The Alcohol Alert Podcast

This month’s episode of the Alcohol Alert Podcast is a special cross-post from The Alcohol Debate Podcast, hosted by alcohol-freedom coach Tabbin Almond. In this episode, Tabbin is joined by Jem Roberts, Head of External Affairs at the Institute of Alcohol Studies, for a wide-ranging discussion on alcohol policy in the UK and Ireland. From Ireland’s world-first alcohol labelling law and its recent delays, to the UK Government’s 10-Year Health Plan and the omission of minimum unit pricing, Jem explains how political choices – and industry lobbying – shape the nation’s response to alcohol harm. “Pricing policies have a really quick effect on saving lives. So if you want to be coming into the next general election showing tangible results from your policies, they're pretty good policies to introduce." Subscribe to Tabbin’s podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-alcohol-debate/id1751294864], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/76sRVYuhJiUc8r1XwBgrPK?si=479134768b714ee5&nd=1&dlsi=01eb96457bc146a4], or most other podcast platforms. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com [https://instalcstud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

On this month's podcast we spoke to Professor Julia Sinclair and Arlene Copland about Alcohol Care Teams – the small but vital hospital teams supporting patients with complex alcohol problems. They explained how ACTs not only manage alcohol withdrawal, but also build trust with vulnerable patients, advocate across departments, and link people to the wider support they need. Despite clear evidence they improve care and reduce costs, many teams now face closure as funding dries up. We also explored stigma, the misunderstanding of addiction in healthcare, and what’s needed to secure these essential services for the future. As Professor Sinclair puts it: “This is about working with some of the most vulnerable people with the greatest needs.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com [https://instalcstud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why are young people drinking less? 🎵 podcast feature 🎵 On this month’s podcast we spoke to Professor John Holmes, University of Sheffield, and Amy Pennay, La Trobe University, about their new book: Young People, Alcohol, and Risk: A Culture of Caution [https://www.routledge.com/Young-People-Alcohol-and-Risk-A-Culture-of-Caution/Pennay-Caluzzi-Fenton-Holmes-Livingston-Raninen-Torronen/p/book/9781032542836?srsltid=AfmBOooFQNI3oEAVPi-RnNPvGT5pMPzLRyG-ajJ2Q0P4jbsfc5M6up7q]. We discussed the decline in young people's drinking; whether this is continuing into adulthood; factors influencing this decline; and a why this has to be understood as a much broader sociological issue of generational change. “It's about this idea that young people have a very different perspective on the world. This particular generation, that often gets called Gen Z, have a very particular perspective on the world that is quite different to those that have come before them.” – Professor John Holmes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com [https://instalcstud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

In our latest podcast Dr Will Haydock, Executive Director of Collective Voice, sheds light on alcohol treatment services in England. Representing an alliance of charities supporting people with alcohol and other drug issues, Haydock emphasises that free treatment is available in every local area – yet awareness remains low. He discusses barriers like stigma and the misperception that support is costly or inaccessible. Haydock calls for a whole-system approach, integrating alcohol treatment into broader health and social care. “There can be almost more shame around having developed a problem with alcohol than with other drugs.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com [https://instalcstud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

In our latest podcast, Dr Megan Cook of La Trobe University discusses alcohol’s overlooked environmental impact. Dr Cook explores how alcohol production exacerbates climate harms, from water scarcity to packaging waste, and highlights the industry's "greenwashing" through corporate social responsibility campaigns. She argues that: "If we reduce alcohol consumption for health reasons, that’s going to have climate benefits. And if we reduce consumption for climate reasons, that’s going to have health benefits too." We also discussed a recent report from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and Zero Carbon Forum, which looked at the risk of climate change to the UK’s beer production. In a news article publicising the report [https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025/04/11/british-beer-at-risk-from-climate-change], it stated that: “Concern was also raised in the report that crops may be prioritised for food rather than brewing, which would risk livelihoods across the supply chain.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com [https://instalcstud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]