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Introduction and Aims: Few general population studies have examined connections between harms and the social contexts where people drink. We examine how the dominant characteristics of respondents' latest drinking occasions are associated with self-reported alcohol-related harm and to what extent the associations function over and above the effects of drinking patterns.Design and Methods: We used a general population sample of Finns aged 15-69 years in 2008 (n = 2725, response rate 73.6%). Data from 2362 respondents detailed the characteristics of drinking occasions, such as circumstance, location, company and timing for 8713 recent drinking occasions. Harms analysed were aggressive behaviour (fights and arguments while drinking) and being asked to cut down on drinking by family members (informal control of drinking).Results: With drinking patterns held constant, fights and arguments were more common among men whose drinking occasions started early or were described as 'visits', and among women where occasions ended late or occurred in mixed-gender groups. Requests to cut down were less frequent among men drinking mostly in connection with sauna bathing and meals or in single-gender company and among women who mostly drank in licensed premises or at weekends. Requests to cut down were more common among women drinking mostly in the company of friends.Discussion and Conclusions: Fights and arguments were associated with the timing of drinking occasions and some characteristics related to social interaction, while requests from family members to cut down were common when drinking extended beyond special occasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims. Few studies of the implementation of alcohol brief interventions (ABI) have been conducted in community settings such as mental health, social work and criminal justice teams. This qualitative interview study sought to explore the impact of training on ABI delivery by staff from a variety of such teams. Design and Methods. Fifteen semi-structured telephone interviews were carried out with trained practitioners and with managers to explore the use of, perceived need for and approaches to ABI delivery and recording with clients, and compatibility of ABIs with current practice. Interviews were analysed thematically using an inductive approach. Results. Very few practitioners reported delivery of any ABIs following training primarily because they felt ABIs to be inappropriate for their clients. According to practitioners, this was either because they drank too much or too little to benefit. Practitioners reported a range of current activities relating to alcohol, and some felt that their knowledge and confidence were improved following training. One practitioner reported ABI delivery and was considered a training success, while expectations of ABIs did not fit with current practice including assessment procedures for the remainder. Discussion and Conclusions. Identified barriers to ABI delivery included issues relating to individual practitioners, their teams, current practice and the ABI model. They are likely to be best addressed by strategic team- and setting-specific approaches to implementation, of which training is only one part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims. To examine alcohol consumed during a drinking event (a single drinking occasion) by those attending public house/on-trade establishments on nights with standard pricing and nights with promotional prices. Design and Methods. Data (n = 425) were collected in an ecological momentary assessment over eight nights in two locations (Midlands and London) on both promotional and standard (Saturday) nights. Multiple regression was used to predict event alcohol consumption by sex, age, type of night, alcohol preloading behaviour,marital and employment status, education, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test alcohol consumption questions separately or total AUDIT-C and social group size. Results. Mean (UK) units consumed were 11.8 (London) and 14.4 (Midlands). In London, consumption was similar on promotional and standard nights, but in the Midlands, standard night consumption was three units higher. Preloading was reported by 30%; more common on standard nights. Regression analyses revealed being male, preloading and past-year total AUDIT-C were associated with higher event consumption. However, when AUDIT-C questions were added separately, being a standard night was associated with increased event consumption and different AUDIT-C questions were significantly associated with event consumption in each location. Discussion and Conclusions.Event consumption reflected heavy episodic drinking and was influenced by price. Promotional night consumption either matched standard Saturday night consumption or was slightly lower. In London, there was a significant preference for drinking at least one promotional beverage on promotional nights.On standard nights, consumption was over a wider range of venues, and preloading with off-trade alcohol was more likely. [McClatchley K, Shorter GW, Chalmers J. Deconstructing alcohol use on a night out in England: Promotions, preloading and consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims In many high-income countries, the responsibility for alcohol regulation is being devolved from central to local governments. Although seeking public input is typically required by law, there remains little empirical evidence on whether and how the public is involved. We investigated public participation in local liquor licensing and related regulation in New Zealand. Design and Methods In 2007, we randomly sampled 2337 residents from the national electoral roll in seven communities and invited them to complete a postal questionnaire assessing their level of general community engagement, whether they had taken action on alcohol issues, and barriers to participation they perceived or encountered. Results A total of 1372 individuals responded (59% response). Fifty-two percent were current members of community organisations, and 40% had ever taken action on a local issue. Respondents considered alcohol to be a major problem locally, but only 4% had been involved in action to address a problem, whereas 18% had considered taking action. In their communities, 12% and 24%, respectively, felt they could influence the number or location of alcohol outlets. There was little variation across communities. Discussion and Conclusion Despite high levels of general community engagement and alcohol being widely regarded as a local problem, few community members reported acting on alcohol issues, and their self-efficacy to effect change was low. [ Kypri K, Maclennan B. Public participation in local alcohol regulation: Findings from a survey of New Zealand communities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:59-63] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Aims. Alcohol is a key component of identity exploration for many young people, yet few studies have investigated identity construction in relation to problematic drinking. Increases in youth alcohol consumption have coincided with expanding use of communications technologies, particularly social networking sites (SNS), which have altered traditional conditions of identity construction. It has been found young people often engage with alcohol in the SNS environment by portraying themselves as binge drinkers. The current study applied an innovative approach to identity construction (the photographic essay) to provide insight into the portrayal of 'alcohol-identity' on Facebook. Design and Methods. One hundred and fifty-eight university students completed a range of alcohol measures before providing access for researchers to view their Facebook profiles to operationalise their alcohol-identity according to autophotographic methodology. Results. Participants utilised a variety of photographic and textual material to present alcohol as a component of their identity on Facebook, with over half having selected an alcohol-related profile image. Alcohol-identity predicted alcohol consumption and problematic alcohol-related behaviours as measured by questionnaires used to reliably identify alcohol-related problems in university students. Almost 60% reported potentially problematic alcohol use according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Discussion and Conclusions. Findings suggest that portraying oneself as a drinker is considered by many young people to be a socially desirable component of identity in the SNS environment, perpetuating an online culture that normalises binge drinking. Ready-made Facebook photo essays provide an alternate method of accessing problematic alcohol use, supplementing self-report measures.[Ridout B, Campbell A, Ellis L. 'Off your Face(book)': Alcohol in online social identity construction and its relation to problem drinking in university students. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:20-26] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Issues. To review the evidence on the health and social effects of drinking kava; a water-based infusion of the roots of the kava plant. Approach. Included all empirical studies of the effects of kava published 1987-2008 reporting health and social outcomes. Evidence appraised on study design (level of evidence) and standard epidemiological criteria for causality. Key Findings. Causality indicated: scaly skin rash, weight loss, raised Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase liver enzyme levels, nausea, loss of appetite or indigestion; Association indicated but causality unclear: red sore eyes, impotence or loss of sexual drive, self-reported poor health, raised cholesterol, and loss of time and money, low motivation and 'slow/lazy' days following use, reduced alcohol consumption and related violence; Association hypothesised : fits or seizures, Melioidosis, Ischaemic Heart Disease, protective effects for cancer; No association indicated : cognitive performance; No association suggested : cognitive impairment, liver toxicity or permanent liver damage, other pneumonia; No association hypothesised : hallucinations. Implications. The health and social implications of chronic kava drinking can be significant for individuals and communities, although most effects of even heavy consumption appear to be reversible when consumption is stopped. Conclusion. An Australia-wide ban on commercial importation of kava has been in place since mid-2007, but there is no published literature to date on the impact of the ban. [Rychetnik L, Madronio CM. The health and social effects of drinking water-based infusions of kava: A review of the evidence. Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30;74-83] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on G. Gmel and J. Rhem's interpretation of the author's theory of collectivity of drinking culture. Two hypotheses of the theory of collectivity of drinking culture; Two-way social interactions between individual and his network at the core of the theory; Collective displacement conceived in Gmel and Rhem's interpretation; Incompatibility of Gmel and Rhem's views with social interaction theory.

A response from the authors of the article regarding the relationship between alcohol availability, alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related harm is presented.

An introduction is presented in which the editors discuss various reports within the issue on topics including the association between alcohol policies and alcohol consumption in the U.S., the social aspect of drinking alcohol, and the negative effect of drinking.