Alcohol Awareness Week 2024
This year's Alcohol Awareness Week theme, 'Understanding Alcohol Harm', aims to shine a light on the impact of alcohol on individual health and society. The campaign also highlights local data on alcohol consumption behaviours and related harms in Surrey. As we engage in this week of awareness and action, it's crucial to understand how alcohol affects our communities and what steps we can take to mitigate its harmful effects.
Alcohol often plays a significant role in our social lives, featuring prominently in celebrations, sporting and music events, adverts, tv and film. This normalisation can sometimes obscure the significant harm alcohol can inflict on individuals and communities.
During Alcohol Awareness Week 2024, we want to spark conversations across Surrey about the role alcohol plays in our society and its effects on families, communities and health services. By raising awareness and understanding the impacts of alcohol, we can work together to reduce its harmful effects and promote healthier communities.
The impact of alcohol in Surrey
Alcohol is harming our health and wellbeing on a daily basis. Many people experience long-term health problems or lose their lives due to alcohol-related conditions. In Surrey, approximately 200,000 adults consume alcohol above the recommended 14 units per week, increasing their risk of long-term health problems. An estimated 8,300 adults in Surrey are alcohol dependent.
The financial burden of alcohol-related hospital admissions is significant, costing Surrey health services an estimated £44 million annually. In 2022, 369 people in Surrey died from alcohol-related conditions, with 105 deaths directly attributed to alcohol. Alcohol is the main risk factor for over 60 health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases and 6 types of cancers, including breast cancer.
Alcohol and social harms
The social implications of alcohol misuse are concerning. Alcohol is a factor in 42% of violent incidents reported in Surrey. Additionally, 30% of domestic abuse perpetrators in Surrey have problematic alcohol use.
The dangers extend to our roads as well, with 149 drink-driving collisions in 2022 resulting in three fatalities and 53 serious injuries. Young drivers, particularly those aged 20-29, are at the highest risk.
Alcohol misuse also impacts young people. According to latest health-related behaviour survey, 13% of secondary school students in Surrey reported drinking alcohol in the week preceding the survey.
Visit the Healthy Surrey drugs and alcohol webpage for information about support services in Surrey if you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol.