Alcohol News

Alcohol Responsible for More Homicides Than Other Substances

Posted on by azalcrehabctr

Studies show that alcohol is the number one catalyst for homicides, surpassing drugs like cocaine and heroin almost five times over. Since the number of people who abuse cocaine has been cut nearly in half, there are less violent outbreaks from that group of substance abusers. Heroin accounted for only 3% of homicides. Homicides that involved alcohol accounted for 35% of those fatalities.

This correlation likely stems from the fact that alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions. When someone is under the influence, they are more likely to feel justified in starting a fight and they are more likely to feel that the can overpower someone else. They are also more aggressive and less logical, which is a dangerous mix. Studies show that in the homicides involving alcohol, it’s not just those who commit the crime who are usually under the influence – the victims commonly have consumed alcohol as well.

Homicide cases were investigated around five counties surrounding Chicago as a sample population to determine what factor alcohol played in the fatalities. About 40% of homicide victims had alcohol in their blood. Almost all of the victims were men and almost all the fatalities were caused by gunshot wounds.

While focusing on eliminating drug abuse is vital, it is clear that we need to continue to focus on the issues surrounding alcohol abuse. Sending those who are alcohol dependent to treatment would help this problem, however many people do not have access to effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Unfortunately, insurance presents another obstacle. Many people who fit the criteria for alcohol abuse do not have insurance to pay for treatment. Continuing efforts to discourage binge drinking and alcohol abuse is a crucial step in helping to prevent these tragic crimes.

Even Light Alcohol Consumption Not a Health Benefit

Posted on by azalcrehabctr

Several years ago a study came out stating that alcohol was good for your health. The studies showed that drinking in moderation could be good for your heart. However, a new study was conducted showing that this is not true. Alcohol is not good for your health. According to the new study, one drink a day that contains alcohol could increase the risk of heart disease.

The study looked at information taken from 260,000 people. The outcome of the study was that even those that do not consume much alcohol could cut their risk for heart disease by cutting down on the amount of alcohol they drink. “The best thing to do is to reduce consumption to reduce blood pressure and risk of heart disease” said Juan Casas, professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and also the lead author of the study. Casas hopes that the study will influence policy makers now that they know that alcohol does not carry any health benefits. He explained that when people thought that there might be some healthy components to drinking in moderation it was hard to decide how much was too much. Now that the results are in and alcohol only does harm to people, policy makers can adjust laws accordingly.

The study looked at people that carried a variant of the alcohol dehydrogenase 1B gene. This gene causes unpleasant side effects when drinking; therefore these people tend to drink less. When researchers studied these people they found that they have a 10% lower risk of coronary heart disease, they have lower blood pressure and a lower body mass index.

Casas explained that previous studies, stating that consuming alcohol in moderate amounts was healthy for one’s heart, did not take into effect the lifestyle of those who didn’t consume alcohol. Casas points out that those who do not drink, or rarely drink, are more likely to participate in physical activity and lead generally healthier lives. Casas also said that the previous studies included those individuals who didn’t drink because of health reasons. That would falsely indicate that people who do not drink are unhealthy.

Lawmakers are currently reviewing the guidelines on how much to drink, they are taking this study into account.

Alcohol Ads Targeting Teens

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A study conducted by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) took a look at alcohol advertising and what demographic is most likely to be targeted. What they found is startling to some – ads for alcohol are being seen most by under-aged drinkers. In fact, when this was further investigated, researchers found that some of the most popular alcohol brands were behind the movement to target those under the legal drinking age.

Bud Light and Coors Light beer as well as Smirnoff and Absolut vodka were the biggest offenders. Their ads are placed in areas that have a heavy teen traffic pattern. These companies are taking out ads in magazines such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine, US Weekly and Vogue – whose following are largely readers under 21.

The study is the first of its kind. No other research group has taken a look at the amount of exposure a younger demographic has towards alcohol ads. According to the study, males between the ages of 18 and 20 are nine times more likely to view ads related to alcoholic beverages, specifically the alcoholic beverages made by Bud Light beer. Females in the same age group are five times more likely to see ads for Bud Light beer.

One of the researchers commented on the oddity that Bud Light beer and other top alcoholic beverage companies would spend so much money on advertising to those who cannot legally purchase their product. There is not much government regulation when it comes to alcohol advertising. Generally, the alcohol companies regulate themselves. Most companies do not advertise in magazines that where more than 30 percent of the readers are under the age of 21. In the case of these companies, they are doing the exact opposite.

While the researchers are not saying that the alcohol companies are doing this on purpose, they are pointing out that this practice has to change. Some may speculate that they are trying to build brand loyalty before the legal drinking age, but advertising to them now certainly can have negative consequences.