Alcohol and Its Effect Assesment Report

Alcohol and Its Effect
Alcohol use disorder is a risky drinking pattern which involves difficulties in controlling the
amount of alcohol consumption thereby leading to chronic relapse of the brain. Alcohol use
disorder is characterized by compulsive use of alcohol and negative state of emotions when not
using it. According to Grant et al. (2015), the disorders associated with excessive alcohol
consumption are highly disabling and have been linked to different physical and psychiatric
cormobodities. Globally, alcohol use disorders are among the most prevalent. World Health
Organization (2018) argues that 3 million deaths are as a result of alcohol abuse every year, this
represents 5.3% of all deaths. An overall 5.1% of diseases and injuries are attributed to excessive
consumption of alcohol globally (WHO, 2018). Furthermore, 107 million are estimated to have
alcohol use disorder globally (Ritchie, & Roser, 2018). This paper discusses the prevalence of
alcohol use disorder globally and in India. It also addresses the population which is most at risk
as well as the strategies that have been used before and their effectiveness.
Epidemiology; Incidence and Prevalence
Research by WHO (2018) found that an overall 5.1% global burden of disease and injury are
attributed to alcohol use disorder globally. Excessive consumption of alcohol results into
premature deaths and diseases such as high blood pressure, mental health problems, social
problems, alcohol dependence and stillbirth in pregnant women. Ritchie, H., & Roser, M. (2018)
argues that research by Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that in 2017, 2.84
million people prematurely died from alcohol use disorder globally. However, there is a
reduction in premature deaths from 45 in every 100,000 people in 1990s to 35 in every 100,000
people in 2017. Sepanlouet al. (2020) found that 1.32 million died in 2017 due to cirrhosis, 10.6

million prevalent cases of decompensated cases and 112 million compensated cirrhosis cases
globally.
Alcohol use disorder is one of the top most health risk factors which cause death. Being the third
largest market for alcoholic beverages in the world, India/s per capita consumption has been
increasing yearly. The prevalence rate of alcohol use disorder is 39.4% with 17.7% heavy
drinkers (Verenkar, & Vaz, 2018). In 2005, the estimated number of alcohol users in India was
62.5 million with 17% being dependent users who accounted for 20% to 30% of hospital
admissions (Ramanan, & Singh, 2016). However the prevalence rate is lower in Western part of
Gujarat with 7% prevalence and highest in Arunachal Pradesh with 75% prevalence rate. 15
people per 100,000 die in India due to alcohol related disorders (Manimunda eta. 2017).
Cohort most at risk
The risks and health issues related to alcohol use disorders are historically prevalent in men than
wommen (Slade et al. 2016). Research conducted by Ritchie, and Roser, (2018) revealed that
70% of people with alcohol use disorder are male. Sepanlou et al. (2020) further reveals that
33.3% of total deaths resulting from alcohol use disorder are females while 66.7% are males.
This means that more male people are highly affected by alcohol use disorder as compared to
females. In 2012, 7.6% of total deaths attributed to alcohol use disorder were males with females
recording 4% (WHO,nd). Although alcohol use disorder is common among males, most of them
are young. WHO (2018) revealed that 13.5% of total deaths attributed to alcohol use disorder are
in the age group of 20-39 years.
In India, alcohol is not common in females as is males. In 2016, 9.1% cases of alcohol use
disorder were males with 0.5% females (Total population, 2016). Research conducted by

Verenkar and Vaz, 2018) found that consumption of alcohol has shifted from old people to
young adolescents of both genders. However most females are light drinkers compared to male.
This can be attributed to socioeconomic factors. Young adolescents in higher economic classes
are likely to be suffer from alcohol use disorder since they can afford it, or even access it in
parties and clubs. Also early exposure could lead to alcohol use disorder at early ages. Also, peer
pressure is a great contributor towards this shift.
Health Promotion strategies
Prevention of alcohol use disorder is very critical in its identification and management. Creation
of awareness and community mobilization are all essential components in ensuring alcohol free
community. One promotion strategy is making alcohol illegal in some parts of India. This
prohibition only exempts consumption if it is for medicinal purposes. This health promotion
strategy has been very successful in the states where it has been implemented as having access to
alcohol has proved futile. Another health promotion strategy is ensuring that all organizations
implement policies on alcohol consumption at workplace. This has helped reduce the number of
accidents resulting from alcohol use disorder. The location of liquor vendors are also enablers of
alcohol use disorder. Most of these places have since then been turned into food stores and
recreational facilities to prevent young adolescents from accessing alcohol. This has seen
reduction in the number of alcohol use disorder among many people as they are not easily
exposed to liquor stored. School-based awareness programs have also been started so as to tech
young children the effects of alcohol and its consequences. This strategy has imparted viable
knowledge on children thereby enabling them make better life choices. Early intervention is very
critical in preventing further damage.