The provision of nonalcoholic beverages is an effective method for reducing alcohol consumption. In a study published in BMC Medicine, researchers at University of Tsukuba have investigated differences in the effectiveness of alcohol reduction depending on the level of problem drinking as assessed by the alcohol use disorders identification test.
The findings indicated that the more serious the drinking problem, the less effective the provision of nonalcoholic beverages was in reducing alcohol consumption.
Dealing with excessive alcohol consumption is a global challenge and is included in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One measure to reduce excessive alcohol consumption is the use of nonalcoholic beverages.
The research team has found that providing nonalcoholic beverages to people aged ≥20 years, excluding alcoholics and others, significantly reduces the amount of alcohol consumed. However, providing nonalcoholic beverages to people with significant drinking problems may increase their desire to drink, which may increase their alcohol consumption.
Therefore, this study focused on the effect of providing nonalcoholic beverages on the amount of alcohol consumed, as determined by the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), on the magnitude of problem drinking.
A total of 123 adults aged 20 years, excluding patients with alcohol dependence, were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group, and the intervention group was offered nonalcoholic beverages for 12 weeks. The intervention group had a greater reduction in alcohol consumption than the control group in groups with AUDIT scores of ≤7, 8–11, 12–14, and ≥15. However, the intervention did not reduce alcohol consumption in groups with scores of ≥15.
In addition, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in average alcohol consumption in the 12–14 and ≥15 groups than in the ≤7 group. Neither group showed an increase in alcohol consumption after the provision of nonalcoholic beverages.
These findings indicate that the provision of nonalcoholic beverages has significant effects on reducing alcohol consumption in mild drinking problem cases. However, in severe cases, a combination of other effective approaches, such as counseling by medical professionals and the provision of nonalcoholic beverages, is necessary.
More information:
Shohei Dobashi et al, The effectiveness of reduction in alcohol consumption achieved by the provision of non-alcoholic beverages associates with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, BMC Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03641-3
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Study finds nonalcoholic drinks reduce alcohol consumption in mild cases (2024, October 10)
retrieved 10 October 2024
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