Perceptions of alcohol health warning labels in a large international cross-sectional survey of people who drink alcohol

Aims This paper aimed to explore perceptions of alcohol health warning labels amongst a large international sample of people who drink alcohol. Methods The Global Drug Survey (GDS) is the world’s largest annual cross sectional survey of drug use. Seven health warning labels were presented (relating to heart disease, liver, cancer, calories, violence, taking two days off and the myth of benefits to moderate drinking). People were asked if they were aware of the information, believed it, if it was personally relevant, and if it would change their drinking. This paper included data from 75,969 respondents from 29 countries/regions who reported the use of alcohol in the last 12 months, collected during November–December 2017 (GDS2018). Results The fact that drinking less can reduce the risk of seven types of cancer was the least well known, and yet was demonstrated to encourage almost 40% of drinkers to consider drinking less. Women and high risk drinkers were more likely to indicate they would reduce their drinking in response to all labels. Personal relevance was identified as a key predictor of individual responses. Conclusion Findings highlight the potential of a range of health messages displayed on alcoholic beverages to raise awareness of alcohol-related harms and potentially support a reduction in drinking. Further research should explore what influences personal relevance of messages as this may be a barrier to effectiveness

Impacts of changes in alcohol consumption patterns during the first 2020 COVID-19 restrictions for people with and without mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions: A cross sectional study in 13 countries

Background: The initial period of COVID-19-related restrictions affected substance use in some population groups. We explored how changes in alcohol use at the beginning of the pandemic impacted the health and wellbeing of people with and without mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions (MHDCs). Methods: Data came from the Global Drug Survey Special Edition on COVID-19 conducted in May-June 2020. Measured were; changes in drinking compared to February 2020 (pre-COVID-19 restrictions), reasons for changes, and impact on physical health, mental health, relationships, finances, work/study, and enjoyment. This study included 38,141 respondents (median age = 32 IQR 25-45; 51.9% cis man; 47.8% cis woman; 1.2% trans/nonbinary; 30.2% with MHDCs e.g. depression 20.0%, anxiety 16.3%, ADHD 3.8%, PTSD 3.3%). Results: A third (35.3%) of respondents with MHDCs and 17.8% without MHDCs indicated that increased drinking affected their mental health negatively (p < .001); 44.2% of respondents with MHDCS compared to 32.6% without MHDCs said it affected their physical health negatively (p < .001). Reduced drinking was associated with better mental health among a fifth (21.1%) of respondents with MHDCS and 14.4% without MHDCs (p < .001). Age, relationship status, living arrangements, employment, coping and distress were significant predictors of increases in drinking. Conclusion: Among people with MHDCS, reduced alcohol consumption was associated with better mental health, while the negative effects of increased drinking were more pronounced when compared to people without MHDCS. When supporting people in reducing alcohol consumption during uncertain times, people with MHDCS may need additional support, alongside those experiencing greater levels of distress

The pleasures and pains of mephedrone use: Perceptions of users and practitioners

Aim: There is no shortage of information on the potential consequences of consuming mephedrone. However, these assessments relate primarily to the physical and psychological effects of the drug. Less attention is paid to the social harms to the user or broader society. The aim of this paper is to investigate the physical, psychological and social harms and benefits of mephedrone use as perceived by users and practitioners. Methods: The findings reported here are based on: (1) semi-structured interviews with 12 mephedrone users and (2) semi-structured interviews with 20 practitioners. Findings: The most common perceived benefits of mephedrone consumption were the intensity of the “high”, feelings of happiness, enhanced confidence and its ability to suppress negative feelings associated with a range of problems. Its social benefits mainly concerned enhancing social skills (e.g. enabling conversation) and helping to make friends. The most frequently mentioned harms were physical disorders, such as the negative effects of snorting on nose tissues and injecting on the skin and veins, as well as psychological harms, such as depression, paranoia, hallucinations and sleep disorders. The main social problems were the effects of mephedrone use on family life, employment, finances and involvement in acquisitive and violent crime. Conclusions: Future research should continue to explore the full range of positive and negative effects of mephedrone use on users and those close to them to establish a solid evidence base from which to inform treatment and prevention

BAP updated guidelines: evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of substance abuse, harmful use, addiction and comorbidity: recommendations from BAP

The British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines for the treatment of substance abuse, harmful use, addiction and comorbidity with psychiatricdisorders primarily focus on their pharmacological management. They are based explicitly on the available evidence and presented as recommendationsto aid clinical decision making for practitioners alongside a detailed review of the evidence. A consensus meeting, involving experts in the treatment ofthese disorders, reviewed key areas and considered the strength of the evidence and clinical implications. The guidelines were drawn up after feedbackfrom participants. The guidelines primarily cover the pharmacological management of withdrawal, short- and long-term substitution, maintenance ofabstinence and prevention of complications, where appropriate, for substance abuse or harmful use or addiction as well management in pregnancy,comorbidity with psychiatric disorders and in younger and older people