Around 10 million people in the UK regularly drink alcohol in ways that can harm their health and wellbeing, according to the charity Alcohol Change UK. And it’s not just physical health that’s at risk, alcohol consumption can contribute to anxiety, low mood, sleep problems and other mental health conditions.
As Alcohol Change UK puts it, “From headaches, hangovers and sleepless nights to lower productivity and symptoms like anxiety and depression worsening over time, alcohol affects us in so many ways.”
The theme of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week (7-13 July) is alcohol and work. Working is generally good for mental health as it provides routine, income, a sense of identity and connection with others. When under pressure at work, however, some people use alcohol as a coping mechanism.
In this blog, we recommend healthier ways to deal with work-related stress and generally boost your wellbeing. We also signpost to organisations that provide support for alcohol dependency.
You can find out more about Alcohol Awareness Week on the Alcohol Change UK website and by following @alcoholchangeuk and #AlcoholAwarenessWeek on social media.