Drinking guidelines and the need for evidence beyond the epidemiological

Holmes, John; Angus, Colin; Meier, Petra; Buykx, Penny; Brennan, Alan

doi:10.1111/add.14564

Cited by 5 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(6 reference statements)

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“…While no other qualitative study of MUP has focused on people with experience of homelessness, there has been some research with other marginalized groups. Holmes et al (2022) explored the impact of MUP on harmful and dependent drinkers in Scotland and reported some evidence of reduction in alcohol consumption and switching from strong cider to vodka. Coping strategies were based on previous experiences when money was tight including cutting back on food, increasing borrowing and using food banks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alcohol specific deaths fell by around 10% in Scotland in 2019 , before rising again during the COVID pandemic (Angus, 2020;Holmes, 2023). Some research has focused on the impact and experiences of MUP among marginalised groups such as harmful and dependent drinkers (Holmes et al, 2022). Concerns that dependent drinkers would substitute illicit or non-beverage alcohol (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Concerns that dependent drinkers would substitute illicit or non-beverage alcohol (i.e. surrogate alcohol not intended for consumption such as mouthwash or hand sanitizer) or other substances, or steal if they could not afford their drink of choice were not borne out in practice (Holmes et al, 2022). However, Holmes et al (2022) found no clear evidence that MUP led to a reduction in the consumption of alcohol and some evidence of financial strain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…surrogate alcohol not intended for consumption such as mouthwash or hand sanitizer) or other substances, or steal if they could not afford their drink of choice were not borne out in practice (Holmes et al, 2022). However, Holmes et al (2022) found no clear evidence that MUP led to a reduction in the consumption of alcohol and some evidence of financial strain. None of the studies described above explore the lived experience of MUP among people experiencing homelessness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact Of Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing On People with experience of Homelessness: Qualitative Study

Emslie¹,

Dimova²,

O’Brien³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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BACKGROUND, Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) was introduced in Scotland in May 2018. Existing evidence suggests MUP can reduce alcohol consumption in the general population, but there is little research about its impact on vulnerable groups. This qualitative study aimed to explore experiences of MUP among people with experience of homelessness. METHODS We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 46 people with current or recent experience of homelessness who were current drinkers when MUP was introduced. Participants (30 men and 16 women) were aged 21 to 73 years. Interviews focused on views and experiences of MUP. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS People with experience of homelessness were aware of MUP but it was accorded low priority in their hierarchy of concerns. Reported impacts varied. Some participants reduced their drinking, or moved away from drinking strong white cider in line with policy intentions. Others were unaffected because the cost of their preferred drink (usually wine, vodka or beer) did not change substantially. A minority reported increased involvement in begging. Wider personal, relational and social factors also played an important role in participant responses to MUP. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that MUP worked as intended for some people with experience of homelessness, while a minority reported negative consequences. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the impact of population level health policies on marginalised groups. Policymakers in Scotland, and elsewhere, need to consider wider contextual factors that affect responses to MUP in people with experience of homelessness. It is important to invest further in secure housing and appropriate support services for people with experience of homelessness who consume alcohol, and implement and evaluate harm reduction initiatives such as managed alcohol programmes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Impact Of Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing On People with experience of Homelessness: Qualitative Study

Emslie¹,

Dimova²,

O’Brien³

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The report argued that drinkers switched from cheap alcohol to spirits based on increasing spirits sales, a switch which was seen among some drinkers in Scotland [16]. However, this increase has been shown to predate the MUP in prior research [14], which the report acknowledges.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Three years of minimum unit pricing in the Northern Territory, what does the evidence say?

Taylor

2023

Drug and Alcohol Review

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Not Too Much, Not Too Often, and Not Too Many: the Results of the First Large-Scale, International Project to Develop Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines

Young

Hodgins

Currie

et al. 2022

Int J Ment Health Addiction

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Until now, there has been no evidence-based, specific advice for people who gamble who want to reduce their risk of experiencing gambling harms. This paper presents the results from the first large-scale, comprehensive, international project to develop lower-risk gambling guidelines. Specifically, we calculated relative risk estimates to determine risk of harm across the range of possible limits for gambling frequency, expenditure, and number of types of gambling engaged in; conducted an online survey (n = 4583) of people who gamble to assess whether they understood and found credible the proposed quantitative limits; conducted a series of interviews and focus groups with people who gamble to assess self-control strategies and reactions to proposed quantitative limits; conducted a meta-analysis of problem gambling risk factors in the general population; and consulted with a pan-Canadian, multi-sectoral committee of stakeholders. Project outcomes were examined and deliberated by a working group of scientists who decided upon a set of recommendations for lower-risk gambling. This paper presents these recommendations.

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Drinking guidelines and the need for evidence beyond the epidemiological

Abstract: Commentary to: How should we set consumption thresholds for low risk drinking guidelines? Achieving objectivity and transparency using evidence, expert judgement and pragmatism.

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

The Impact Of Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing On People with experience of Homelessness: Qualitative Study

The Impact Of Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing On People with experience of Homelessness: Qualitative Study

Three years of minimum unit pricing in the Northern Territory, what does the evidence say?

Not Too Much, Not Too Often, and Not Too Many: the Results of the First Large-Scale, International Project to Develop Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines

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