Alcohol campaign encourages residents to discuss drinking habits
The Safer Stronger Communities Partnership is encouraging people to start thinking and talking about their drinking habits as part of the National Alcohol Awareness Week (Monday 18 November to Sunday 24 November 2013).
Alcohol Awareness Week is an annual campaign organised by Alcohol Concern. This year’s theme, “Conversations about Alcohol”, focuses on getting people to think about their alcohol consumption, and to discuss any concerns they may have.
As part of the campaign, the Shropshire Drugs and Alcohol Team are encouraging people to support a number of events hosted by Aquarius. Aquarius provide local services for people affected by alcohol use.
Information sessions will be taking place at the Festival Centre, Market Drayton from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Tuesday 19 November 2013, and at the health roadshow at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Wednesday 20 November 2013.
Every year in the UK up to 40,000 deaths are directly related to alcohol use. Regularly drinking above guidelines causes long-term damage to your physical and mental health. Alcohol can contribute to raised blood pressure, liver disease, cancers of the liver, bowel, breast, mouth and throat, mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, infertility, heart disease, stomach ulcers, osteoporosis, pancreatitis, stroke, dementia and brain damage.
Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, said:
“There is a clear link between excessive alcohol consumption and serious health conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Alcohol Awareness Week is a reminder for us all to think and talk about our alcohol consumption, in particular now the festive season is approaching. Big differences to our long term health can be achieved just by making a few small changes to our drinking habits.”
Medical guidelines advise that people should not regularly drink more than the daily unit guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol for men (equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer) and 2-3 units of alcohol for women (equivalent to a 175 ml glass of wine).
If you, or someone you know, is affected by or worried about alcohol use, please call Aquarius on 0300 4564 299.
For more information about Alcohol Awareness Week visit http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/campaign/alcohol-awareness-week.
