Let’s get Thinking about Drinking!

Alcohol Personified…

In the beginning, he gave me the courage to do things I never imagined doing. I became so bubbly, I had this boldness to meet different people. He would call me beautiful even when I was clearly a mess. He was never distant from me, always in my reach. But it was weird immediately after a good night, he drained my mind, and my head would feel like there were drums banging inside. I would start feeling nauseous, my stomach would ache and the realization of my great void and emptiness would flood my mind.

I hated how I felt but was hungry for the good times that he brought, that boldness to try new things, so I kept him close, and wouldn’t leave anywhere without him. It wasn’t enough for me to meet him at the venue, I wanted him as I was getting ready, as I was making my way to the location, and during the night out he was always by my side, I didn’t want to go even up to 2 hours without him. There were many nights when I just had to take him home.

He became my life, my closest friend. I did notice that many of my friends began to fade away as they couldn’t understand our friendship. To be honest with you, no one understood it, my family were distraught with how our friendship “changed me.” My work and house responsibilities took a backseat. My life became just him.

Things took a turn for the worse, my mood and behaviour kept changing, I would find it hard to concentrate and focus, and it became almost impossible to sleep. I couldn’t keep my job, I was investing heavily in this relationship, and I would prioritise it sometimes more than paying my bills. My health was deteriorating, I would be in and out of the hospital. I would try to be without him, one week, two weeks, even a month but would find my way back in his leash. I hated him but couldn’t see myself living without him. He was ruining my life and almost ended it. Until I received help!

In England, it is estimated that there are 602,391 dependent drinkers of which 82% are not receiving treatment.  Amongst 15-49-year-olds, alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill health and disability.

If alcohol were a person many would hunt to murder it for the life-threatening damage it does in a person’s life and for the devasting impact it has on the family members of alcoholics.

What is Alcohol Awareness Week?

Alcohol Awareness Week is a week that strives to reduce the silence regarding alcoholism and helps people to identify, address and confront their dependencies. It usually takes place every year in November but will be celebrated in July this year from Monday 3rd July 2023 till Sunday 9th July 2023.

The Theme of this Year’s Alcohol Awareness Week is:

The goal for this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week is to raise awareness of just how much alcohol costs society not only financially but also the costs it has on people’s health, family life, work life and relationships. The average drinker spends an estimated £62,899 on alcohol over the course of a lifetime. Personal costs are even more devasting with alcohol death rates increasing to the highest rate since records began.

Useful Links:

If you, or someone you know, is in need of support with regard to this safeguarding topic, please do not stay silent. Seek the help that is available:

• NHS Alcohol Support Page 
• Find Alcohol Support Services in your area, here
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)– A free self-help group
• The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa)  provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned about their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline.
• Adfam – National charity that works closely with families affected by drugs and alcohol.
• Alcohol Change UK  – Leading UK alcohol charity, formed from the merger of Alcohol Concern and Alcohol Research UK.

If you would like to be involved with this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week please click here.

Please see below for information on LLC’s Safeguarding Officers.