Recovering alcoholic breaks down the three differences between a casual drinker and an addict – UNILAD

Report on Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Their Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report analyzes the critical distinctions between casual alcohol consumption and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), framing the issue within the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Addressing harmful alcohol use is integral to achieving global health, economic, and social targets.

Defining the Spectrum of Alcohol Use in Relation to SDG 3

Understanding the behavioral indicators that differentiate casual drinking from problematic use is the first step in strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, a key component of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (Target 3.5). The primary differences are outlined below:

• Control: A casual drinker maintains control over the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed. An individual with AUD experiences a loss of control and an inability to stop drinking despite a desire to do so.
• Consequences: Casual drinking does not typically lead to negative consequences in one’s personal or professional life. AUD is characterized by continued alcohol use despite recurring social, occupational, or health problems.
• Preoccupation: For a casual drinker, alcohol is not a central focus. For an individual with AUD, a significant amount of time is spent obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of alcohol.
• Physiological Response: An individual with AUD often develops tolerance (needing more alcohol to achieve the same effect) and experiences withdrawal symptoms when consumption ceases.

Socio-Economic Impacts: A Barrier to SDG 8 and SDG 10

The economic fallout from AUD directly impedes progress towards SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. The disorder can dismantle economic stability for individuals and communities.

Key Economic Ramifications:

1. Impaired Productivity: AUD contributes to absenteeism, reduced performance, and workplace accidents, undermining the goal of full and productive employment (Target 8.5).
2. Economic Strain: The financial burden of AUD on healthcare systems and families exacerbates poverty and inequality, working against the objective to empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all (Target 10.2).
3. Barriers to Employment: The stigma and functional impairment associated with AUD can prevent individuals from securing and maintaining decent work, further entrenching economic disparity.

Societal Implications and the Pursuit of SDG 16

Harmful alcohol use is a significant factor in societal instability, undermining SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Its contribution to violence and crime is a direct threat to the development of peaceful and inclusive societies.

Impact on Societal Stability:

• Increased Violence: There is a well-documented link between excessive alcohol consumption and an increase in all forms of violence, including domestic violence and public assaults (Target 16.1).
• Strain on Judicial Systems: Alcohol-related offenses place a heavy burden on law enforcement and judicial institutions, diverting resources that could be used to build more effective and accountable systems.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s focus, as indicated by its title “recovering-alcoholic-difference-between-casual-drinker-addict.png,” is on alcohol addiction and recovery. This directly relates to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The discussion of alcoholism is a critical component of public health, mental health, and overall well-being.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

  The article’s subject matter—distinguishing between casual drinking and addiction and highlighting the experience of a “recovering alcoholic”—directly addresses the core of this target. It implicitly discusses the harmful use of alcohol and the necessity of treatment and recovery programs to combat substance abuse.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders.

  The mention of a “recovering alcoholic” implies that the individual has likely engaged with treatment or rehabilitation services. This points toward the importance of treatment coverage as a measure of progress. The article’s narrative would serve as a qualitative example of the impact of such interventions.

• Indicator 3.5.2: Harmful use of alcohol.

  By exploring the “difference between a casual drinker and an addict,” the article inherently discusses the concept of harmful alcohol use. It provides context for understanding when alcohol consumption becomes a health problem, which is the central theme of this indicator. It helps in identifying the patterns and behaviors associated with harmful consumption that this indicator aims to measure on a larger scale.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: unilad.com