What is Alcohol Awareness Week?
Alcohol Awareness Week is an opportunity for all of us to take a moment to think about our relationship with alcohol. Organised each year to encourage open conversation about drinking, the week highlights the role alcohol can impact our health, wellbeing, and everyday lives.
What is this year’s Alcohol Awareness theme?
This year's theme is ‘Alcohol and me’, which encourages us to reflect on our habits and consider the small changes that can make a positive change for the longer term. Whether you drink regularly, occasionally, or maybe you've become curious about your drinking habits, this week is the opportunity to check in with yourself and learn more about your choices.
This Alcohol Awareness Week, we're exploring four simple questions that can help you reflect on your drinking and discover practical steps that support your wellbeing.
Take this week to ask you these four questions:
When do you drink?
Many people drink out of habit rather than choice. Over time, certain routines can become so familiar that we don’t even think about them.
Perhaps a drink has become part of your Friday night ritual after a busy week, or maybe it's something you automatically reach for while cooking dinner or relaxing in front of the TV.
Take a moment to think about your typical week:
- Do you always have a drink on Friday or on the weekend?
- Is alcohol part of your evening wind-down routine?
- Are there certain events, places, or people that make you more likely to drink?
Understanding when you drink can help you identify patterns and decide whether those habits are working for you.
Why do I drink?
People drink for many different reasons. Alcohol can play a role in social occasions, celebrations, and important moments throughout our lives.
For some, it's about spending time with friends and family. For others, it can feel like a way to relax after a stressful day or mark a special occasion.
Ask yourself:
- Do I drink to socialise and connect with others?
- Is alcohol part of how I celebrate milestones and achievements?
- Do I use alcohol to help me unwind or relax?
- Do I sometimes drink when I'm feeling stressed, bored, or emotional?
Being aware of why you drink can help you make more conscious choices about when and how much you drink.
How much do I drink?
It's easy to underestimate how much we're drinking, especially when drinks are poured at home or spread across a week.
Taking a closer look at your drinking can sometimes reveal surprises.
Consider:
- Do I know how many units are in my usual drinks?
- Does the amount I drink change depending on the day, week, or season?
- How much do I spend on alcohol each month?
- How many calories could be added from my drinks?
Tracking your drinks for just a week can help build a clearer picture of your drinking habits and help you spot patterns you may not have noticed before.
How does drinking make you feel?
Alcohol can affect us in different ways, both during, and after drinking.
While some people associate drinking with relaxation or enjoyment, it's also worth considering how alcohol affects your wellbeing overall.
Think about:
- How do I feel the next morning after drinking?
- Does alcohol affect my sleep quality?
- How does it impact my energy levels, mood, or concentration?
- Am I happy with how much I'm spending on alcohol?
- How do I feel after an alcohol-free day compared to a drinking day?
Discover more about your drinking with MyDrinkaware
The easiest way to learn more about your drinking is to start tracking with MyDrinkaware. Recording what you drink, when you drink, and how you feel can help you build a clearer picture of your habits and identify any changes you'd like to make.