Have we been drinking more?
The effects of Britons drinking more alcohol during the COVID-19
lockdown could be felt for a generation, some experts have
warned.
Alcohol sales rose by 67% just prior to the lockdown, as many
prepared to drink at home.
The question remained, however – were people stocking up
because they feared shortages?
Or were they actually drinking more?
The research suggests that around 8.6 million UK adults have
drunk alcohol more frequently under lockdown.
Worryingly, nearly one in five (18%) daily drinkers have further
increased the amount of alcohol they have consumed since
lockdown.
Why does it matter?
Habits are formed quickly and can be hard to break.
Alcohol intake - and its management - is particularly important for
well-being and mental health during this pandemic.
And there are also risks beyond the individual.
One in 14 (7%) survey respondents felt that alcohol had worsened
their household tensions since lockdown began.
Unfortunately, whilst alcohol can help us relax and give us a brief
feeling of euphoria, the effects are short-lived and the long-term
negative consequences of over-using alcohol can be harmful.
If you rely on alcohol to manage your mental health issues, that
reliance can itself become a problem.
You may well find that your drinking gets in the way of other
activities and puts a strain on your relationships and your work.
While some will find that cutting down without support is possible,
others will need assistance.
What Can You Do About It?
My Reduce Alcohol hypnosis program will help.
If your drinking has become a habit, it’s worth remembering that
drinking is merely a mental “program” - you have “programmed”
yourself to drink alcohol in just the same way that you have
programmed yourself to ride a bicycle.
And these mental programs can be re-set and re-written.
Hypnosis is an effective approach in dealing with the problems that
excess alcohol can lead to - issues with relationships, weight and
health.
It will identify those areas and aspects of your life that may require
tweaks and modification.
In particular, it will enable you to adapt, change and to look at
alcohol intake in a completely new way.
Hypnosis will help you realise that alcohol is not essential to
relaxation, and is not necessary as a crutch or coping mechanism.
My Reduce Alcohol program will enable you to take back
control, and will lead the way to a fitter, healthier you!
Five strategies that will help whilst on this program:
1. Set your goal to an acceptable amount of alcohol to reduce to. One or two glasses a night. How will you feel when you achieve your goal?
2. Listen to the support recording provided. This will create new neural pathways in your brain regarding your associations and attitudes towards alcohol.
3. Drink slowly and consciously. Savour each mouthful and put your glass down between each sip.
4. You decide on alcohol free nights, set to the same nights each week. There are many non-alcoholic wine/beer/spirit substitutes now available. These give you the option of being able
to still enjoy a drink, without the alcohol, whether at home or out with family and friends. Pentire Drinks Ltd is a Cornish company supplying botanical non-alcoholic spirits, made by distilling unique plants native to the Cornish Coastline. www.pentiredrinks.com
5. Drink plenty of fluids, including 2 litres of water each day.
And NOW - it can all be done from the comfort of your own home,
wherever you are in the world with online sessions.
The Long Term Health Risks of Alcohol
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:
· High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver diseases and digestive problems
· Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver and colon
· Learning and memory problems, including depression and anxiety
· Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems and unemployment
· Alcohol dependence or alcoholism
When Alcohol Becomes a Problem
Many people reach for an alcoholic drink out of habit or as a way to relax at the end of a long day – BUT if any of the following are answered ‘yes’ it may be that alcohol is becoming a problem:
· Drinking getting out of control?
· Drinking too much alcohol?
· Spending too much on alcohol?
· Boredom drinking?
· Stressed and drinking?
· Weight gain from over drinking?
· Alcohol is affecting your relationships?
· Binge drinking?
· Drinking alcohol on your own?
· Thinking that only a few drinks per week is unrealistic?
· Having an overwhelming need for alcohol?
· Waking in the middle of the night due to alcohol?
· Using alcohol to get to sleep?
· Determined on a Monday to drink less this week?
· Feeling hung over and groggy is spoiling your weekends?
· Can’t remember much of the night before?
· Ashamed of you behaviour?
· Offended people whilst you were drunk?
· Aggressive or angry when you drink?
· Your children are unhappy with your alcohol drinking?
· Worried about your long term health?
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