Strategies for challenging times
September 25th 2020
A panel of experts explored how reshaping our relationship with alcohol can help us do better in challenging circumstances, like the ones we all face.
Reducing or eliminating alcohol can help increase our mental resilience as well as our physical resilience, as the WHO has pointed out.
Many of us are responding accordingly, but many are not. This event will help delegates, individuals and professionals, to understand and improve this trend.
Older people are at especially high risk. Psychiatrist Tony Rao highlighted their vulnerability to risky drinking and dementia, calling for a joined-up approach.
But other groupings cannot be ignored. UCL’s Melissa Oldham outlined the evidence on young people and women, who tend to drink less riskily but also have more on the line.
Shaun O’Donohue, a coordinator for the SMART Recovery communities in central Scotland and for the military, then shared insights draw from personal experience and working with people in the throes of resolving alcohol problems.
The virtual floor was then opened up to participants to put their questions and offer their insights. The event followed an interactive, informal, expert-led format pioneered in two previous events. The goal was to share, to welcome new angles and encourage “happy accidents”.
Everyone was welcome to join, ask questions and contribute, whether they are from academic research, professional or interested non-professionals. ■
Resources
Alcohol and mental health for older people (IAS podcast, August 2020)
How can we improve assessment, treatment and recovery for alcohol related dementia? (Drink Wise Age Well, January 2019)
Association of the Covid-19 lockdown with smoking, drinking, and attempts to quit in England (May, 2020)
Factors associated with drinking behaviour during COVID-19 social distancing and lockdown among adults in the UK (September 2020)
Covid social study (ongoing)
Praise for philcain.com events
“I learned a lot and it gave me food for thought as well as making me feel more motivated than I’ve been all week.”—senior lecturer
“What I heard was really interesting and important.”—research associate
“I really enjoyed it.”—non-professional
“It was an extremely interesting discussion. I look forward to the next one!”— Janet Gourand, founder, World Without Wine