Trend Less youthful comas

Positive trend: less youthful comas

05/01/2015

The new year begins with the news of a positive trend: the so-called coma drinking nationwide is now apparently less popular among adolescents and children than in the past. But the binge drinking remains a problem.

Excessive alcohol consumption in adolescents declined
In recent years, the so-called binge drinking caused great excitement. The concern for the girls and boys, who get drunk during their puberty to alcohol poisoning, was and is great. However, previously unpublished figures from the statistical offices of the various federal states show that the excessive consumption of alcohol among young people is declining. However, this does not apply to all regions of the Republic. The nationwide prevention campaign „colorful instead of blue“ will continue this year.

Fewer adolescents with alcohol poisoning in the hospital
How different the development can be, is shown by two examples. For example, it is reported from the Bavarian city of Regensburg that in 2013 a total of 145 children and adolescents from the city or district ended up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. According to the DAK health, the number dropped by 13.2 percent compared to 2012. However, over the past twelve years there has still been an increase of 154.4 percent. „It is pleasing that a nationwide brewing drunkenness is beginning to show a trend reversal. I hope that this positive development will be confirmed in the long term“, said Konrad Dörrmann, Head of DAK Health in Regensburg, in a statement.

Nationwide trend reversal
From another part of Bavaria is reported on a negative trend. In the district of Main-Spessart in 2013, more juvenile drunkards ended up in a clinic than in the previous year. According to recent information from DAK Health, 41 children and adolescents with alcohol poisoning were hospitalized. Compared to 2012, the number increased by 2.5 percent. In the past twelve years there has been an increase of 173 percent. Ralf Kreile Chief of DAK Health in Lohr wishes a turnaround, as can be observed nationwide: „I hope that we will achieve this positive development in our long term“.

„colorful instead of blue“
Basically, it remains to be hoped that the trend will continue for a long time and alcohol abuse will generally be reduced. Especially against the background that high alcohol consumption favors or causes numerous diseases such as fatty liver or gastritis and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack. Part of this may be the nationwide awareness campaign „colorful instead of blue“, which will continue in 2015. Both counties support the campaign, which has been running for years. The nationwide competition invites students between the ages of 12 and 17 to use posters to develop creative messages against binge drinking. Since 2010, more than 62,000 young artists have participated in the campaign. (Ad)