Volume of consumption and drinking pattern determine health risk

When reviewing alcohol consumption as a risk factor for ill-health, both the average volume of consumption and the drinking pattern (the amount drunk on one occasion, the frequency of drinking, etc.) need to be considered.

Europeans are the heaviest drinkers

Europeans are the heaviest drinkers in the world. However, there are differences within Europe in the per capita consumption rates and drinking patterns. Roughly speaking a north-south gradient exists, with low-consumption countries in the north and high-consumption countries in the south. In contrast less detrimental drinking patterns are evident in the south of Europe, where daily drinking and drinking with meals is more common and consumption leading to drunkenness is less common. Over the last four decades EU countries, especially the EU-15, have shown converging drinking levels and patterns.

Alcohol consumption related to over 60 medical conditions

Alcohol consumption is related to over 60 medical conditions, as well as a number of additional social harms. In general the negative outcomes of alcohol consumption outweigh the positive, although some conditions related to low-dose drinking are associated with a reduced level of risk. Only men over 35 and women over 65 that consume one or less glasses of alcohol a day profit from the positive effects of alcohol. Europe has the highest rates of alcohol-related harm in the world. Additionally the harm caused by alcohol to young people is relatively high.

Several groups have above-average risk to adverse consequences

There are several groups that have an above-average risk of experiencing health risks related to alcohol consumption, or developing a dependency to alcohol: young people, women, genetically predisposed individuals, smokers, and people with depression and mood disorders. Several environmental factors are also associated with early, high and/or risky alcohol consumption, such as the availability of alcohol and the existing drinking culture. In terms of reasons to drink, young people have mainly social reasons.

Policy interventions aimed at the whole population are most effective

Other than brief interventions directed at heavy and high-risk drinkers, the only policy interventions that have been proven to be effective are those that are directed at the whole population. Interventions can be categorized as policies that:

• reduce drinking and driving;
• support education, communication, training and public awareness;
• regulate the alcohol market;
• support the reduction of harm in drinking and surrounding environments; and
• support interventions for individuals (treatment and early intervention).