Five things our P-RESET team want you to know about Alcohol Awareness Week

Did you know that Alcohol Awareness Week is coming up on 15-21 November? 

To raise awareness of the risks alcohol can have on your health, our P-RESET service has shared some useful tips and facts about where you can seek alcohol support, the true effects alcohol can have on your physical and mental health, and how drinking has affected people during the pandemic.

• Alcohol-related harm has soared during the pandemic. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show a 20% increase in alcohol-specific deaths in 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, which is the highest rate of deaths recorded since data collection began in 2001.
• Further findings from Public Health England show increased alcohol consumption, particularly among heavy drinkers, during the pandemic has likely driven an unprecedented rise in alcoholic liver disease deaths.
• Alcohol increases our risk of many serious health conditions including cancer, mental health problems, and liver disease. Alcohol is a causal factor in more than 60 medical conditions.
• There are an estimated 586,780 dependent drinkers in the UK, yet less than one in five are receiving treatment.
• If you are struggling, help is available. Speak to your GP; P-RESET in general practices offers screening, advice, and referral to RESET (the local Tower Hamlets drug and alcohol service) for further support.

There are also support groups that you can attend, for example, Alcohol Anonymous. Click the link to search for groups near you.