A survey carried out on behalf of Drinkaware shows 75% of Irish adults agree they have become much more aware of how excessive drinking affects their health and wellbeing citing physical health and fitness goals as the top reasons to reduce alcohol consumption. From January to July 2018, our Drinks Calculator has helped over 100,000 people to track their alcohol intake and see its true cost in calories, sugar, standard drinks and amount spent.
Ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend, Drinkaware have some small changes people can make if they are drinking alcohol, especially at home:
- Alternate each drink with a glass of water to reduce the dehydration associated with alcohol. Keep a jug of water on the table to make this easier.
- Always use a standard drink measure: never free-pour spirits or wine. Order one for free now
- Never top up your wine glass – always finish one glass before refilling.
- Take advantage of the increasingly available lower or no-alcohol beer or wine and swap out your usual drink.
- Stay out of rounds – you may end up drinking far more than you intended.
- Avoid swimming and be vigilant around open water. Irish Water Safety state that almost 30% of drowned victims will have consumed alcohol.
Drinkaware Interim CEO, Miriam Taber said:
“We are encouraged to an increase in the number of people who have become much more aware of how excessive drinking affects their health and wellbeing, compared to last year. Bank holiday weekends are a prime time for alcohol misuse and for binge drinking episodes but we are asking to be proactive, drink less and reduce unnecessary risks to their health and overall wellbeing. We encourage people to follow the HSE low-risk guidelines, which recommends at least two alcohol-free days per week. Our research clearly shows that more education is needed to help people to identify and understand theese guidelines. Without this information, people may be regularly drinking at a level which could put their health at significant risk but simple tools like our Drinks Calculator offer a quick and easy way for people to access this information.”
While Drinkaware welcome the positive changes and attitudes towards excessive drinking, the research shows worrying trends in relation to alcohol. 1000 Irish adults aged 18 and over were interviewed as part of a recent Behaviour and Attitudes survey on behalf of Drinkaware, and research revealed:
- 70% believe drinking to excess is part of Irish culture
- 43% believe drinking to excess is ‘no big deal’
- 75% of Irish adults aged 18 years+ indicate they have become much more aware of how excessive drinking affects their health and wellbeing
- When asked where they get information about alcohol, 40% of Irish people named Drinkaware as the number one trusted source of information – without prompt.