The Drinker’s Effect on the Social Environment: A Conceptual Framework for Studying Alcohol’s Harm to Others

Abstract

The paper considers conceptual and methodological issues in studying the scope of alcohol’s harm to others. Reasons are suggested for the relative neglect of the topic. The approaches in two relevant research traditions are considered: population surveys on alcohol problems, and economic cost of alcohol studies. Ways of conceptualizing and measuring aspects of the drinker’s effects on others are considered, in terms of main types of relationship with the other, and in terms of major societal response institutions. The main types of data tend to measure different levels of severity, with population survey data dominated by less severe problems, and response institution data by more severe problems; so both are needed for a three-dimensional view. Research questions for the field and its policy significance are noted.

Alcohol Consumption as a Risk Factor for Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review of Associations at the Individual and at the Population Level

“…Regarding possible indirect effects, there are some indications that alcohol abuse or alcohol intoxication may impact on suicidal behaviour in other family members, as children or spouses (Grøholt, Ekeberg et al 2000;Kizza, Hjelmeland et al 2012;Rossow and Moan 2012). Likely mechanisms include the adverse effects of alcohol abuse on other family members such as physical or emotional abuse and financial problems (Room, Ferris et al 2010), which in turn may increase the risk for suicidal behaviour in affected family members.…”

Alcohol abuse in cancer patients: a shadow side in the oncological field and research

“…Society confirms that drinking is acceptable if carried out in the right way, at the right place, and in the right amount that does not interfere with the person being able to meet his or her responsibilities as workers, parents, etcetera (Groenkjaer et al, 2011;Emslie et al, 2012). Studies show that people with alcohol abuse often cause harm to others, especially in their close relationships (Peled and Sacks, 2008;Room et al, 2010;Casswell et al, 2011). Doing harm to others and to oneself is often related to a taboo (Järvinen, 1998), which means that it is often difficult to articulate an alcohol abuse in different social contexts, including a oncological healthcare context.…”

Support for community pharmacy-based alcohol interventions: a Scottish general public survey

“…2 Hazardous, harmful and dependent alcohol consumption harms families, relationships, businesses and government. 3 One in 20 deaths in Scotland is attributable to alcohol 4 , with estimates of the total personal, social and economic cost of alcohol in Scotland equating to £7.5 billion per year. 5 The contribution of community pharmacy to public health has been recognised and valued for many years by policy makers and the public [6][7][8][9] with evidence of benefit in smoking cessation, 10 This study aimed to determine the Scottish general public's views regarding the role and involvement of community pharmacists in reducing alcohol consumption amongst customers and alcohol-related harm.…”