The
recession of 2008-2009 has a long reach when it comes to
alcohol use disorders, aka alcohol abuse and the disease of
alcoholism. New research in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental
Research indicates some Americans
still struggle to make ends meet and those who turned to alcohol
because
of it are
suffering from alcohol use
disorders
today.
The
study examines the relationship
between economic loss and alcohol problems, finding that men and
middle-aged Americans are at higher risk for “multiple, adverse
alcohol outcomes.” The research
team
notes
that despite
higher taxation in many states, the
price of alcohol has gone down in recent years and this may make
it
easier for economically
challenged people
stressed out by the recession to buy alcohol. “It’s
understandable when a person is in such a terrible place, fearing for
his economic future, and feeling responsible for his family,” the
researchers
conclude.
“Research
suggests that economic downturns can have severe impacts on stress
and mental health,” said
Nina Mulia, of the Alcohol Research Group of the Public Health
Institute. “A 2009 study of 26 European
Union (EU)
countries
found a
rise
in unemployment led to significantly higher suicide rates among
people under age 65. Additionally, a 2011 longitudinal study using
U.S. data showed that increased unemployment was linked to declining
psychological health. Furthermore, a recent review of many
individual-level studies concluded that job loss is associated with a
greater risk for depression and anxiety symptoms.”
Drinking
– for alcoholics and non-alcoholics alike – is a common response
to stress, depression and anxiety. Ironically,
a separate 2013 study found self-medicating depression with alcohol,
a depressant, causes more depression. "I
don't know that the average person realizes that heavy drinking can
induce mood problems," said lead researcher Marc A.
Schuckit, M.D., of the University of California, San Diego School of
Medicine. A
third of depression episodes are tied to alcohol consumption. (See
“Journal: Alcohol causes depression rather than curing it”)
“This
new
study
brings us a long way towards confirming how much economic shocks
impact peoples’ health,”
adds Laura Schmidt, of the University of California, San Francisco,
School of Medicine. “It emphasizes
the role of economic stress – what it’s like to lose a job, a
house, a retirement ‘nest egg’—and
how much that impacts a person’s state of mind and leads to
problems with drinking.”
(from examiner.com, see full article)
Details on the third literary award for Every Silver Lining Has a Cloud, plus the new radio interview replay is available at alcohologist.com... and please read the new interview with Scott Stevens at Christoph Fisher Books. Mr. Fisher is an acclaimed international historical fiction novelist from the UK
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