North East men most likely to drink alcohol at increasing or higher risk levels
People are being urged to reduce their alcohol consumption
Last updated 4th Jul 2024
We are hearing how men living in the North East and Teesside are most likely to drink alcohol at increasing or higher risk levels.
The latest NHS data shows it makes up 39 percent in the region, the highest rate in the country, and for women it is 18 percent.
Drinkaware is urging people to reduce their alcohol consumption, as two thirds of adult drinkers in the UK - an estimated 30 million people - have never been asked to check in on their drinking.
This Alcohol Awareness Week, the alcohol charity is urging Brits to take a quick and easy “Drinking Check” and ensure they are not putting their health at risk by unknowingly overconsuming – especially as the summer season and summer holidays come into full swing.
Available on their website, the Drinking Check is a simple tool to understand what impact alcohol may have on health as well as identifying potentially harmful habits. It also provides advice on how to have a healthier relationship with alcohol.
Studies have shown that it can effectively identify people with risky drinking behaviour and regular use can help Brits keep track of their consumption and stay within the Chief Medical Officer’s low risk guidelines.
Derek Scott is from 'We Are With You', a drug and alcohol support charity in Redcar and Cleveland. He said: "I think it's really, really important to managing your alcohol, just checking on it occasionally, making sure that you're not drinking excessive amounts or prolonged periods and you're trying to stay within advice guidelines of 14 units per week, which equates to 2-3 units a day, and try to have at least two alcohol-free days.
"Some of the signs of binge-drinking, one of which is complete denial, where they'll say 'oh no, I just go down once or twice a week', not being able to slow down or even stop and say 'right, I've had enough now. I'm going home.' Drinking more than you planned as well, you might say 'well, I might come out for two or three and before you know it, we've drank more than we've planned to.'
"It's been proven that there are about seven or eight various kinds of cancers that are being caused by the misuse, prolonged and excessive use of alcohol. We've got oesophageal bleeds, stomach ulcers and of course the big ones, apart from liver failure, is mental health.
"Walk to the pub, you could drive there so you become the designated driver and obviously you don't want to lose your licence so you won't be using alcohol. Don't take excessive amounts of money out with you, take what you need, don't take your cards with you and don't get involved in buying rounds. If you're going to go out and the kick-off is at 8pm then go just in time for kick-off.
"Try and get involved in focus-based activities. Now, that's something that distracts the brain from going down this path of 'let's go to the pub' or 'let's go and get six cans of lager.' If you are going to have a drink then tell somebody, say 'look, if I'm not back in two hours, come and get me.'"
Their main office is in Redcar at 161 High Street, TS10 3AN. You can also call them on 0300 3033781.