Last month, we saw the return of Alcohol Awareness Week, which took place from 1st-7th July.
Alcohol misuse is one of the biggest risk factors for death, ill-health and disability among 15-49 year-olds in the UK, and costs the NHS an estimated £3.5 billion every year in England alone.
In England there are an estimated 602,391 dependent drinkers with only 18% receiving treatment. Data shows that in 2020 there were 8,974 alcohol-specific deaths. This is a 18.6% increase in deaths from 2019.
A report from Alcohol Change UK states that over two-thirds of local authorities have cut their funding for alcohol support services, some by more than 50%, over the last few years.
Change doesn’t just happen overnight. Our Level 2 Award in Understanding Alcohol Misuse recognises that multiple factors influence attitudes and behaviours towards alcohol and looks at how change can be influenced and supported.
To highlight the importance of supporting alcohol misuse prevention and reduction, we spoke to one of our Centres, Inspire Ignite, who facilitate this training, on the experience their learners had undertaking this training.
“We deliver this qualification face to face due to the nature of the discussions held during the course – some conversations can be ‘triggering’ and as facilitators we like to be able to gauge the impact of discussion with each individual […]
For example, one of our recent learners supported their daughter through alcohol recovery and now better understands how painful and difficult it must have been for her daughter to detox.”
We also asked our learners what they think they will do differently as a result of attending the training. Here’s what they had to say:
- “The training was very useful for not only understanding alcohol misuse but the integration of an attendee from a local alcohol service, helped me know how to apply the knowledge. I can signpost to local services.”
- “I found the training valuable and have learnt what not to say to someone who may have a drinking problem.”
- “I now feel able to have more open conversations with people, and be more direct about the dangers that come with alcohol misuse.”
If you’re interested in learning more about alcohol misuse and how to support change, take a look at our Level 2 in Understanding Alcohol Misuse qualification, or browse all our qualifications here.
