Researchers have found an effective method to get people to drink less alcohol: highlight the increased cancer risk that comes with drinking and combine it with counting each and every drink.
This particular combination of ‘why reduce’ and ‘how to reduce’ messages can be useful in promoting good health in a population, said the team behind the 2021 study.
Of course, drinking too much doesn’t just lead to cancer. Overdoing it with alcohol is associated with a wide range of problems, including early death, heart disease, digestive problems, and an increased risk of dementia.
“We found that combining information about alcohol and cancer with a particular practical action (counting their drinks) resulted in drinkers reducing the amount of alcohol they consumed,” said economist and psychologist Simone Pettigrew of the George Institute for Global Health. .
For the study, three surveys were completed: 7,995 people completed the first, 4,588 of those people completed the second three weeks later, and 2,687 people completed the final survey three weeks later. The participants were divided into different groups and were shown different advertisements and messages about the drink.
One combination stood out, compared to a control group: A TV ad linking alcohol and cancer, along with a suggestion to keep track of drinks, was one of the most effective in getting people to try to reduce Alcohol consumption.
It was also the only combination in which people actually significantly reduced their alcohol intake over the six weeks.
Other approaches, such as encouraging people to decide on a number of drinks and then sticking with them, prompted some of the volunteers to try to cut back, but there was a clear winner based on the people who participated in this research.
“Many people don’t know that alcohol is carcinogenic,” Pettigrew said. “This is important information that drinkers should have access to. But telling people that alcohol causes cancer is only part of the solution; we must also give them ways to take steps to reduce their risk.”
Alcohol use can be attributed to up to 7 percent of premature deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, and making drinkers more aware of the health risks is one way to address that problem. .
While health agencies have also looked at ways to make alcoholic beverages less available and more expensive, ultimately personal choices will determine whether or not behavior around alcohol will change in the long run.
In this particular study, the participants were chosen to be “broadly demographically representative of the Australian drinking public”, so it’s not an approach that necessarily works elsewhere, but it sounds like counting your drinks might be an option to try if you’d like. reduce.
“There are limited resources available for alcohol harm reduction campaigns, so it’s important to find out which messages resonate best to ensure they have the best chance of working,” Pettigrew said.
The research was published in Addictive Behaviors.
A previous version of this article was first published in June 2021.
How can I train myself to drink less alcohol?
find what works
- Set limits. Decide how many days a week you plan to drink and how many drinks you plan to have. Read also : Alabama DC Pete Golding Speaks Out About DUI Arrest. …
- Count your drinks. …
- Control your “triggers”. If certain people, places, or activities tempt you to drink more than you planned, you can avoid those triggers. …
- Find support.
Can you train yourself not to get drunk? Drinking your drinks slowly so you don’t exceed more than one drink per hour is the best way to avoid getting drunk. To keep up the pace, don’t order another drink or let someone refill your glass until it’s empty. Having ice in your glass will also slow it down (and dilute the alcohol a bit).
Can you learn to drink less?
Cutting back on alcohol can be a really effective way to improve your health, increase your energy, lose weight, and save money. Any reduction in the amount you drink each week will be beneficial â and with the right help, it’s easier than you think.
Can you be a heavy drinker and not an alcoholic?
“This study shows that, contrary to popular opinion, the majority of people who drink heavily are neither alcohol dependent nor alcoholic,” said Robert Brewer, M. To see also : Willie Wilson advertises upcoming food and gas deals for $ 2 million.D., M.S.P.H., CDC Alcohol Program Leader and one of the authors. Of the report.
How much can you drink and not be an alcoholic? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol use is considered to be in the moderate to low risk range for women at no more than three drinks in a day and no more than seven drinks per week. For men, it’s no more than four drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks a week.
What classifies someone as a heavy drinker?
For men, binge drinking is generally defined as consuming 15 or more drinks per week. Read also : Help Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank achieve the “Summer Challenge”.. For women, binge drinking is generally defined as consuming 8 or more drinks per week.
What percentage of heavy drinkers are alcoholics?
Almost alcoholic The knowledge that only 10% of heavy drinkers are alcoholics may be reassuring, but that doesn’t mean the other 90% don’t have drinking problems. I spoke with Joseph Nowinski, PhD, co-author of Almost Alcoholic.
Is heavy drinker the same as alcoholic?
However, there are subtle differences between binge drinking and alcoholism. Problem drinking is associated with someone drinking too much, too often, or during inappropriate situations. Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a complex disease characterized by binge drinking without regard to negative consequences.
Which is considered the most effective treatment for alcoholism?
Most of the studies that measured abstinence found that AA was significantly better than other interventions or no intervention. In one study, it was found to be 60% more effective. None of the studies found AA to be less effective.
What is the first step in treating alcoholism? Getting Started with a Primary Care Physician For anyone considering treatment, speaking with a primary care physician is an important first step: he or she can be a good source of referrals for treatments and medications. A primary care physician may also: Assess a patient’s drinking pattern. Help develop a treatment plan.
What drug is commonly used to treat alcoholics?
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved three medications to treat alcohol use disorder: acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone.
What is the most effective treatment for alcohol dependence?
Naltrexone, a drug that blocks the good feelings alcohol brings, can prevent binge drinking and reduce the urge to drink. Acamprosate can help you fight alcohol cravings once you stop drinking. Unlike disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate do not make you feel sick after having a drink.
