This week is National Alcohol Awareness Week and throughout Scotland people are being encouraged to examine how much they really drink.
Dr Gary Tanner, Clinical Lead of NHS Lanarkshire’s drugs and alcohol service, said: “The aim of the week is to promote responsible drinking by encouraging people to make sensible, positive choices about their alcohol consumption.”
The awareness week brings government, the alcohol industry, health professionals and the voluntary sector together to promote a message about responsible drinking. It provides people with informative and practical suggestions that can help them manage the amount of alcohol they drink.
This year’s ‘What’s in it for me?’ campaign aims to drive awareness amongst Scots and demonstrate that making positive lifestyle choices, changing drinking habits and drinking more responsibly will enable them to get more out of their day, week and weekend, at work, at home and with friends or family.
Dr Tanner added: “Most people enjoy alcohol responsibly, but alcohol related health problems are on the increase in Lanarkshire and throughout Scotland.
“During Alcohol Awareness Week we asked everyone in Lanarkshire to think about their own alcohol consumption and to try and make positive choices through a few simple and easy to follow steps. These small changes can have really big benefits.”
A number of simple, achievable steps are suggested:
1. Have food while drinking
2. Set a good example to young people by drinking responsibly
3. Think carefully before driving the next day
4. Think about the sensible drinking guidelines on a night out/in
5. Try alternating alcohol with soft drinks or water
For further advice visit www.alcoholawarenessweek.com . For information on local services visit www.LanADAT.org.uk