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Alcohol Guidelines 2016

The Chief Medical Officer has published new alcohol guidelines recommending a maximum of 14 units per week for both men and women. This article provides an overview of the latest evidence on the risks of drinking, changes in the recommendations, and advice on regular and single drinking episodes. It also highlights the importance of abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy. Additionally, it introduces "Don't Bottle It Up," an interactive screening tool for assessing drinking risk levels and providing personalized feedback and support.

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Alcohol Guidelines 2016

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  1. Alcohol Guidelines 2016 Gail Hughes Public Health Lead Surrey County Council February 2016

  2. New Alcohol Guidelines:Context • Chief Medical Officer has published new alcohol guidelines. • Detailed review of scientific evidence since the previous guidelines were set in 1995. • New guidelines have been set at a level to keep the risk of mortality from cancers or other diseases low.

  3. The Latest Evidence • ‘Red wine is good for your heart’ myth: Protective effects of drinking regularly at low levels is only evident in women over the age of 55* • Drinking risk and cancer: Drinking any amount of alcohol regularly, does increase the risks of a range of cancers. • Drinking risk and gender: The overall health risks are broadly similar for men and women.

  4. What’s Changed? • Recommended limit of alcohol units for regular drinking is weekly not daily • Recommended weekly limit is the same for men as it is for women • There is currently no numerical recommended limit for single drinking episodes (drinking on any single occasion) • Recommendation for pregnant women and those planning to get pregnant is to abstaincompletely from drinking alcohol

  5. Advice on Regular Drinking • Safest not to drink regularly more than 14 units per week. • Best to spread this evenly over 3 days or more. • One or two heavy drinking sessions in a week increases risk of death from long term illnesses, accidents and injuries. • The risk of developing a range of illnesses including cancer, increases with any amount you drink on a regular basis.

  6. 14 Units of Alcohol

  7. Advice on Single Drinking Episodes • No numerical unit limit set for single drinking episodes (drinking on any single occasion)* Reduce risk by: • Limiting the total amount of alcohol you drink on any one occasion. • Drinking more slowly, drinking with food, and alternating with water • Avoiding risky places and activities, making sure you have people you know around, and ensuring you can get home safely.

  8. DoH Drinking Categories

  9. Advice on Drinking in Pregnancy • For women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all. • Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby; the more that is drunk the greater the risk. • The risk of harm to the baby is likely to be low if a woman has drunk only small amounts of alcohol before she knew she was pregnant or during pregnancy.

  10. Our Approach in Surrey • Communicate the new guidelines widely, including what they mean and advice on how they can be achieved/maintained. • Encourage and support people to either: i) continue drinking within the recommended limits or; ii) move towards drinking at lower risk levels. • Commissioning evidence-based interventions which promote healthy drinking behaviour and support those who wish to cut down

  11. Public Consultation • PHE-led public consultation on whether the recommendations and the reasons behind them, are clear and easy to understand. • Not seeking feedback on the scientific evidence or how the expert group has used it to decide on their recommendations. • Purpose is to ensure the guidelines are practical and useful. • Closes: 1st April 2016

  12. Weblinks • Health Matters: Harmful drinking and alcohol dependence: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-harmful-drinking-and-alcohol-dependence/health-matters-harmful-drinking-and-alcohol-dependence • CMO alcohol guidelines and consultation documents: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/health-risks-from-alcohol-new-guidelines

  13. Don’t Bottle It Up What is Don’t Bottle It Up? An interactive web-based screening tool that enables people to assess whether their drinking is putting their health at risk, and provides personalised feedback, advice and signposting to local support and services.

  14. Don’t Bottle It UpWebsite Visits & Alcohol Screens How do people find out about DBIU?* • 32% - Social media • 30% - Search engine • 16% - Link on another website

  15. Don’t Bottle It Up DataDrinking Risk Levels (YTD)

  16. Don’t Bottle It Up – Audit Screens

  17. www.dontbottleitup.org.uk Please promote this link widely to the public and within your own organisation. For further information please contact Gail Hughes: gail.hughes@surreycc.gov.uk

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