According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol use is a significant factor in the development of ill health and is responsible for seven percent of all premature deaths globally. Because these statistics are so concerning, experts are now recommending that a target be set to reduce the use of harmful amounts of alcohol by 10 percent by the year 2025.
A new research uncovered two easy procedures that, when combined, may go a long way toward assisting drinkers in achieving a considerable decrease in the amount of alcohol they consume. The study places an emphasis on a mix of why to decrease and how to reduce messages that, if carried out correctly, would lead to quantifiable benefits in the health of a whole community. Here are the most important stages.
1. Bring attention to the fact that drinking is related with an increased risk of cancer
Do you really need a justification to cut down on your drinking? Many people believe that the answer is yes. Numerous research on the topic of social persuasion have shown that it is not enough to only warn individuals that unhealthy habits are harmful for them in order to motivate them to change their ways. The inclusion of particular evidence that is supported by data and that illustrates cause-and-effect linkages is of utmost importance. The argument that “drinking causes cancer” is more appealing since it is presented as the result of scientifically credible medical findings than the argument that “drinking is bad for you” is because the latter is more general. It appears to frighten you just enough to arouse your anxiety, and the reason for this is because it conveys science that is difficult to ignore.
The most significant barrier is not the message itself, since it is founded on reliable scientific evidence and is simple enough for both specialists and laypeople to comprehend, but rather the method by which the information is disseminated. Therein lies one of the limitations of these community health awareness programs at times. There are a lot of brilliant suggestions flying about in the globe, but unfortunately, not all of them reach the ears of everyone. There are a variety of channels via which information may be given to consumers about health and alcohol use. Some of these channels include product labeling, educational curricula, and social marketing efforts. It would seem that the researchers have a fantastic concept; all that remains now is for them to spread the word.
2. Keep track of each and every drink
One of the reasons someone would desire to cut down on their alcohol use is the fear of developing cancer; however, this is just part of the picture. The second line of defense is on “how” to cut down on alcohol use. According to the findings of the study, a strong approach for learning how to do anything is just counting your drinks in an honest and regular manner.
Over the course of a period of two months, researchers examining the psychological aspects of addiction used online questionnaires to collect data from thousands of participants. The participants saw a television commercial that included a message about “why to decrease” that was coupled with many other messages on “how to reduce.”
The group of participants who viewed the advertisement on television and kept track of how many beverages they consumed had the greatest overall combination. Throughout the duration of the research, these participants showed a discernible drop in their overall alcohol consumption. They were the most likely to state that they wanted to modify their behaviors, and they were also the most likely to really find success with their attempts to change their behavior. It would seem that they were willing to attempt, and that willingness paid off.
According to the findings of the study, encouraging drinkers to keep track of how much alcohol they consume may help cut down on the negative long-term impacts of drinking. People who drink excessively may be encouraged to cut down on their drinking by combining the practice of explicit drink counting with commercials that instill fear via the threat of cancer.
