Banish the booze for Dry January!

With only days until the start of Dry January, Medical Specialistsׅ® Pharmacy are urging as many of the nation’s drinkers as possible to take part in the annual month-long awareness event.

By giving up alcohol for 4 weeks during the first month of the year, drinkers will hopefully be able to change their habits for the long-term, similar to the premise of October’s Stoptober smoking campaign, where some participants manage to quit smoking altogether after the month of abstinence.

For Dry January 2015, more than 2 million people managed to reduce their alcohol intake for the month, and it is expected that 2016 will be bigger, better, with more people getting on board, so join in and reap the rewards of giving up booze for the 31 days of January.

There are simply countless benefits from either cutting back on alcohol or stopping entirely, from weight loss to a better night’s sleep and more energy in general, to more cash to spend on other things – there is nothing to lose by taking part in Dry January 2016! The sense of achievement to be had from completing the month will be huge, and the chances will be much greater of drinking less alcohol in the future even after Dry January is over.

But don’t take it from us, NHS Choices have published the experiences of a woman named Joanna, who previously was drinking glasses of wine every night, but managed to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January.

She says: “…After two weeks the cold turkey wore off, and the first benefits kicked in. I was in bed snoring shamelessly before 10 and was awake before the alarm at 6.15am. My skin was looking better. I had more energy, and was proud of myself for sticking at it.

“Although weight loss wasn’t a decisive factor for me, I lost 5lbs (2.3kg) in the first month and I have now lost nearly 10lbs and banished three inches (7.5cm) of muffin top from my waistline. Like many other people on Dry January’s page, my problem was the inexplicable desire to replace my evening dose of wine with snacks in front of the TV.

“Yet in the long run, less wine meant less nibbles. I realised how alcohol opened up my appetite and made me reach for those salty nibbles…”

Joanna’s weight loss is perhaps unsurprising, considering the often under-estimated calories contained in some of the most popular alcoholic beverages:

Pint of 4% beer: Equates to about 182 calories and 2.3 units of alcohol, rising depending on alcohol strength.

Small glass of 13% wine: A 175ml glass equals 159 calories and 2.3 units, varying depending on the strength of the wine (this can be anything from 11% to 16%).

Bottle of beer: A 330ml bottle contains about 159 calories and 2.3 units.

Pint of 4.5% cider: 216 calories and 2.6 units of alcohol.

A single 40% spirit: A Standard English 25ml measure has 61 calories and 1 unit. However, in Northern Ireland, a single measure comes in at 35ml and in 1.4 units.

At Medical Specialists® we understand how difficult it can be to giving up alcohol, but hopefully after a heavy festive period of over-indulgence of both food and alcohol, it should make it that little bit easier to participate in Dry January.

For example, the Friday before Christmas – often dubbed ‘booze Black Friday’ or ‘Mad Friday’ is one of the busiest, hectic drinking nights of the year as Emergency Services prepare for a chaotic night. Last year saw alcohol takings surge in pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels across the country by a whopping 142%, and that’s not taking into account sales from shops and supermarkets.

Then there is Christmas Eve, Christmas Day itself, Boxing Day…and finally, New Year’s Eve! By the first day of January, some people are truly feeling the effects of the alcohol excess over the festive period and wanting to take a break for January.

For those deciding to take the plunge, here are some top tips for giving up the booze:

Avoid temptation


Initially, it is wise to avoid situations where alcohol is involved. Perhaps opt out of the weekly quiz at the pub, or persuade friends to meet up for a trip to the cinema or bowling during January instead of the usual drink at the pub.

Clear the house

Not of everything in it! Just the booze. Hide away those bottles of beer or the filled-up wine rack. By removing the temptation this will help stick to not drinking. Nobody during Dry January wants to come home from a stressful day at work and see alcohol staring back of them. Out of sight, out of mind!

Encourage a friend

Being the only one in a social circle that isn’t drinking for the first month of the year can seem daunting. Considering asking a friend if they want to take on the challenge too will make it easier to complete, don’t forget to remind them of the wonderful benefits of not drinking!

Make others aware

If someone is taking part in Dry January, they should tell friends and family about it, with the reasons for getting involved. This way, that person can share successes with the friends and family, and they will understand why that person is rejecting drinks or trips to the pub. This may even encourage someone else to give up or cut down too.

Treat yourself

It’s amazing how much healthier a bank balance and wallet can look when there is no alcohol to be bought. A typical pint of beer can cost upwards of £4…just 5 pints in an evening can set someone back around £20! That money could be put to better use, whether it’s saving up for a holiday or an expensive pair of shoes, the extra cash will help loads!

Medical Specialists® Pharmacy are fully behind the Dry January campaign, already seeing an increase in enquiries about alcohol dependency treatment Selincro during the last few weeks, as thousands of people around the country prepare for an alcohol-free month.

So why not sign up today for Dry January, receiving useful and fun hints and tips throughout the month to help completion right through to the end of the month.

European alcohol, smoking and obesity rates are ‘alarming’ says WHO

The United States is often branded the fattest country in the world (technically true depending on which statistics are used), however Europe is doing its best to take over this unwanted mantle from America, with “alarming” rates of drinking, eating and smoking found throughout Europe in a new report conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the United States, a staggering 78 million people, or 33% of the adult population, are classified as obese, whilst 74.1% of the people aged 15 and over are either overweight or obese (i.e. with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above).

However, health officials have now stressed that Europe has the world’s highest rates of drinking and smoking, with more than half of people now fat, which could ultimately lead to a whole number of serious health problems such as asthma, cancer, heart disease, osteoarthritis and stroke.

In what is the first study of its kind for three years, the European Health Report 2015 looked at 39 countries including European Union member states, in addition to former Soviet republics, to see if the WHO’s ‘Health 2020’ targets are being met.

It was discovered that the average life expectancy for men and women can drastically vary, ranging from 71 years of age in Belarus, Moldova and Russia, to 82 in France, Italy and Spain, according to figures from 2011. Overall, life expectancy for Europeans has risen from an average of 73.2 years back in 1990, to 76.8 years by 2011.

“There is a very real risk that these gains will be lost if smoking and alcohol consumption continue at the current rate. This is especially relevant to young people, who may not live as long as their grandparents”, said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO’s regional director, speaking to the Guardian.

WHO noted that many European countries seemed to have lower risk factors for premature death, the rates of obesity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption “remain alarmingly high”. The United Nations health agency calculated that in the previous four years, a growing number of Europeans are now classed as either overweight or obese, with 58.6% of Europeans overweight, and 23% suffering from obesity.

The report states that obesity is “one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century”, which “drastically increases a person’s risk of developing several [diseases], including cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes mellitus”.

There is also a great deal of concern about Europe’s drinking and smoking habits. Although between 2005 and 2010, total alcohol consumption lowered by 10% in Europe, the continent still has the highest drinking rates across the globe.

Europe has the world’s highest prevalence of alcohol dependence (4%) according to the report, as well as the highest prevalence of alcohol-use disorders (7%). It is estimated that an average of 11 litres of pure alcohol are consumed per person every year, whilst around 30% of Europe uses tobacco.
“Europeans live long lives and healthy lives. We are the longest living region in the world,” said Claudia Stein, a senior WHO director for Europe.

She continued: “The differences in health status between European countries are inexplicably wide.
“If rates of smoking and alcohol consumption and obesity do not decline we may risk the gains in life expectancy we have seen — which may mean that the next generation may lead shorter lives than that we do.”

Stein warned that this could have the most serious impact on younger people, since their lives may be shortened unless action is taken to bring down consumption levels of tobacco, alcohol and calories.

Experts warn Drunkorexia epidemic is on the rise

The colloquial term ‘drunkorexia’ is probably unfamiliar with some people as it is not technically a medical diagnostic term, but it is one that may become better known in time as the problem threatens to escalate.

Although the term is relatively new, this increasingly serious condition is not. It seems more of us are inflicting a self-imposed torturous starvation and/ or are putting ourselves through overly excessive exercising, with experts warning a higher number of people are now skipping meals, depriving themselves of food in order to ‘save’ the calories for an episode of binge drinking later in the day.

It is believed that more and more women in particularly are drastically reducing their food intake so they can drink more wine. Dieticians coined the term ‘drunkorexia’ due to the fact they believe that their work with clients demonstrates an association between binge drinking and eating disorders.
Psychologists claim it is the labels on the drinks that list the alcohol’s high number of calories is partly to blame for encouraging those with eating disorders to ditch food for drink. The disorder therefore means those who ‘save’ on food calories are drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, something ill-advised as it massively amplifies the effects of alcohol.

Adrienne Key, consultant psychiatrist at the Priory Hospital, says that although the advertising of alcoholic calorie content is in the interest of most people, it can have dire consequences for those suffering with an eating disorder.

Speaking on Monday, she said: “Displaying calorie content on alcoholic drinks has been counterproductive for a small but significant proportion of society. When I started in the profession 20 years ago you would hardly hear of calorie swapping like this. But now we come about it fairly regularly. People who have not eaten will say, “I’m saving myself for a glass of wine. People are more likely now to use this as a method to control dietary intake in a disordered way.”

Despite the fact that alcohol itself doesn’t contain any fat in it, it is loaded with ‘empty’ calories with no nutritional value to the human body. Add mixers like Coca-Cola into the equation and it is easy to see how the calories start accumulating, and fast.

Whilst it is responsible to be conscious about the amount of alcohol calories going into your body – and possibly using an alcohol unit calculator to do this – it is not responsible to miss out on healthy, nutritional meals, not providing your body with energy, vitamins and minerals it so sorely requires.
Charity workers say the issue of ‘drunkorexia’ could also be afflicting men, despite the fact that it is women who are more likely to speak about the problem.

Susan Ringwood, from eating disorders charity Beat said that ‘drunkorexia’ is also likely to affect those that have not been previously diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Speaking to The Times, she commented: “We do see these cases, particularly when people are binge drinking at the weekend. It is not necessarily an eating disorder, but it is a disordered approach towards eating and people can easily find themselves trapped by it. If you are trying to live off one or two hundred calories a day, people find it easier to consume small amount of alcohol and briefly feel better than eat food.”

Medical Specialists® Pharmacy are now able to actually help those with alcohol addiction through the alcohol dependency treatment Selincro (nalmefene). This medication is suited for people who are heavy drinkers, but don’t require immediate detoxification, and whom have a high level of alcohol consumption 2 weeks after the first consultation with the doctor. This is defined as more than 60g of alcohol per day for men or more than 40g of alcohol per day for women. The great news for those who are prescribed it is that there is no risk of becoming dependent on Selincro.

Selincro’s active ingredient nalmefene works by latching onto certain opioid receptors in the brain that are responsible for addictive behaviour, altering their activity, thereby decreasing the urge to continue drinking.

England’s drinking problem causing more liver disease deaths

The country’s increasingly problematic drinking culture has been attributed to a shocking rise in the number of deaths from liver disease, health experts have warned.

The first regional study into liver disease showed a staggering 40% increase in the number of deaths from the preventable disease – and men are twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with it.

Professor Julia Verne, who led the new research for Public Health England (PHE) blames 24-hour drinking and more alcohol consumption for the “rapid and shocking” rise in death rates from liver disease.

The study demonstrated a huge north-south divide, with more than four times as many male adults dying from liver disease in Blackpool (58.4 per 100,000) than in central Bedfordshire (just 13 per 100,000).

The north generally seems to have more of a drinking issue compared to their southern counterparts. In Northumberland, Lancashire and Leeds, liver disease from alcohol consumption is responsible for 11 deaths in every 100,000 people under the age of 75, whilst in Hampshire and Surrey, the figure stands at just six in every 100,000.

Death from liver disease is now understandably being described as a growing epidemic, being the fifth “big killer” across England and Wales, after heart disease, cancer, strokes and respiratory disease.

During 2001 to 2012, the number of people dying from liver disease in England has risen from 7,841 to 10,948 – an increase of 40%.

The majority of liver disease cases are directly related to three main risk factors: alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis, whilst 5% of cases are due to autoimmune disorders – i.e. where there is abnormal functioning of the immune system.

“Liver disease is a public health priority because young lives are being needlessly lost,” commented Prof Verne. “All the preventable causes are on the rise, but alcohol accounts for 37% of liver disease deaths. We must do more to raise awareness, nationally and locally, and this is why it is so important for the public and health professionals to understand their local picture.”

Emily Robinson, deputy chief executive of Alcohol Concern said: “It’s a tragedy that we’re actually seeing cases of young people in their 20s dying of alcoholic liver disease, when this can be prevented. The so called ‘alcopops generation’ have grown up in a society where alcohol is available at almost anytime, anywhere, at incredibly cheap prices and promoted non-stop.

“The government needs to make tackling the rise in liver disease an urgent priority and action must include introducing a minimum unit pricing for alcohol, a policy that promises to save hundreds of lives and reduce thousands of hospital admissions each year.”

If you believe you have an alcohol dependency problem and are drinking too much, Medical Specialists® Pharmacy can help before it is too late.

Medical Specialists® can provide alcohol dependency treatment Selincro for suitable patients – those who are heavy drinkers, but don’t require immediate detoxification, and whom have a high level of alcohol consumption 2 weeks after the first consultation with their doctor. This is defined as more than 60g of alcohol per day for men or more than 40g of alcohol per day for women. The great news for those who are prescribed it is that there is no risk of becoming dependent on Selincro.

Medical Specialists® Pharmacy now provide alcohol dependency treatment Selincro

Medical Specialists® Pharmacy are now able to actually help those with alcohol addiction through the treatment Selincro (nalmefene). This medication is suited for people who are heavy drinkers, but don’t require immediate detoxification, and whom have a high level of alcohol consumption 2 weeks after the first consultation with their doctor. This is defined as more than 60g of alcohol per day for men or more than 40g of alcohol per day for women. The great news for those who are prescribed it is that there is no risk of becoming dependent on Selincro.

Selincro’s active ingredient nalmefene works by latching onto certain opioid receptors in the brain that are responsible for addictive behaviour, altering their activity, thereby decreasing the urge to continue drinking.

According to a 2007 ‘state of the nation’ survey carried out by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, there are an estimated 1.6 million people in England alone that are dependent on alcohol, and it is a casual factor in over 60 medical conditions, such as cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, liver and breast, high blood pressure, depression and cirrhosis of the liver.

The abuse of alcohol is said to cost the country a shocking £21 billion annually through the treatment of alcohol-related disease, the resulting crime that follows a bingeing episode of drinking, and loss of work productivity (about 8 to 14 million working days are lost each year in the UK because of alcohol).

The first two impacts of alcohol abuse are probably quite obvious to some, but the impact on alcohol to the workplace can often be dramatically underestimated – and it is a serious problem that many employers are having to tackle as alcohol dependency does not discriminate according to occupation.
Firstly, let’s look at the repercussions of alcohol in the workplace. Through either sustained alcohol dependency, or from isolated occurrences of heavy drinking, the main issues relating to the workplace are: Loss of production, absenteeism and extra sick leave, injuries and accident rates, and the risk of premature death or fatal accidents.

Alcohol can and will impair an employee’s decision making at work, slowing down reaction times, potentially inducing sleepiness and drowsiness, increase the risk of errors occurring and lead to the employee delivering goods or services to a substandard quality. It may even cause friction and anger amongst those employees that have to carry the burden of compensating for those whose work output is declining due to drinking.

It is usually primarily the after-effects of drinking – being hungover – that impacts the ability to perform a job correctly, or even turning up to work at all. In fact, a 2006 survey conducted by YouGov for PruHealth discovered that there are an estimated 200,000 workers in Britain coming into work hungover from the previous night’s drinking.

Some alarming finds were made in the survey: 22% admit they have made errors at work as a consequence of their hangover, 83% admit their hangovers change the way they perform their role, a third even admit to ‘drifting off’, whilst 28% say they have to work with headaches because of their hangover.

It is generally believed that the common working factors linked to increased alcohol consumption include feeling stressed at work, periods of inactivity or feeling bored, low job satisfaction, shift or night work, working remotely, having to travel long distances, and frequenting business meals where there is a likelihood to be alcohol available. A recent article published on the Daily Mail also describes that the increase of women into working lives could be linked to a rise in drinking levels.
Employers should be able to spot if an employee has a drinking problem through a number of common traits.

Signs for employers to be aware of

. The employee’s job performance declines.
. Frequent absenteeism due to sickness.
. Frequent lateness to work or late to arrive at meetings.
. Frequent toilet visits.
. Attempts to mask the smell of alcohol with chewing gum, mints, breath sprays, or applying lots of aftershave/perfume and deodorant.
. The employee is absent from their desk for large periods of time.
. Suspect stories emanating from colleagues trying to cover for each other.

What can employers do?

First and foremost, employers should remember they have a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees whilst at work. Employers can be prosecuted for knowingly allowing an employee to work that is under the influence of excess alcohol.

A clear substance use (i.e. alcohol and drug) policy should be in place for all employees and employers should quiz their staff on what they know about the impact that alcohol has on health and safety, and their thoughts about drinking during working hours. All supervisors and managers should be trained to spot the signs of both alcohol and drug use and be aware of what actions to take if an employee confides about a problem or they suspect an employee might have a problem.

If the employee was a vital and valued member of the team before their alcohol dependency issues began, the employer might be wise to consider offering help and support where possible. After all, that employee will be incredibly grateful for this and probably show a greater sense of loyalty and commitment to the organisation, a huge benefit to the employer of course.

What can employees do?

Employees with alcohol dependency problems should have easy access to occupational health services, but under no circumstances should employees go into work whilst still under the influence of alcohol (or drugs for that matter).

Any employee with alcohol dependency issues should be open and honest with their employer to discuss what can be done to help the situation, and feel comfortable in speaking about it to their GP, or even any local pharmacy if that is preferred.

Unfortunately, alcohol dependency is a disease that affects all aspects of life, not just in workplace. It has a major impact on life at home too, being incredibly stressful for friends and family of the person drinking. It is a disease than can be beat however, with help and support usually available from employers to their employees – if there is complete honesty from the employee of course, and obviously support coming from loved ones of that person.