Alcohol Awareness: Raising awareness of the impact of alcohol on our health, wellbeing and relationships

Alcohol Awareness Week raises awareness, campaigns for change, and brings an  opportunity to talk about the harm alcohol does.

This year, Stuart Low Trust will join over 4,000 community groups across the UK to raise awareness of how alcohol can affect us and our relationships with those around us.

Many drink alcohol for a variety of reasons: to relax, socialise, de-stress, have fun, relieve boredom, to cope with feeling lonely, or to try to escape life’s issues. Drinking too much can exacerbate negative physical or mental health, and damage relationships.

Alcohol can be a central aspect of our relationships with friends, family or partners. It can stop us taking action to improve drinking habits, even when those habits are not working for us.

Alcohol can negatively affect our relationships. It can heighten family tensions, get in the way of clear communication, and mean we are less present for each other, including our children. If someone is drinking heavily, it can cause huge concern. There is a risk of someone’s drinking causing conflict, with alcohol being a factor in many cases of child neglect and domestic abuse.

Alcohol can exacerbate anxiety and depression, particularly over the past 18 months of the pandemic. As we start to socialise again, new pressures arise, to drink in social situations.

In support of this year’s campaign, SLT is speaking out about the impact alcohol has on relationships, and is encouraging conversation and listening for better alcohol management.

Led by Alcohol Change UK, Alcohol Awareness Week aims to encourage conversation about alcohol, to motivate change at every level – individual, community and national.

By talking about alcohol and relationships we can better understand how alcohol might be affecting us and those around us.

Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK

 

By taking control of our drinking, we can develop healthier relationships, and increased wellbeing. A great way to start is to record what you drink for a few weeks to understand your drinking pattern. Then set yourself some small achievable goals for better management. 

Alcohol Awareness Week is an opportunity to:

• Talk about the issues around alcohol and its effects on our physical and mental health, and relationships, to help us make informed choices about our drinking. 
• Listen intently to understand how our behaviours may affect others. 
• Realise it is possible to take back control. 
• Support those who may be struggling. Please see the Contacts and Resources list below. 

 

It is easy to take part in Alcohol Awareness Week. Join us by:  

• Sharing your stories, events and activities on social media using the hashtag #AlcoholAwarenessWeek. 
• Start a conversation in your community to highlight the issues and drive a conversation about alcohol awareness.  
• You can also visit the Alcohol Change UK website and sign up for free resources to share across the week too. 

Some helpful Online tools to manage alcohol consumption: 

• Try Dry app
• Check your drinking
• Unit calculator
• Alcohol quiz

Factsheets:

For more information on Alcohol and Relationships, explore these factsheets below put together by Alcohol Change UK

• Alcohol and Domestic Abuse
• Alcohol and Mental Health
• Alcohol and Parenting
• Alcohol and Sex
• Am I drinking too much?
• Someone else’s drinking
• Support with your drinking

Contacts and Resources:  

 

Alcohol Change UK 

Alcohol Change UK works for a society that is free from the harm caused by alcohol. It creates evidence-driven change by working towards five key changes: improved knowledge, better policies and regulation, shifted cultural norms, improved drinking behaviours, and more and better support and treatment. Find out more: www.alcoholchange.org.uk/ 

 

Drinkline 

Drinkline is a national alcohol helpline providing information & advice to callers concerned about their own drinking. Families, friends and carers of someone with alcohol problems can also contact the helpline. 

Telephone: 0300 123 1110 

Opening times: 9.00am – 8.00pm, Monday to Friday 11am – 4pm Weekends 

 

Alcoholics Anonymous 

Find local support groups, AA meetings and recovery programmes or speak to someone on our helpline to help you on your path to recovery from alcoholism. 

Telephone: 01904 644026 / 0845 769 7555 

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk 

 

Addiction Helpline 

A treatment service for people with addictions, created by people in recovery. 

Telephone: 0800 024 1479 

Website: www.addictionhelper.com 

 

Addiction Helper 

A treatment service for people with addictions, created by people in recovery, providing the best treatment options for a whole spectrum of addictions including alcohol and drug abuse.  

Telephone: 0800 138 7188 / 0203 131 8331OR TEXT “HELP” to 66777 

Email: info@addictionhelper.com 

Website: www.addictionhelper.com 

 

Down Your Drink 

This site is designed to help you work out whether you’re drinking too much, and if so, what you can do about it. 

Website: www.downyourdrink.org.uk 

 

Change Grow Live 

CGL is a social care and health charity working with individuals, families and communities across England and Wales that are affected by drugs, alcohol, crime, homelessness, domestic abuse and antisocial behaviour. 

Our projects encourage and empower people to regain control of their lives and motivate them to tackle their problems. 

Website: www.changegrowlive.org 

 

Antidote 

The UK’s only LGBT targeted drug and alcohol service providing harm-reduction, advice and information. 

Telephone: 020 7833 1674 helpline Monday-Friday 10am-6pm 

Email: antidote@londonfriend.org.uk