Alcohol awareness week aims to change attitudes towards alcohol and to raise awareness of the risks and what is considered safe drinking levels.
Led by Alcohol Change UK, the theme this year is about the cost of alcohol. This is not just the expense of buying alcohol but also the health costs, social costs, personal costs, costs to our relationships and to the NHS.
We can all take steps to make a change and with improved support and prevention, we can save money and save lives.
Dr Mohamed Aly, A
lcohol lead at NCIC, said:
“Many people like a drink to relax or socialise and drinking in moderation is considered safe. However, drinking alcohol regularly has an effect on brain chemistry and can increase the risk of depression. It can also affect our sleep and people can get trapped in a cycle of feeling low and more anxious as well as increasing our risk of heart conditions, liver disease, stroke and cancer.
“Cutting down on alcohol and taking a few days off a week from alcohol can be a really good way to reduce your risk of developing serious health issues."
Alcohol is linked to more than 60 medical conditions including liver disease, at least six forms of cancer and depression.
The Chief Medical Officers have shared ‘low-risk’ drinking guidelines to help give us a steer about how we can minimise the risks associated with drinking and make healthier choices.
It's safest not to drink more than 14 units per week, spread over three or more days and with a few days off.
Dr Aly added:
“Too often we don’t think about alcohol when it comes to protecting our health. We are encouraging people in Cumbria to rethink their attitude towards alcohol and to consider ways to cut down.
“The last few years have seen more people drinking at risky levels which, over time, will increase people’s risk of developing cancers such as breast and bowel cancer, heart disease and stroke, as well as potentially adding to anxiety and depression.”
The harm caused by alcohol affects millions of people every year in the form of health problems, financial worries, relationship breakdown and family difficulties. It brings with it huge social costs too with the significant pressure it places on the NHS, the emergency services, police, and workplaces.
Alcohol UK state that the total social cost of alcohol to society is estimated to be at least £21 billion each year. Individuals spend tens of thousands of pounds on average on alcohol over the course of a lifetime. They add that the personal costs are much starker with alcohol death rates increasing to the highest rate since records began and millions more people suffering from worsened mental and physical health every day as a result of harmful drinking.
You may need help if:
- you often feel the need to have a drink
- you get into trouble because of your drinking
- other people warn you about how much you're drinking
- you think your drinking is causing you problems
If you feel you need help a good place to start is with a GP. Try to be accurate and honest about how much you drink and any problems it may be causing you.
The GP may suggest different types of assessment and support options available to you, such as from local community alcohol services.
If you search alcohol support on www.nhs.uk you can find alcohol support services in your area.
Useful contacts for alcohol problems
- Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups. https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
- Al-Anon Family Groups offers support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they're still drinking or not. Alateen is part of Al-Anon and can be attended by 12- to 17-year-olds who are affected by another person's drinking, usually a parent. http://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/
- We Are With You is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse. If you are over 50 and worried about your drinking, call 0808 8010 750 https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/
- http://www.adfam.org.uk/ is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and a database of local support groups.
- The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned about their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline. http://www.nacoa.org.uk/
- SMART Recovery groups help people decide whether they have a problem, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery. https://www.smartrecovery.org.uk/