Citation

Rehm J, Kailasapillai S, Larsen E, Rehm MX, Samokhvalov AV, Shield KD, Roerecke M, Lachenmeier DW. Addiction 2014; 109(6): 880-893.

Affiliation

Social and Epidemiological Research (SER) Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto (UofT), Toronto, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, UofT, Toronto, Canada; Dept. of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UofT, Toronto, Canada; PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health & Addiction, Toronto, Canada; Epidemiological Research Unit, Technische Universität Dresden, Klinische Psychologie & Psychotherapie, Dresden, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/add.12498

PMID

24467748

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Unrecorded alcohol constitutes about 30% of all alcohol consumed globally. The aims of this systematic review were to determine the epidemiology (occurrence, types, prevalence) of unrecorded alcohol consumption in different countries/regions, analyze the chemical composition of unrecorded alcohol, and examine health outcomes caused by the consumption of unrecorded alcohol, based on either epidemiology or toxicology.

METHODS: A systematic search for, and qualitative analysis of, articles with empirical results on the different categories of unrecorded alcohol, based on PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS: Unrecorded alcohol was widespread in all regions of the world. Artisanal fermented beverages and spirits were the most common categories of unrecorded alcohol globally, and were available on all continents. In India, industrially produced spirits (country spirits) were most prevalent. In Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union, surrogate alcohols complemented artisanal spirits. Cross-border shopping was the most prevalent method of obtaining unrecorded alcohol in parts of Europe. Ethanol was the most harmful ingredient of unrecorded alcohol, and health consequences due to other ingredients found in unrecorded alcohol were scarce. However, since unrecorded alcohol is usually the least expensive form of alcohol available in many countries, it may contribute to higher rates of chronic and irregular heavy drinking.

CONCLUSIONS: Very large amounts of alcohol are produced globally that go unrecorded. The primary harm from this kind of alcohol arises from the fact that it is typically much cheaper than licit alcohol.

Language: en