Predictors of and reasons for attempts to reduce alcohol intake: A population survey of adults in England

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the predictors among high-risk drinkers in England of attempts to reduce alcohol consumption, the reasons given for these attempts and the association between the various reasons and alcohol consumption.MethodData came from 2,800 high-risk drinkers taking part in the Alcohol Toolkit Study (ATS) between March 2014 and November 2016 who were attempting to reduce their alcohol consumption. Participants completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and were asked questions regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, attempts to cut down and reasons for doing so.ResultsThose cutting down were significantly older (OR 1.01, p<0.001), were more likely to be female (OR 1.32, p<0.05), had higher AUDIT-C scores (OR 1.12, p<0. 001), were less likely to be of white ethnicity (OR 0.64, p<0. 001), and were more likely to reside in the South of England (OR 1.34, p<0. 001). They were also more likely to be of higher occupationally-based social-grades (p<0. 001). The main reported reasons for reducing consumption were: fitness (22.5%), weight loss (20.4%), future health (20.4%), advice from a health-care professional (7.9%) and cost (7.6%). Those reporting the followings reasons for cutting down had higher AUDIT-C scores than those who did not report these reasons: a concern about further health problems (β 0.20, p<0.05), advice from a doctor/health worker (β 0.38, p<0.05), that drinking was too expensive (β 0.42, p<0.01) and detoxification (β 0.42, p<0.01). Lower AUDIT-C scores were noted among those who reported that they knew someone who was cutting down (β -0.67, p<0.05), that there was no reason (β -0.36, p<0.05), or they didn’t know why they were cutting down (β -0.25, p<0.05).ConclusionsAround a fifth of high-risk drinkers in England report trying to reduce their drinking, particularly older, high-socioeconomic female drinkers from the south of England. Attempts to cut down appear to be driven by a desire to improve health, advice from others and cutting down on the cost of drinking.

Motivation to reduce alcohol consumption and subsequent attempts at reduction and changes in consumption in increasing and higher‐risk drinkers in England: a prospective population survey

“…Previous studies have found similarly that those reporting motivators to cut down (e.g. cost, health and advice from others) tend to be more dependent than those reporting that there were no reasons for reducing their alcohol consumption . The results from this study confirm findings from our previous assessment of temporal trends in consumption and motivation in the English population .…”

“…A recent general population study in England based on the same survey as the current study found that there is a clear temporal pattern in attempts to reduce alcohol consumption, with a peak in January, but little evidence of any changes in actual consumption . In the same sample, the strongest motivations for cutting down included weight, fitness, the cost of alcohol, concerns about future health problems and advice from others . Close to a quarter of high‐risk drinkers also stated that there was no reason for cutting down or that they did not know why they were cutting down, indicating that a clear motive may not always be necessary for behaviour change.…”

Association between smoking and alcohol‐related behaviours: a time–series analysis of population trends in England

“…Survey data suggest that many smokers follow this advice, with increased rates of attempts to reduce alcohol consumption and less frequent binge drinking among those having recently begun an attempt to quit smoking 27. It is also possible that when smokers stop, this is part of a broader attempt to reduce their health risks that would include a reduction in alcohol consumption as well 28, 29, 30. A third possibility is that not smoking makes it easier to reduce alcohol consumption or vice versa, because each provides a cue for the other or because of pharmacological interactions between nicotine and alcohol 31, 32.…”

Reducing the standard serving size of alcoholic beverages prompts reductions in alcohol consumption

“…Alcohol consumption contributes to premature death and ill health , and alcohol‐related harm places a substantial burden on society . Approximately 25% of alcohol consumers in England drink at higher‐risk levels, and 20% of high‐risk drinkers attempt to reduce their alcohol consumption . However, attempts to cut down do not lead often to actual reductions in alcohol consumption .…”