Alcohol and Mental Health

KaleidoscoKaleidoscope pe

YorkshireYorkshireAlcohol and

Mental Health

Why do we drink?Why do we drink?

Why?Why?

• Relax 80%• Happy 65%

• Less inhibited 50%• Fit in 45%

• Confident 42%• Less anxious 40%

• Celebrate 38%• Make friends 34%

• Forget problems 30%• Less depressed 27%

Quiz!Quiz!

FactorsFactors

• Pre existing mood

• Personality

• Beliefs, expectations and circumstances

• Patterns of consumption

Alcohol ‘more harmful than Alcohol ‘more harmful than heroin or crack’heroin or crack’

David Nutt (2010)David Nutt (2010)

Alcohol, well being and Alcohol, well being and mental healthmental health

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Psychosis

• Physical health

• Sexual dysfunction

• Is there a genetic link?

Alcohol / Mental Health CycleAlcohol / Mental Health Cycle

Alcohol

Mental HealthProblems

Stress

• Korsakoffs

Dementia Risk??Dementia Risk??

Alcohol and the brainAlcohol and the brain

Cerebral Cortex

Limbic System

Cerebellum

Do you know your units?Do you know your units?

• Standard pint of beer

• Pint of reasonably strong cider

• Small whisky

• Fairly large glass of wine

Help and SupportHelp and Support

• What exists locally?