Alcohol Awareness Week is an annual campaign by Alcohol Change UK, to raise awareness of alcohol consumption in the UK and encourage more people to talk about alcohol harm within their communities. This year’s theme is ‘Understanding alcohol harm’ and the campaign will run from 1st-7th July.
Year on year, the statistics for alcohol-specific deaths are rising. In 2022, there were 10,048
deaths (16.6 per 100,000 people) from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, the highest number on record. Without change to reduce stigma in healthcare settings and in general, these numbers will continue to increase. Alcohol Awareness Week provides a time to reflect on our attitudes and think about what we can do to help improve access to addiction services, so more people can receive the help they need for alcohol harm.
Understanding the harm caused by alcohol is the first step toward mitigating its impact. By
leveraging insights from organisations like Alcohol Change UK, we can work collectively to
create healthier communities and support those affected by alcohol addictions.
Encouraging and promoting safer and healthier relationships with alcohol is key to supporting more people across the UK and reducing alcohol harm where we can.
The NHS APA Alcohol Harms Working Group commented,
"The statistics are clear: alcohol harms are impacting millions across the country, and the situation is worsening. These numbers represent real people facing the paradox of widespread, accepted alcohol use and the harmful stigma when it becomes problematic. We all have a responsibility to re-evaluate our beliefs and attitudes towards alcohol and those affected by its use. This is why we fully support the efforts of Alcohol Change UK and Alcohol Awareness Week. With a new government forming, we believe the time is now – and the opportunity is there – to take action on this most crucial of issues.”
Supporting Alcohol Awareness Week 2024
Read more about the NHS APA’s previous campaign, #FindANewHappyHour, for tips to reduce alcohol consumption.
Reach out to family and friends to offer support.
Support our #StigmaKills campaign and use our resources to reduce stigma and improve access to treatment for others.
Learn more about support for alcohol consumption here.
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To find out more about how you can get involved in Alcohol Awareness Week and learn more about reducing alcohol harm, visit Alcohol Change UK’s website.
If you or someone you know is at risk of alcohol harm, please contact your GP for your first line of support. You can also use the below directory to find support near you:
Further contacts for support can be found here: alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-