Alcohol consumption is very widespread among young people, in particular the 2023 report of the National Alcohol Observatory (Ona) shows that in 2021 within the age group between 11 and 25 years 19% of males and 13% of female subjects have consumed alcohol in a manner deemed to pose a health risk according to the criteria of the Higher Institute of Health, for a total of 1,370,000 subjects. In particular, 32% of males and 25% of females consumed alcohol between meals, while binge drinking (compulsive intake of 5 alcohol units on a single occasion) affected 11% of males and 25% of females. 6% of females aged 11 to 25.
Other important information concerns the type of alcohol consumed, with a prevalent consumption of beer in males (42%) followed by alcoholic aperitifs (37%) and wine (31%), while in female subjects the majority consume alcoholic aperitifs ( 33%) followed by beer (28%) and wine (24%).
These data denote a significant socio-cultural change in the consumption of alcoholic beverages in Italy, which is moving from the traditional consumption of wine with meals, to the consumption of other types of alcohol between meals.
Fortunately, the data for 2021 seems to be decreasing compared to 2020, particularly regarding the female sex. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was in fact a global increase in the consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially among young people.
In particular, in 2020, 760,000 subjects aged between 11 and 17 consumed alcohol in a risky manner, with the 16 and 17 year old population group most represented (males, 43.8%; females, 40.5% ). In the 11-15 year age group, female subjects reported risky consumption which was 10.2% higher than the 8.2% of male subjects.
Risky alcohol consumption represents a cause of increased mortality and morbidity both due to direct pathologies and indirect events. There are diseases directly related to the harmful use of alcohol, first of all liver disease, but in the same way there are events such as road accidents and intentional episodes of violence attributable to the use of alcohol.
As regards liver disease in particular, the spectrum of clinical pictures associated with harmful use of alcohol varies from simple steatosis to cirrhosis, in the context of which hepatocellular carcinoma can develop. A clinical syndrome called acute alcohol-related hepatitis may also arise, which represents the most severe form of alcoholic liver disease, with high short-term mortality rates.
There is increasing scientific evidence on how alcohol consumption at a young age can have a role in the development of liver disease in the long term, in particular it has been demonstrated that binge drinking is associated with an increased risk of liver disease regardless of consumption. alcohol intake and other confounding factors.
It therefore becomes a priority to educate and raise awareness in society and in particular young people about the correct use of alcoholic beverages.
It is necessary to plan more systematic and standardized pathways, continue to go to schools, generate an open and constructive dialogue on the prevention of alcohol abuse, actively involving young people and promoting greater awareness of the risks associated with excessive consumption.
However, it is important that messages on the consequences of alcohol abuse are always based on scientific evidence and provide reliable resources.
The Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF) has always pursued the objective of research and dissemination of scientific evidence in the field of liver diseases.
Alcoholic liver damage and the various associated clinical pictures have been the subject of numerous studies by the Italian hepatological community. In recent years, the AISF has produced documents to provide practical indications for the shared management of the problem with general medicine and other specialists and during the last annual meeting in Rome which has just ended, ample space was given to the need for multidisciplinary approach to alcohol-related disease.
It is Aisf’s objective to continue with initiatives such as training events for young hepatologists and awareness campaigns, while strengthening dialogue with institutions on this issue of significant social impact.
* Secretary Aisf – Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
** Gastroenterologist, Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Hospital – University of Padua
