GET INVOLVED IN NI ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK
Northern Ireland’s Alcohol Awareness Week, supported by the Public Health Agency and the five Drug and Alcohol Coordination Teams, takes place annually during the third week of June (Monday through to Sunday). In 2024, this is 17 June – 23 June.
During NIAAW, we encourage people to take a closer look at their drinking habits by counting their units to see if they’re staying within the recommended weekly limits. We also encourage that everyone will ‘AUDIT’ their drinking using our handy tool.
Over three-quarters of adults in Northern Ireland drink alcohol, but consuming too much can seriously affect our health. It is important that we can understand our drinking behaviour and explore our relationship with alcohol. Small changes can make a big difference.
Below you will find some links to our online tools and info booklets. Visit this section again each May/June to find out more about our latest alcohol awareness week plans. To find out what is happening locally that you might want to get involved in, contact your local Connections team – see our About section for details.
Alcohol Awareness Week Top Tips:
TO STAY HEALTHY AND REDUCE RISK…
+ Understand how much you’re drinking by taking the alcohol MOT – www.drugsandalcoholni.info/mot
+ Learn how many units are in your chosen drink
+ When drinking at home, measure your drinks as you pour, don’t ‘free pour’
+ Always look after yourself and know what your limits are
+ Have something to eat before you start drinking to slow down the absorption of alcohol
+ Alternate each alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic drink, for example, water or a soft drink
+ Take frequent five minute breaks from drinking to give your body time to recover
+ Avoid drinking in rounds or having a kitty as this may result in you drinking more
+ Keep track of your drinks and don’t let anyone top up your drink until it’s finished
+ If a friend does drink too much, don’t leave them alone or let them wander off, rather, encourage them to rehydrate with non-alcoholic drinks
+ Never add drugs into the mix
Visit the PHA and NIDACTs social media pages more tips and advice during Alcohol Awareness week
www.facebook.com/publichealthagency
www.twitter.com/publichealthni
TAKE YOUR DRINKING FOR AN MOT TEST!
IF YOU’D LIKE TO CHECK YOUR OWN ALCOHOL INTAKE AND WHETHER YOU’RE PUTTING YOURSELF AT RISK PLEASE COMPLETE OUR ONLINE ALCOHOL MOT.
DOWNLOAD SOME HELPFUL READING AND TOOLS BELOW…
Talk to someone, you are not alone.
Lifeline counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen and help, in confidence.
Those with hearing difficulties
Lifeline support is available for deaf people and those with hearing difficulties. Textphone users can contact Lifeline on 18001 0808 808 8000.
Textphone can be accessed using the Relay UK App, read the guidance on getting stated with Relay UK.
Something went wrong with the twitter. Please check your credentials and twitter username in the twitter settings.
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
Type: OAuthException