The Alcohol Alert Podcast

Institute of Alcohol Studies

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A monthly podcast exploring alcohol harm, policy, research, and industry influence — in the UK and around the world. From minimum unit pricing to corporate lobbying, we speak to the people behind the headlines to uncover what’s really going on. instalcstud.substack.com

JAN 30

Plans to reduce drink-drive limit in England and Wales

On this month’s podcast, we spoke to Luca Straker, Campaigns Manager at the road safety charity Brake. Luca welcomed the strategy, but highlighted that there needs to be more support for victims and families of those killed or injured in road collisions. 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

38 min
11/27/2025

Government licensing reform sparks concerns over public health and local accountability

In our latest podcast we spoke to Professor Niamh Fitzgerald and Dr James Nicholls of the University of Stirling about the UK government’s recent alcohol licensing Taskforce and its proposed reforms. We discussed the implications of the proposals for public health, local accountability, and the hospitality industry, and explored why economic growth arguments are being prioritised over health considerations. On the episode Dr Nicholls explained that: “This is a pretty unique example of quite fundamental changes being made to the system on the basis of an incredibly short report that was produced in six weeks by a very, very small group of people, most of which was dominated by the alcohol industry themselves.” They highlighted that the six-week Taskforce, dominated by industry representatives, proposed measures including a national licensing policy framework, an “amnesty” on licensing conditions, and enhanced powers for licensing officers. These changes could undermine democratic oversight, weaken local control, and shift the licensing system’s focus from public safety to promoting economic growth. 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

45 min
10/30/2025

Alcohol harm: A hidden productivity crisis in the UK workforce

On this month’s podcast we spoke to Dr Jamie O’Halloran, senior research fellow at the influential progressive think tank IPPR, the Institute for Public Policy Research. We discussed their new report Taking Stock: Counting the economic costs of alcohol harm, which looks at the impact of alcohol harm on people’s productivity at work. We also spoke about why the public health economic arguments can be harder to make than the industry arguments, and what employers and the government can do to reduce alcohol harm and improve productivity. On the episode Dr O’Halloran explained that: What we’re trying to show in this paper is that alcohol-related productivity losses are holding us back. It’s going to lead to lower growth, lower output, and then reduced profit, reduced taxable profits for government. It should be in everyone’s interest to target alcohol harm, not just for health, but then also for the economic benefits too. 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

19 min
10/03/2025

Developing a roadmap for tackling alcohol harm in the UK

On this month’s podcast we spoke to Dr Katherine Severi, IAS’s Chief Executive, and Karen Biggs, Chief Executive of treatment provider Phoenix Futures, about IAS’s forthcoming report: A healthier future: A long-term vision to tackle alcohol harm in the UK, due to be published in October. We discussed why a long-term strategy is urgently needed, the ambitious targets set out in the report, and how prevention and treatment must go hand in hand. The conversation explored both the opportunities and barriers ahead – from minimum unit pricing and stronger marketing restrictions, to the postcode lottery in treatment and the influence of the alcohol industry. As Dr Katherine Severi puts it: “There’s no magic pill or silver bullet. That’s why our report sets out a broad range of policies and clear targets – not only to build capacity in treatment and support services, but also to ‘turn down the tap’ and prevent the next generation from experiencing alcohol harm.” 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

29 min
08/28/2025

The missing policies in the UK’s 10-Year Health Plan

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, Spotify, 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

37 min
07/30/2025

What are Alcohol Care Teams - and why are they vital for hospitals?

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

40 min
06/27/2025

Alcohol Alert June 2025

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. 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

50 min
05/30/2025

Alcohol Alert - May 2025

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

48 min

A monthly podcast exploring alcohol harm, policy, research, and industry influence — in the UK and around the world. From minimum unit pricing to corporate lobbying, we speak to the people behind the headlines to uncover what’s really going on. instalcstud.substack.com

Creator

Institute of Alcohol Studies
Years Active

2017 - 2026
Episodes

115
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Institute of Alcohol Studies
Show Website

The Alcohol Alert Podcast