Join us to explore the relationship between alcohol and work

Join us to explore the relationship between alcohol and work  

 

When it comes to alcohol, how does the work we do influence our drinking and our drinking impact our work?

 

That’s the question residents in Hartlepool are being asked to think about during national Alcohol Awareness Week from Monday 7th to Sunday 13th July.

This year’s theme is ‘alcohol and work’ and Hartlepool Borough Council’s drug and alcohol service Start will be hosting drop-in sessions for residents to find out more about the negative effect alcohol can have on their lives and the free help and support Start can provide.

The sessions will help people reflect on their own relationship between alcohol and work, to better understand how these aspects of their lives are linked and explore ways to improve their health, productivity and happiness.

The sessions are:

Monday 7th July at Community Hub South in Wynyard Road, 10am - 2pm

Wednesday 9th July at Community Hub Central in York Road, 10am - 2pm

Across the UK, around ten million people regularly drink alcohol in ways that can harm their health and wellbeing. From headaches, hangovers and sleepless nights to lower productivity and symptoms like anxiety and depression worsening over time, alcohol affects people in so many ways.

At the same time, the world of work is constantly changing. Lots of people are working longer hours, feeling more stress and experiencing a blurring of lines between work and home, while alcohol-centred workplace cultures are still a reality for many.

Moving in and out of work, whether planned or unplanned, can also affect people and their drinking habits - from unemployment and retirement to parental leave and caring responsibilities. These changes can sometimes leave people feeling unsettled, bored, isolated and lonely, causing them to drink more alcohol.

So this year's Alcohol Awareness Week seeks to unravel the complex relationship between alcohol and work and celebrate the benefits that individuals, organisations and communities can unlock through healthier, safer and more respectful workplace cultures.

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and Chair of the Hartlepool Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “Alcohol Awareness Week is a key opportunity for us to reflect on how alcohol affects not just our health, but our working lives and communities.

“This year’s theme, ‘Alcohol and Work’, is especially important as we recognise the impact alcohol can have on productivity, wellbeing and workplace relationships.

“In Hartlepool, we’re committed to supporting residents and employers to create healthier, more supportive environments - where people feel empowered to seek help without stigma. Together we can build a culture that prioritises wellbeing both in and out of the workplace.”

Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive Officer of Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Alcohol Awareness Week, said: “Whether it’s used as a team bonding tool, a reward or as a default for Friday night drinks or networking events, alcohol is often made to feel like the main attraction, particularly at workplace socials, to the point where many of us are made to feel uncomfortable or excluded if we don’t drink or want to drink less alcohol – no matter our reason.

“And when work stresses, career changes, shifts in our working patterns or life outside work start to get on top of us, we can find ourselves using alcohol to try to cope.

“But the reality is that drinking alcohol to manage stress and anxiety can often worsen our symptoms and prevent us from performing, and feeling, our best.”

As well as coming to one of Start drop-in sessions, people can also get involved in Alcohol Awareness Week by:

*  Watching and sharing Alcohol Change UK’s new film at www.facebook.com/AlcoholChangeUK, exploring the effects of alcohol on health and wellbeing and how this can show up at work.

*  Sharing their experiences, events and activities on social media using the hashtag #AlcoholAwarenessWeek and tagging @AlcoholChangeUK.