WHO ARE WE HURTING WITH OUR DRINKING/
Two
million adults inBritain
drink alcohol every day, with the highest earners drinking the most.
The findings come from a study by charity 4Children, which warns
of a ‘silent epidemic’ of alcohol abuse amongst the British middle classes.
The report, titled ‘Over the Limit: The Truth about Families and
Alcohol’, claims that parents could be endangering their children with their
unhealthy drinking habits.
4Children’s chief executive Anne Longfield said: “Drinking can
seriously dent people’s judgement and the way they engage with their children.
Even simple factors such as the increased likelihood for accidents is something
that parents need to be aware of.”
4Children’s chief executive Anne Longfield said: “Drinking can
seriously dent people’s judgement and the way they engage with their children.
Even simple factors such as the increased likelihood for accidents is something
that parents need to be aware of.”
However – most parents seem to disagree with the charity’s
warning. Of the 575 British parents questioned for the report, two-thirds (62%)
said that their drinking behaviour had no impact on their family life. In fact,
one in five (19%) believed their alcohol consumption had a positive effect on
their ability as a parent.
The report also found that the wealthiest parents were almost
four times more likely to drink every day than the poorest. Wealthy people,
although heavier drinkers, are more likely than poorer people to escape the
stigma that exists around alcohol abuse.
Many households increased their alcohol consumption with the
arrival of children, with one in six drinking more after the birth of a baby.
The report acknowledges that although these parents are unlikely
to cause social harm with their drinking habits (street violence, vandalism,
drugs etc.), the impact of their behaviour on their children could be
‘profound’.
It states that the unpredictable behaviour of an intoxicated
parent could significantly impair a child’s development – especially when daily
routines are interrupted.
Ms Longfield has called for a ‘rethink onBritain’s
relationship with alcohol’
A special test has been developed to catch liver disease,
known as ‘the silent killer’, before it becomes too severe to treat.
According to Dr Nick Sheron, liver expert at theUniversityofSouthampton, immediate action needs to
be taken to make people more aware of the dangers of drinking too much alcohol.
Over the past 30 years, the rate of alcohol-related death has
increased by 500% in this country. Dr Sheron says: “Liver disease develops
silently. There are no signs or symptoms – the liver has no pain fibres, until
disease is very far advanced.”
One quarter of theUKpopulation drinks too much
without fully understanding the dangers. By the time a patient realises they
have a problem with their liver, it is usually too late to undo the damage