Alcohol-related deaths 'rising'

January 29, 2008

This is interesting. My theory is that people these days drink more

because their lives are more stressful. You can point a finger at

alcohol and say " Alcohol is to blame for the deaths, " but what causes

people to drink this much in the first place.

Personally, I would love to see alcohol regulated the same way

smoking is regulated, but that will not happen because too many

people like booze way too much.

Tom

Administrator

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7208676.stm

Alcohol-related deaths 'rising'

The number of people in the UK dying from alcohol-related problems is

continuing to rise.

Office for National Statistics figures show there were 13.4 alcohol-

related deaths per 100,000 population in 2006 - up from 12.9 in 2005.

The mortality rate in men (18.3/100,000) was more than twice the rate

for females (8.8/100,000).

The overall death rate has almost doubled from 6.9 deaths per 100,000

people in 1991.

In total 8,758 deaths were linked to alcohol in 2006, compared to

4,144 deaths in 1991.

For men, the death rates in all age groups increased between 1991 and

2006.

The biggest increase was for men aged 35-54. Rates in this age group

more than doubled over the period, from 13.4 to 31.1 deaths per

100,000.

However, the highest rates in each year were for men aged 55-74.

Similar pattern in women

Death rates by age group for females were consistently lower than

rates for males.

However, the death rate for women aged 3554 doubled between 1991 and

2006, from 7.2 to 14.8 per 100,000 population.

Again, the highest rates in each year were for the 55-74 age group.

Soodeen, of the charity Alcohol Concern, said: " The link

between alcohol misuse and ill health is well established.

" However these figures reveal some disturbing trends. For the second

year in a row, the biggest rise in deaths has been among men aged 35-

54.

" It appears that for certain younger people who've been drinking

heavily for most of their lives, the consequences are beginning to

show themselves at ever earlier stages.

" It is vital that the government finally starts investing more in

alcohol treatment to help problem drinkers address these issues

before the situation becomes irretrievable. "

Dr Record, a liver disease consultant based in Newcastle,

said: " There is terrific pressure in society for people to drink.

Those that don't drink are considered to be freaks and abnormal.

" But the main reason why, we are drinking more is alcohol is too

cheap. Alcohol now is 50% less expensive that it was 25 years ago

and, needless to say, consumption has gone up by 50% pro rata. "

Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians,

was particularly concerned by the rise in deaths among women.

" My colleagues and I are certainly seeing more women with serious

liver damage than ever before in our clinics, " he said.

Tougher line call

s, of the British Liver Trust, said that a major part of

the problem was that alcohol was cheap, readily available and

glamorised by celebrities.

" The government desperately needs to take a tougher approach with the

alcohol and retail industry, clamping down on cheap promotions and

irresponsible advertising - particularly before the 9pm watershed.

" Clear and effective health warnings on alcohol like 'alcohol kills'

would also help in raising awareness of the damage that alcohol can

have. "

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was

launching a £10m education campaign to raise awareness of alcohol,

and reviewing alcohol pricing and promotion.

It had also toughened enforcement of underage sales by retailers, and

planned more help for people who wanted to drink less.

She said: " We know we're not going to change people's attitudes to

alcohol overnight - it's going to take time, but it's reassuring to

see that figures, published earlier this week, suggest alcohol

consumption is no longer on the rise. "

January 29, 2008

I would agree with the first part. But even then, drinking is much less common that it was even in the early 1900's and before. Back then water wasn't safe to drink so people drank beer and such instead. It also provided them with calories they might not otherwise get. Makes one wonder how the industrial revolution got off with so many workers drunk most of the time.

As for the second, Prohibition didn't work. The main problem, as you pointed out, was that too many people like to drink. All Prohibition did was to give rise to the mafia. What could be done is to impose high penalties for drunk driving, especially in the cases of causing accidents and deaths. That is, they should be considered premeditated acts because the drunk made the choice to get drunk. Even if they were later too impaired to drive is immaterial since it was the initial choice to get drunk that was at the root of the problem. If drunk drivers started going up on murder one charges and such, you would see the numbers start to drop.

In a message dated 1/28/2008 8:47:48 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, no_reply writes:

This is interesting. My theory is that people these days drink more because their lives are more stressful. You can point a finger at alcohol and say "Alcohol is to blame for the deaths," but what causes people to drink this much in the first place.Personally, I would love to see alcohol regulated the same way smoking is regulated, but that will not happen because too many people like booze way too much. TomAdministratorStart the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 29, 2008

I would agree with the first part. But even then, drinking is much less common that it was even in the early 1900's and before. Back then water wasn't safe to drink so people drank beer and such instead. It also provided them with calories they might not otherwise get. Makes one wonder how the industrial revolution got off with so many workers drunk most of the time.

As for the second, Prohibition didn't work. The main problem, as you pointed out, was that too many people like to drink. All Prohibition did was to give rise to the mafia. What could be done is to impose high penalties for drunk driving, especially in the cases of causing accidents and deaths. That is, they should be considered premeditated acts because the drunk made the choice to get drunk. Even if they were later too impaired to drive is immaterial since it was the initial choice to get drunk that was at the root of the problem. If drunk drivers started going up on murder one charges and such, you would see the numbers start to drop.

In a message dated 1/28/2008 8:47:48 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, no_reply writes:

This is interesting. My theory is that people these days drink more because their lives are more stressful. You can point a finger at alcohol and say "Alcohol is to blame for the deaths," but what causes people to drink this much in the first place.Personally, I would love to see alcohol regulated the same way smoking is regulated, but that will not happen because too many people like booze way too much. TomAdministratorStart the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 29, 2008

I can agree with that. But something does have to be done with these people that have like 20 or 30 DUIs but still manage to get behind the wheel.

In a message dated 1/29/2008 5:44:11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, no_reply writes:

I would agree to this provided some sort of funded recovery program was in effect so that alcoholics could be cured of their disease if possible and denied the right to drive if not. Everyone who has an addiction of whatever kind does make a choice to use, but there are physical as well as psychological dependencies involved that sometimes compel people to use with little or not control. For instance, they drive to the liquor store, pick up some booze, and begin drinking, but cannot remember the drive there or the drive back. I also think that at the core, the problem goes deeper than a simple addiction in many cases. There are psychological problems that cause people to abuse themselves, and it might help if therapy was available for these people. Tom AdministratorStart the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 29, 2008

" What could be done is to impose high penalties for drunk driving,

especially in the cases of causing accidents and deaths. That is, they

should be considered premeditated acts because the drunk made the

choice to get drunk. Even if they were later too impaired to drive is

immaterial since it was the initial choice to get drunk that was at the

root of the problem. If drunk drivers started going up on murder one

charges and such, you would see the numbers start to drop. "

I would agree to this provided some sort of funded recovery program was

in effect so that alcoholics could be cured of their disease if

possible and denied the right to drive if not.

Everyone who has an addiction of whatever kind does make a choice to

use, but there are physical as well as psychological dependencies

involved that sometimes compel people to use with little or not

control. For instance, they drive to the liquor store, pick up some

booze, and begin drinking, but cannot remember the drive there or the

drive back.

I also think that at the core, the problem goes deeper than a simple

addiction in many cases. There are psychological problems that cause

people to abuse themselves, and it might help if therapy was available

for these people.

Tom

Administrator

February 4, 2008

>

> I would agree with the first part. But even then, drinking is much

less

> common that it was even in the early 1900's and before. Back then

water wasn't

> safe to drink so people drank beer and such instead. It also

provided them with

> calories they might not otherwise get. Makes one wonder how the

industrial

> revolution got off with so many workers drunk most of the time.

>

>>

>

> no_reply writes:

>

> This is interesting. My theory is that people these days drink

more

> because their lives are more stressful. You can point a finger at

> alcohol and say " Alcohol is to blame for the deaths, " but what

causes

> people to drink this much in the first place.

>

> Personally, I would love to see alcohol regulated the same way

> smoking is regulated, but that will not happen because too many

> people like booze way too much.

>

> Tom

> Administrator

>

This topic is interesting because of two things. Alcohol is

destructive. It isn't debatable so kids (teens can do it for two

reasons 1. To thumb a nose at authority 2.To hurt themselves)

Adults may rationialize their drinking but it follows for adults as

a " numb-er " annd escape Or to hurt themselves(like passive agressive

suicide) If I have a glass of alcohol(I am already effected) any

more than that and I am likely to be ill. All the while I know that

this serves no purpose(I use it to stand social situations, so that I

am numb enough to be near calm) In truth it just keeps me from

running away screaming. But I was really referring to excess.

Alcohol is insidious because the belief is that it makes the troubles

go away but the troubles are just on hold, and in most cases it

causes it's own trouble, besides the die off of neurons and the

damage to cilia in the inner ear(effects hearing) Perhaps that is a

side benefit(you can't hear your troubles)

I know the issue isn't black and white but I do wish it was treated

more like smoking. Perhaps if the ill effects were documented as

much as the news about britney spears, people would not engage in the

activity. mimi (oh there is another reason Monkey see monkey do)

Mirror neurons anyone??

February 4, 2008

" Adults may rationialize their drinking but it follows for adults as

a " numb-er " annd escape Or to hurt themselves(like passive agressive

suicide). "

I agree, and before the leaners and fence sitters and lurkers

say " Yeah well, you WOULD agree, you're RELIGIOUS, " let me just say

that I come from a family where, yes, my father's mother was a

teetotler, but my mother's entire family were drinkers.

Given the choice between a wound up socially uncomfortable

grandmother and a bunch of uproarious jerks, I would take my

grandmother's company anyday.

My mom is an alcoholic, and she uses it to blunt all the negative

feelings she has about the world. Out of all of her sisters, her

husband is the most well-to-do. She has everything she has ever

wanted, except two extra kids and more socializing. So she is

not " content " and drinks for that reason.

" If I have a glass of alcohol(I am already effected) any

more than that and I am likely to be ill. "

The last one I had was with Raven actually, which was some months

ago. I tend to drink so little, that if my parents offer it to me at

Christmas or Thanksgiving or Easter dinner, I usually tell them maybe

afterwards and then simply forget the offer unintentionally. Then I

remember, but by that time, the wine has been consumed already.

" All the while I know that this serves no purpose(I use it to stand

social situations, so that I am numb enough to be near calm) In truth

it just keeps me from running away screaming. But I was really

referring to excess. "

That is what I use it for as well. I would note that I am still not

at ease in social situation with one glass of booze under my belt,

but I feel a bit more like a don't care what other people think about

me. This is different from losing inhibitions. It does not matter how

much I drink. I have always been able to possess self-control.

" Alcohol is insidious because the belief is that it makes the troubles

go away but the troubles are just on hold, and in most cases it

causes it's own trouble, besides the die off of neurons and the

damage to cilia in the inner ear(effects hearing) Perhaps that is a

side benefit(you can't hear your troubles). "

I agree with everything...and my mother is losing her hearing.

" I know the issue isn't black and white but I do wish it was treated

more like smoking. Perhaps if the ill effects were documented as

much as the news about britney spears, people would not engage in the

activity. mimi (oh there is another reason Monkey see monkey do)

Mirror neurons anyone?? "

I agree.

Tom

Administrator

February 4, 2008