What Is Alcohol Awareness Week?

Alcohol Awareness Week is all about helping people think about their drinking. It happens every year and gives us a chance to look at how alcohol affects us and the people around us. The idea is to raise awareness about the issues alcohol can cause and generate a space where alcohol is freely talked about without judgement.

Why We Should Talk About It?

Drinking is a normal part of life for a lot of people. Nights out, birthdays, weekends –it’s just what we do. But that also means it’s easy to ignore how much we’re drinking or how it impacts our bodies. Some people might be struggling with it but don’t want to address it due to the fear of what others might think. That’s why it’s so important to talk about it more openly.

How Much Is Too Much?

The NHS recommends not to drink more than 14 units a week. That’s about six pints of beer or six glasses of wine. But it’s not just about numbers. If you drink most nights, or feel like you need a drink to relax or sleep, that could be a sign there’s a cause for concern. It’s worth thinking about how often you drink and why...

What Alcohol Can Do to You

Drinking too much isn’t just bad for your liver. It can also lead to problems like high blood pressure, weight gain, and even cancer. It can affect your sleep and your mood too. A lot of people drink to deal with stress or low moods, but alcohol can actually make those things worse over time.

How to Make a Change

You don’t need to quit completely to make a difference. You could try having a few alcohol-free days each week, or switch to drinks with less alcohol in them. You might want to try something like dry January or sober October to see how it feels not drinking for a prolonged amount of time. These changes can be beneficial towards better sleep quality, energy, and support your mental health.

Where to Get Help?
If you’re worried about how much you’re drinking, there’s help out there. You can talk to your GP, a friend, or reach out to one of the organisations listed below. You’re not on your own, and getting support is nothing to be ashamed of.

Some places that can help:

● Drinkaware – Advice and tips for cutting back. There is a helpline and
webchat available as well as a mobile app - Mydrinkaware

● Alcohol Change UK – Campaign info and support

● NHS Alcohol Support – Help with finding services

● Change, grow live - Support and advice, webchat available

● Samaritans - 116123 Jo@samaritans.org

● Mind - 030012333393

● Drink coach app - drinkcoach.org.uk

● Insight timer - Mindfulness

● Headspace - Holistic wellbeing

Final Thoughts
Alcohol Awareness Week is a good time to think about how we drink and if it’s doing us any harm. Even if you feel fine, it’s always good to check in with yourself. A few small changes could make a big difference. It’s never too late to make a better choice when it comes to alcohol.

‘Small changes add up to huge results’