Alcohol Awareness Week is a national campaign aimed at encouraging open conversations about alcohol use, raising awareness of its risks and supporting individuals who may be struggling with drinking habits. Observed annually in July, the week offers an important opportunity to reflect on our relationships with alcohol and how it affects our health, family and communities.
Alcohol Awareness Week is coordinated by Alcohol Change UK. Each year, over 6,000 public health teams, workplaces, GP surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals, charities, and other community groups across the country sign up to take part using resources provided by us.
This year’s theme is on alcohol and work. A report can be downloaded here.
Alcohol and Domestic Abuse
Alcohol alone is not a cause of domestic abuse and is never an excuse. There are, however, many ways in which alcohol and domestic abuse are related.
Domestic abuse affects millions of people in the UK. It affects not just the main target of the abuse but also other family members and children.
Living with domestic abuse can be extremely frightening, distressing, or exhausting. This can cause some people to drink alcohol to try to cope with the physical and mental health impacts of domestic abuse.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Sadly, hundreds of thousands of families are affected every year and each and every person deserves support.
Support
Refuge provides the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. British Sign Language (Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm) on their website www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Women’s Aid Survivors Handbook contains a wealth of information, including information on legal rights, supporting children and finding help. Their website contains links to local services near you and to services specialising in support for Black and minoritised women: www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory
Men’s Advice Line provides a range of services aimed primarily at men experiencing domestic abuse from their partner on 0808 801 0327 or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Galop provide support for LGBT+ victims/survivors of sexual violence, hate crime or domestic abuse. Galop operates the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 999 5428 and offers support via email help@galop.org.uk
© Info from Alcohol Change UK and Esther Robertson, CWU Eastern No.4, ASR and Women’s Officer