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• School of Health and Social Care

Dr John Foster – Reader in Alcohol Policy and Mental Health.

June 2013

The impact of home drinking on families.

Quote from the Guardian –Oct 2013

• “We live in an alcogenic culture, awash with cheap liquor, where drunkeness has become normalised. It should come as no surprise that children are mimicking their parents.”

• Women we’ve got to talk about our drinking.• Ann Dowsett Johnston.

Home Drinking and the Family• Alcohol consumption outside the home

declined by 40% 2001-2008• Off-sales increased 24%: 2001-2008• British Beer and Pub and Association:

(figures end of 2007)- % Off-sales• 84% wine• 77% spirits• 44% beer

Main findings from research:

• Reasons for home drinking are cost, convenience and relaxation.

• Acute risks such as being sick or falling over are acknowledged – long term health risk are minimised.

• Preloading is a misunderstood phenomena.• Cost is not the only driver.• Space for socialisation.• Although most research has focused on young people

some evidence this may be popular for women 20-50.

Risks to the Family 1:

• Obvious risks of invisible drinking.• Domestic Violence• Abuse • Dependence.• Accidents• A&E and ambulance use.

Messages that are conveyed in a family setting

Drinking alcohol is normal and fun.• If you dont drink you are not a fun person.• Intoxication is normal and tolerated?• There are times –parties, Xmas etc where

intoxication is expected.• People who drink alcohol are sophisticated.• In short drinking alcohol is normalised.• Alcohol is part of a normal weeks shopping.

The way these messages are conveyed.

• How we talk about alcohol.- numerous jokey comments

• Numerous times when we make comments about alcohol that we would not ascribe to illicit drugs.- There is a glass of wine when I get home.

• Behaviour- Wine O’Clock- • The message that I relax, sleep better when I

have had a drink.