates of daily consumption seen in Europe and the Americas. Tragically, individuals aged 20 to 39 made up a significant percentage of alcohol-attributable deaths in 2019.
A recent UK study has revealed striking links between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and mental health issues following a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Researchers found that individuals with AUD were significantly more likely to develop depression and anxiety after being diagnosed with T2D compared to those without AUD. This connection persisted even after accounting for previous mental health conditions, highlighting the mental health challenges faced by this group.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a serious condition that affects millions of people across the globe. It doesn’t just impact the individual but has ripple effects on families, workplaces, and entire communities. This disorder is a significant public health challenge, accounting for over 5% of the global burden of disease, according to the World Health Organization. While counselling and therapy remain the foundation of treatment for AUD, researchers are now exploring new medicines that could help people overcome this disorder.
One promising avenue is the potential use of GLP-1 agonists, a class of medications currently prescribed for conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Recent findings suggest these medications, particularly semaglutide and liraglutide, could offer real benefits in reducing alcohol-related problems and improving health outcomes.
What Are GLP-1 Agonists?
GLP-1 agonists work by targeting receptors in the body that help regulate hunger and energy use. These medications are well-known for helping patients with diabetes and obesity manage their conditions. However, scientists now believe that these same receptors might also play a role in controlling addictive behaviours, such as alcohol consumption.
The study also found that these medications reduced hospitalisations for other health problems caused by heavy drinking, such as heart and liver conditions. However, the researchers emphasised that further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to see how well GLP-1 agonists might work for different groups of people.
Why Could These Medications Work for AUD?
Scientists think GLP-1 agonists might be effective in tackling AUD because of the way they interact with the brain’s reward system. This system drives cravings and addictive behaviours by releasing pleasure-inducing chemicals like dopamine. Research suggests that GLP-1 agonists might help reduce cravings by altering these brain pathways and making addictive substances like alcohol less appealing.
This isn’t just theoretical; earlier studies in animals showed that these medications reduced alcohol consumption. Now, the Swedish research provides real-world evidence that this effect might also hold true for humans, especially with semaglutide and liraglutide.
Where Do We Go From Here?
While the results of this study are promising, there’s still much work to be done. Randomised clinical trials are urgently needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists for treating Alcohol Use Disorder. These trials would provide stronger evidence and help identify who might benefit most from these treatments.
At the same time, it’s crucial to keep in mind that medications alone will never be the entire solution. Recognising the dangers of alcohol and fostering a culture that encourages people to avoid harmful substances entirely should remain a priority.
Changing Lives, One Step at a Time
Alcohol Use Disorder is a devastating condition, but treatments like semaglutide and liraglutide may mark the beginning of a new chapter in addressing it. New treatments for alcohol dependency could bring hope to many people and their families. By exploring fresh ideas like GLP-1 agonists, we can take important steps towards better health and brighter futures.
Together, we can ensure that fewer lives are harmed by alcohol, and more people have the chance to thrive.
The research was conducted by researchers at The University of Queensland with people with current or previous high-risk alcohol use or gambling, many of whom are actively trying to reduce their alcohol use and/or gambling or remain abstained. The report provides case studies on how these people are targeted with alcohol and gambling while on Facebook.
The research found:
Facebook tags people who are at risk of harm and trying to reduce their use of alcohol and gambling as interested in these addictive products to target them with advertising. Collectively, Facebook tagged these 10 people with 89 unique advertising interests related to alcohol and gambling to target them with advertising.
Alcohol and gambling companies uploaded data on people who are at risk of harm and trying to reduce their use of alcohol or gambling to fuel targeted marketing Facebook. Together, 264 alcohol and gambling companies uploaded data about 10 people to the Facebook marketing algorithm for targeting.
People who are trying to reduce their alcohol use or gambling don’t want to be profiled and targeted for alcohol and gambling and can find it impossible to escape this advertising when they are on social media. People are trying to block this advertising so they don’t see it, but platforms don’t allow for them to do so.
Mariana found herself frequently drinking at levels that put her health and wellbeing at risk and decided to take steps to reduce the amount she drinks – she has been trying to reduce her alcohol use over the past year. However, alcohol companies are voraciously trying to lure her back through targeting her with alcohol advertising on social media. We found that 123 alcohol advertisers have uploaded data about her to the Facebook marketing algorithm and that Facebook has tagged her with 25 alcohol related advertising interests to target her with marketing. A quarter of the ads she was targeted with on Facebook were related to alcohol. Specifically, they frequently targeted her previous alcohol use pattern by promoting alcohol use at pubs and events.
In a significant development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, a stance articulated in a recent publication in The Lancet Public Health. Kristina Sperkova, in her analysis, highlights why this statement marks a pivotal moment in public health discourse.
The WHO’s comment underscores that even minimal alcohol consumption poses health risks, particularly cancer. Since alcohol has been classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the WHO’s assertion reinforces the lack of safe consumption levels, aligning with mounting scientific evidence that challenges the concept of “responsible drinking.” Notably, according to the World Health Organization, “alcohol consumption is associated with 740,000 new cancer cases each year globally,” highlighting the substantial impact on public health.
Sperkova outlines six transformative aspects of the WHO’s publication:
Synthesizing Knowledge: The statement consolidates decades of research, stressing that alcohol’s carcinogenic effects stem from its ethanol content, affecting all beverages equally.
Clear Messaging: The WHO provides unambiguous messages, stating that cancer risks begin with the first drop of alcohol, making clarity in public health communication essential.
Establishing Consensus: The publication moves away from the ambiguous term “harmful use of alcohol,” aligning global health policy with evidence-based language that reflects alcohol’s inherent risks.
Contextualizing Harmful Use: By discarding the misleading notion of “harmless” alcohol consumption, the WHO challenges industry narratives and highlights the reality of alcohol-related harm.
Defining Low-Dose Risks: The document specifies what constitutes low-dose alcohol use and its associated risks, aiming to raise public awareness about seemingly innocuous consumption levels.
Highlighting Regional Burdens: The WHO comment provides data from the European region, the world’s heaviest alcohol-consuming area, exemplifying the significant cancer burden attributable to alcohol.
This publication is expected to catalyze changes in alcohol policy and public perception, encouraging a reevaluation of alcohol’s role in society. As Dry January challenges gain popularity, more individuals become aware of alcohol’s health implications, reinforcing the need for informed discussions and comprehensive policy reforms. The WHO’s declaration serves as a crucial call to action, urging global leaders to prioritize health over industry interests.
The WHO’s statement could lead to big changes in public health and how people live. With the idea that no amount of alcohol is safe, those in charge might need to make stricter rules to keep people healthy. For each person, this is a reminder to think about their drinking habits, even if they only drink a little. The WHO’s view might help more people talk about and understand the risks, encouraging a shift towards drinking less and living healthier lives.