Rethinking Alcohol Policies: New Study Highlights Discrepancies in How Alcohol Is Discussed by Policymakers and the Public

A recent study emphasizes the need to reassess current alcohol policies by shedding light on the differing narratives surrounding alcohol use among policymakers and drinkers. Conducted by a collaborative team of psychologists, linguists, and policy experts from Staffordshire University, the University of Liverpool, Oxford Brookes University, and London South Bank University, the research analyzed the language surrounding alcohol consumption in England's recent policy documents versus everyday discussions among young adults.

The study, titled "The language of alcohol: Similarities and differences in how drinkers and policymakers frame alcohol consumption," published in Drug and Alcohol Review, utilized linguistics software to compare policy language with colloquial conversations about drinking. Dr. Emma Moreton of the University of Liverpool explained that understanding the language used in various contexts helps reveal underlying attitudes, beliefs, and assumptions about alcohol harm and behavior.

Findings indicate that while both policymakers and drinkers often refer to health risks and intoxication, their framing differs significantly. Policy documents tend to portray alcohol use as a behavioral issue needing correction, often emphasizing negative impacts. In contrast, drinkers discuss alcohol's dual role—highlighting both positive and negative effects—often framing it as an emotional experience.

Professor Richard Cooke from Staffordshire University notes that policymakers focus on drinking behaviors, whereas drinkers express feelings of happiness, embarrassment, guilt, or sadness related to drinking. He advocates for policies that acknowledge these emotional dimensions, considering that individuals often drink for socializing, relaxation, or emotional coping. Restrictive policies that solely emphasize abstinence or moderation may fail to resonate if they overlook the emotional and social realities of drinkers.

The study also highlights a shift in focus from young to older adults, whose drinking habits are more strongly linked to long-term health issues such as cancer and heart disease. Notably, alcohol contributes to approximately 17,000 cancer diagnoses annually, prompting calls for a comprehensive National Alcohol Strategy. The latest strategy from 2012 is considered outdated, and researchers are urging the government to develop a new, inclusive policy involving drinkers in the policymaking process.

They emphasize that effective policies should reflect real-life motivations and behaviors, advocating for dialogue rather than merely issuing directives. Professor Cooke concludes that involving drinkers in discussions could lead to more meaningful interventions and better health outcomes, especially as most in England already drink within the guidelines.

This research underscores the importance of understanding the language and emotional context of alcohol use to design more effective, relatable policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm.

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Source: Medical Xpress