Understanding Alcohol Harm: Alcohol Awareness Week 2024 in Barnet
The first week in July (1-7) marked Alcohol Awareness Week 2024 and this year’s theme was ‘Understanding Alcohol Harm’.
Alcohol and our health
Alcohol poses a significant risk to our health and has been linked to more than 60 medical conditions (Burton).
In England, 24% of adults regularly drink over the recommended guidelines (ONS), increasing their risk of multiple types of cancer, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and depression. Alcohol can also affect our health and wellbeing on a daily basis from your quality of sleep to your relationships with loved ones.
Out in the community
During Alcohol Awareness Week, Barnet’s Public Health team worked in the community to encourage residents to think about their alcohol consumption, learn more about the impact of alcohol and share information about where to get support if needed.
Barnet’s local treatment service, ‘Change, Grow, Live’ hosted pop up stalls across the borough including Edgware Hospital, Finchley Hospital, Oakleigh Depot, Council offices in Colindale, and Woodhouse College.
Residents were provided information about alcohol harm, local treatment options and advice about how to support friends or family they had concerns about.
The stalls offered the opportunity to try the alcohol experience goggles which simulate the effect of alcohol impairment, whilst remaining sober!
Worried you’re drinking too much? Try this:
- Complete the 2 minutes alcohol test to find out more about your drinking
- Try tracking your drinking for a few weeks via the DrinkCoach App
- Test your knowledge with this alcohol quiz to see how much you know
For more information about alcohol and our health, and local support and services available, visit the Drink Less page.