Alcohol and Me

Alcohol Awareness Week (6-12 July), returns this month with a simple but powerful focus: ‘Alcohol and me.’

Rather than telling us what we should or shouldn’t be doing, this year’s campaign is asking everyone to pause and reflect on their own relationship with alcohol, and how it fits into their everyday lives.

Why it matters
Alcohol is part of many social routines across the UK and Ireland – but it can also impact our wellbeing in ways we don’t always notice day to day.

Across the UK:
# 77% of adults report drinking alcohol in the last year
# 1 in 5 people feel pressure to drink socially

In Northern Ireland:
# Around 24% of adults choose not to drink at all
# However alcohol-related harm remains a significant public health issue

In Ireland:
# Average consumption is 9.9 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year
# Patterns show many adults drinking at least once a week

Globally:
# Alcohol contributes to around 2.6 million deaths each year

Taken together, the picture is clear: alcohol is common – but its impact is worth understanding.

Looking beyond the obvious

For many of us, alcohol is linked to unwinding, socialising or marking the end of a busy day. But it can also quietly affect:

Sleep quality – even small amounts can disrupt rest

Energy levels – leaving us feeling more tired or sluggish

Mood – impacting anxiety and emotional balance

Focus – affecting concentration and productivity

Sometimes, the most powerful change starts with a simple question: ‘Is this working for me?’

Alcohol Awareness Week encourages us to move from autopilot to awareness – helping us make choices that better support how we want to feel, both now and in the future.

Setting your own boundaries

One of the most empowering outcomes of reflection is deciding what works for you. That might mean:

• Drinking a little less
• Being more intentional about when you drink
• Exploring alternatives in social settings
• Or simply becoming more aware of your patterns

There’s no single ‘right’ approach – just what supports your wellbeing.

Whether that’s choosing not to drink, cutting back, or just being more mindful – every option/choice is valid.

Further information on ‘Alcohol and Mental Health’ is available on the Hub along with our ‘Virtual Bar’ where you can count up your units (actual or planned) and see how this fits within the guidelines.

The 2-minute check-in

At the heart of the campaign is

a simple invitation to take two minutes to check in with yourself.

When do I usually drink – and why?

Is it a conscious choice or just habit?

How do I feel afterwards (later on/next day)?

Does this align with how I want to feel day-to-day?

There’s no right or wrong answer – just better awareness hopefully leading to better choices.

Further information on ‘Alcohol and Mental Health’ is available on the Hub along with our ‘Virtual Bar’ where you can count up your units (actual or planned) and see how this fits within the guidelines.