Alcohol Awareness Week

This Alcohol Awareness Week, we’re encouraging people to take a moment to reflect on their relationship with alcohol.

The theme of this year’s campaign, Alcohol and Me, recognises that everyone’s experience is different. For some people, alcohol plays a small part in their lives. For others, it can become connected to how they cope with stress, loneliness, anxiety or difficult life events.

There is no judgement in taking a closer look at the role that alcohol plays in your life. In fact, reflection can be an important first step towards improving your health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Understanding the role alcohol plays in your life

Alcohol is a normal part of many social occasions and daily routines. But because it is so familiar, we do not always stop to think about the impact it may be having on us.

Taking time to reflect can help us better understand our habits and how they affect our physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships and day-to-day lives.

You might ask yourself:

• When and why do I drink?
• How do I feel after drinking?
• Has my drinking changed over time?
• Does alcohol help me cope with difficult feelings, or does it sometimes make them harder to manage?
• Is my drinking affecting my health, relationships or wellbeing?

There are no right or wrong answers. The aim is simply to create space for honest reflection.

Recovery begins with small steps

Whether that leads to small changes or seeking additional support, recognising that you may want something to change is a positive step forward.

You don’t have to face challenges alone

Support is available for anyone who is concerned about their alcohol use, whether they are looking for information, advice or more structured support.

Framework is lead partner of Nottingham Recovery Network (NRN), which provides a range of services to support people affected by alcohol and drug use across Nottingham.

If Alcohol Awareness Week has prompted you to think differently about your drinking habits, you can learn more about understanding your relationship with alcohol and the support available through the Nottingham Recovery Network.

You can also take NRN’s confidential online Am I Drinking Too Much? quiz. The quick self-assessment can help you reflect on your drinking habits and provide information about support and next steps.

This Alcohol Awareness Week, take some time to reflect, start a conversation and remember that support is available if you need it.