Welcome to the Alcohol Change UK April newsletter
This month has been another challenging one for many of us in the UK and across the world. We hope you are safe and well.
We are actively updating our coronavirus hub with the latest information and advice, and reaching out to people to let them know support is available if they need it – whether that be for their drinking or someone else’s. On the hub you can also find information for professionals working in the alcohol sector.
Read on to find out about our new research into drinking habits during lockdown, our new research funding programme, meet our new Chair and see a roundup of the past month’s alcohol news.
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Launching soon: our new research grants programme
We are delighted to announce the publication of our new Research Strategy which sets out our aims and priority areas for stimulating and supporting innovation in alcohol harm research for the next three years.
A key part of this is our New Horizons grants programme, launching in early May, on the theme of ‘Groups, Communities and Alcohol Harm’. Read our Research Strategy to find out more.
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New research reveals how UK drinking habits have changed during lockdown
On 16 April we released the headline findings of a new survey looking at how UK drinking habits have changed during lockdown. The survey of over 2,000 people found that more than one in five (21%) adults who drink alcohol are drinking more often since lockdown began on 23 March. But one in three of those who drink (35%) have reduced how often they drink or stopped drinking altogether. More than one in three (38%) drinkers or past drinkers said that they are taking active steps to manage their drinking.
Those who were already drinking the least often have cut down in the greatest number. Nearly half (47%) of people who drank once a week or less have cut down or stopped drinking, compared to just over a quarter (27%) of people who drank two to six times a week, and just one in five (17%) daily drinkers. Worryingly, nearly one in five (18%) daily drinkers have further increased the amount they drink.
Read the coverage in the Guardian, Telegraph and Metro (among others).
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Meet the new Chair of our Board of Trustees
We are very pleased to welcome the new Chair of our Board of Trustees, Fiyaz Mughal. Fiyaz is the Founder and Director of TellMAMA, Faith Matters, and the National No2H8 awards, as well as Chair of the Oxford Research Group.
Fiyaz says:
“I am proud to work with Alcohol Change UK and with its committed, dynamic and dedicated team. The work of the charity is led by evidence, but it also places people at the heart of its research and campaigning work.”
We would also like to thank our trustees stepping down for their excellent and dedicated work over the past several years with the charity.
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Coronavirus: alcohol information and advice hub
The UK has been on lockdown for over a full month, and we are all finding new ways to cope with new and pre-existing challenges. On our website we have created a coronavirus hub. It is being updated regularly with the latest information, links to remote support services, resources for professionals in the alcohol treatment sector, tips for looking after your mental health and more.
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Alcohol Awareness Week 2020: alcohol and mental health
In case you missed it, we announced the theme and date for this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week in our last newsletter! It will take place 16 – 22 November 2020, and the theme is alcohol and mental health.
You can find out more and get involved by visiting our website.
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Can you help us be there for everyone who needs us?
Since 23 March, when lockdown began, we have seen a more than 300% increase in visits to the 'Get help now' section of our website compared to the same time last year. We are working hard to make sure we are here for everyone who needs us, providing vital information and advice to those affected by alcohol harm.
By setting up a regular gift today or making a one-off donation you can help us reach everyone who needs us. We know that this is a difficult time to ask for your support, so please only help if you can.
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New briefing on alcohol and domestic abuse
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, figures already show an increase in domestic abuse reports . A new briefing, from Dr Sarah Fox and Professor Sarah Galvani at Manchester Metropolitan University in collaboration with Adfam and Alcohol Change UK, has been published examining the relationship between alcohol and domestic abuse in the context of Covid-19 restrictions.
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Alcohol “an unhelpful coping strategy” during coronavirus crisis
Alcohol is an “unhelpful coping strategy” for the possible stress and isolation of coronavirus lockdown, a World Health Organisation expert has said. The warning came in light of a survey which suggested the pandemic has caused nearly two thirds of adults in the UK to feel anxious or worried.
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Alcohol sales are up, but so too are low- and no-alcohol sales
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Government adds off-licences as "essential" businesses
The UK government has added off-licenses to the list of “essential” businesses allowed to stay open during lockdown. This is consistent with clinical advice to protect those who are physically dependent on alcohol from going into dangerous withdrawal. A blog published in the British Medical Journal argues that it’s also “essential” that politicians change the relationship they have with the alcohol industry.
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Online support groups for those with alcohol problems on the rise
Online support groups for those struggling with their drinking are increasing in number. Organisations such as AA and SMART Recovery are ensuring people are still able to get the support they need by setting up online meetings.
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Supporting the most vulnerable drinkers
Through the Blue Light programme Mike Ward works with some of the UK's most vulnerable people, those often called 'change-resistant' drinkers.
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Karl on 'intoxicated masculinity'
In this Sober Spring blog, Karl Williams discusses the pressures men face to drink, the impact that has on mental health, and whether there’s another way.
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