Beyond quantity: binge drinking vs. drunkenness

AssoBirra supported the Osservatorio Permanente sui Giovani e l’Alcool (The Permanent Observatory on Youth and Alcohol), in December 2013 a conference took place on “Beyond quantity: binge drinking vs. drunkenness”. Organised jointly with the Department of Culture, Politics and Society of the University of Torino and the consultant firm Eclectica (Turin), the day was devoted to an open debate around a qualitative examination of binge drinking behaviour in two groups of young people (aged respectively 15-17 and 22-24) in three Italian cities (Torino, Roma and Salerno).

The research strategy – coordinated and executed by Eclectica under the direction of Dr. Franca Beccaria – aimed at an empirical assessment of the notion of bingeing as interpreted and experienced directly by young people engaging in it. In particular the qualitative methods adopted allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of the subjective perspectives of drinkers who binge. Quite interestingly, the analysis shows that Italian excessive drinkers adopt a variety of behavioural strategies leading to a substantial discrimination between getting drunk and bingeing. Young Italians are clearly distinguishing between drunkenness – whose negative connotation and association with intoxication is clearly expressed, and being “tipsy” or euphoric. The conference showed that the concept of binge drinking shows significant exceptions in the Italian case and its adoptability as a fully-fledged concept of juvenile excessive drinking should be revised. A round table took place amongst Prof. J. Demant (University of Aarhus), Prof. F. Faggiano (University of Piemonte Orientale), Dr. F. Piani (Inter regional Health Commission), Cr. L. Grosso (Gruppo Abele), M. Contel (Osservatorio Permanente sui Giovani e l’Alcool) and P. Ugolini (Italian Society of Health Sociology), with concluding remarks by Prof. F. Prina (Università di Torino).

OPGA Developments 2016-2021

In 2018 and 2019 OPGA focussed its core activities on two topics: (i) the monitoring of the scientific literature on alcohol and health with a major focus on cardio-vascular diseases and cancer and, (ii) knowledge management of the social aspects of the night economy in the main Italian cities.

The first task is mostly associated with two lines of work: the realization of regular monitoring of scientific publication in the “riviste & ricerche” section of the Newsletter “Osservatorio News”. The section covers scientific news related to recently published articles in international peer reviewd Journals providing short evaluations and commentary. The second task comprises a line of research projects mostly on the current dynamics of the night economy in major Italian cities, exploring motivations of consumers, social trends and the regulatory aspects of on trade commercial activities including legal provisions and law and order.

In 2018-2019 OPGA funded a major restructuring of its communication facilities. A new format and graphical layout of the OPGA Bulletin and Newsletter (Osservatorio News) was adopted. Since 2018 the Newsletter is published on line and diffused on a two-months base for a total of 6 numbers yearly. At the moment of writing 47 numbers have been released. New tools also include a regular Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin accounts and channels to manage daily communication, information on initiatives and also technical support for on line events and webinars.

The recently created blog channel (l’Intemperante – The Intemperant, www.intemperante-alcol.net) is devoted to cutting commentary on various news in the sector of alcohol policy and alcohol research. The blog allows ready responses and polemical remarks on an ”off the records” basis without official commitment of the parts. The Association website (www.alcol.net) was also reshaped.

Research, public events and webinars

2018
LA MOVIDA CHE NON TI ASPETTI (“A night out in town, but not the one you expected”) in collaboration with CID Ethics CNR (Consiglio Nazinale delle ricerche), a research project exploring motivations and drinking behaviours of young people crowding the “movida districts” of San Lorenzo and Ponte Milvio, two major locations of the night economy in Rome The final report was presented at a public Conference in Rome at CNR on December 4, 2018.

2019-2020
Aggregazioni giovanili e forme di movida a Milano: tra gestione del territorio, sostenibilità delle città e politiche giovanili (Youth groupings and styles of the movida profiles in Milano; safety, sustainability and policies for the youth”), a research project exploring rites and motivations of the major Milan movida locations (Isola, San Lorenzo, Darsena). In collaboration with CNR CID ETHICS. The research was enriched by an ad hoc investigation on the drinking habits of two samples (Rome and Milan) of young people aged 18-35 years following restrictions due to the COVID-19 viral pandemic and change behaviour due to imposed lockdowns.

The results of the two investigations were released and discussed during a Webinar: “I GIOVANI LA MOVIDA, LA CITTA’ (Young people, the movida and the city”) held on line on September, 28 2021 with the participation the deputy major of Milan (A. Scavuzzo), the assessor for youth (D. Del Corno) , representatives of the night economy sector (G. Sbraga), experts (E. Gargiulo, C. Cippitelli). The Conference was closed by F. Dadone, Minister for youth policy and sporting activities.

Publications of the OSSERVATORIO

OPGA’s role in the scientific debate was secured by a number of published articles, including in 2017 a full chapter of an Italian Academic Manual for addiction medicine “In Sostanza. Manuale sulle dipendenza patologiche” (eds: F.Lugoboni and L. Zambon) edf.CLAD Onlus, was published as chapter 7.1 vol. 1 Epidemiologia e modelli del bere (Epidemiology and drinking patterns), by M. Contel