O'May Fiona, Whittaker Anne, Black Heather, Gill Jan
School of Health Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, East Lothian, UK.
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh, UK.
Drug Alcohol Rev. 2017 Mar;36(2):192-199. doi: 10.1111/dar.12403. Epub 2016 Apr 13.
Research highlights the need to better understand the impact of alcohol-related harm on families and communities. Scottish policy initiatives to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm include the planned introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol. We aimed to explore existing and proposed changes in alcohol policy, from the standpoint of heavy drinkers, through accounts of their involvement and repercussions for family and friends.
Interviews were conducted with 20 heavy drinkers, recruited from hospital alcohol treatment centres in Scotland's two largest cities. Participants were part of a larger longitudinal mixed methods study. Interviews explored experiences of alcohol-related harm and the impact, or potential impact, of alcohol policy changes on drinking patterns, risk-taking, consumption and wellbeing. Data coded for 'family and friends' were thematically analysed using a constant comparison method.
Family and friends were portrayed as important for aiding moderation and abstinence, but more often for sustaining continued heavy drinking. Heavy drinkers with complex needs and those living in deprived communities suggested that increased alcohol prices could exacerbate the detrimental effect on their health and social circumstances, and that of their family, should their consumption remain excessive.
Population level policy initiatives to reduce alcohol consumption, such as minimum unit pricing, will impact on the families and social networks of heavy drinkers in addition to the drinker. The most vulnerable may be affected disproportionately. Alcohol policy changes and evaluations need to consider consequences for drinkers, families and communities. [O'May F, Whittaker A, Black H, Gill J. The families and friends of heavy drinkers: Caught in the cross-fire of policy change? Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:192-199].
研究强调了更深入了解酒精相关危害对家庭和社区影响的必要性。苏格兰旨在减少酒精消费及酒精相关危害的政策举措包括计划引入酒精最低限价。我们旨在从酗酒者的角度，通过了解他们的参与情况及其对家人和朋友的影响，来探究现行及拟议的酒精政策变化。
对从苏格兰两个最大城市的医院酒精治疗中心招募的20名酗酒者进行了访谈。参与者是一项更大规模的纵向混合方法研究的一部分。访谈探讨了与酒精相关危害的经历，以及酒精政策变化对饮酒模式、冒险行为、消费和幸福感的影响或潜在影响。对编码为“家人和朋友”的数据采用持续比较法进行主题分析。
家人和朋友被描述为有助于节制饮酒和戒酒的重要因素，但更多时候是维持持续酗酒的因素。有复杂需求的酗酒者以及生活在贫困社区的酗酒者表示，如果他们继续过度饮酒，提高酒精价格可能会加剧对他们自身及其家人健康和社会状况的不利影响。
诸如最低限价等旨在减少酒精消费的人口层面政策举措，除了会影响饮酒者外，还将对酗酒者的家庭和社交网络产生影响。最弱势群体可能受到的影响尤甚。酒精政策的变化及评估需要考虑对饮酒者、家庭和社区的影响。[奥梅F，惠特克A，布莱克H，吉尔J。酗酒者的家人和朋友：陷入政策变革的交叉火力？《药物与酒精评论》2017年；36:192 - 199]
