Key Facts, Findings and Recommendations from Cheers? Report

Key Facts

• The UK ranks 22 out of 185 countries in alcohol consumption.

• 38% of men and 16% of women drink above recommended limits and can be classed as having an alcohol use disorder.
• 1.1 million people in the UK are dependent on alcohol.
• 70% of men who commit suicide have drunk alcohol before doing so.
• Almost a third of suicides amongst young people are committed when a young person is intoxicated.

Findings

Report National Opinion Poll Findings

• 88% say they would find it difficult to give up alcohol completely
• 77% say alcohol makes them feel relaxed
• 63% say alcohol makes them feel happy
• 51% say alcohol makes them feel less inhibited
• 41% say alcohol makes them feel more confident
• 44% say alcohol makes them able to fit in socially
• 40% say alcohol makes them feel less anxious
• 31% say alcohol makes them able to make friends more easily

Recommendations

1. All alcohol-related public health materials, training and teaching should cover mental health aspects of alcohol misuse/use.

2. Government should invest more in treatment services, especially specialist services for people with dual diagnosis and generally in services treating alcohol dependency. The latter should have clearly defined pathways to mental health services for support and treatment.

3. Psychology treatment centres should have staff trained in delivering CBT to people with alcohol dependency and concurrent anxiety or depression.

4. Government should consider the mental health consequences of policies surrounding alcohol as part of the impact assessment process.

5. Health warnings should be introduced on alcohol packaging and include the warning “Excessive use of alcohol can damage your mental health.”

6. Government should target people with mental health problems with health promotion advice and active support in managing issues such as alcohol use.

7. In primary care settings, identified individuals who are using alcohol to ‘treat’ underlying problems such as stress, depression or anxiety should be able to benefit from alternative approaches to managing mental health problems. These include talking therapies, exercise, diet, self-help groups and spirituality.

8. Increased education about the association between alcohol use and mental health in schools should be used to alert people to the potential risks of using alcohol to self-medicate. Education about the complex reasons for alcohol use and misuse is also vital.

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