Displaying items by tag: alcohol

New research suggests binge drinking and drug use among Generation Z rises sharply once young people reach their early twenties, challenging the idea that they are a more restrained generation. The research, which tracked nearly ten thousand people born in the UK between 2000 and 2002, found that 68% of 23-year-olds reported binge drinking at least once in the previous year. This represents a significant increase from age 17, when the figure was 53%. Almost a third said they binge drink at least once a month. Drug use also increased during this transition into adulthood. Nearly half of those surveyed had tried cannabis by age 23, while around one third reported experimenting with harder drugs such as cocaine, ketamine, or ecstasy. Researchers also noted rising vaping and gambling among young adults. Experts warn this stage of life can be particularly risky, as the brain continues developing into the mid-twenties. The findings highlight the importance of providing effective support, education, and healthier environments for young adults.

One in ten people know someone who has drowned and nearly one in five know someone who has nearly drowned. A survey shows that one person drowns every 20 hours, and thousands more have near-drowning experiences, sometimes causing life-changing injuries. Alcohol is a contributor to these statistics. It lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, causing people to be more likely to take risks and get into trouble. It limits muscle ability, making simple movements much harder, slows down reactions and numbs the sight, sound and touch senses, making swimming very difficult. Over the last five years there have been 1,581 accidental deaths in the UK, and almost 30% of the victims (346) had alcohol in their bloodstream. Don’t Drink and Drown was launched in 2014, following a string of tragic drownings of young people. In 2017 there were 75 alcohol-related drownings, compared to 53 in 2016.

Dr Peter McCann, an alcohol and drug rehabilitation expert, has called for a ban on alcohol advertising in winter and stricter laws on alcohol pricing. He says that new research has established a definite link between the climate and rates of binge drinking and liver disease, and added, ‘This weather-related alcohol consumption is directly linked to our chances of developing the most dangerous form of liver disease - cirrhosis - which can ultimately end in liver failure and death.' On the same day, health experts at a WHO summit in Edinburgh heard how minimum pricing introduced in Russia in 2010 has significantly reduced alcohol-related harm. It is still too early to gauge the impact of similar measures rolled out in Scotland recently.