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Alcohol Awareness Week: Isle Of Wight Referrals On The Rise

Alcohol Awareness Week 2020

Since the start of the pandemic more Islanders have sought help with alcohol addiction, according to charity Inclusion.

The substance and alcohol abuse charity says it has seen a rise in the number of referrals for Islanders seeking help since the first national lockdown.

The news comes as the Isle of Wight joins the rest of the UK to mark Alcohol Awareness Week (November 16-20).

Volunteers at Inclusion say the first step for Islanders is to reach out to their dedicated team of around 30 experts - who can offer a range of support from one to one advice over the phone to personalised recovery plans.

Research by Alcohol Change UK found 38% of people drank twice a week or more during the first lockdown.

One in five current and former drinkers also admitted to drinking more often, with just one in ten drinking less frequently.

‘We have seen a lot of this through COVID’

Volunteer Co-ordinator Tony Burkitt told Isle of Wight Radio:

‘Alcohol is actually a depressant - people tend to think that if they have a drink it makes things better but actually what you are doing is taking a depressant which might give you a short burst of feeling better but on the tail end of that you’re going to feel a heck of a lot worse and feel low. 

‘Ultimately you can get yourself into a cycle where you can actually become dependent. We have seen a lot of this through COVID with people who have been on furlough and maybe on that threshold of struggling quite a lot and extra time on their hands, which has made them realise they are getting into trouble with drinking.’

Help available:

  • Medical detoxes within the community
  • Medical detoxes on the mainland
  • Group therapy sessions
  • Social interventions
  • 12 step recovery plan
  • Family support 
  • Young persons support

‘Call us’

Tony added: 

‘If anybody feels they have a problem with alcohol, be it drinking once a week or whether they find that when they stop they become really unwell - the advice would be to call our service - which would be the best place to start.

‘Whatever your goals are with your drinking - we can support.’

You can call the team on 01983 526654

You can also contact the team via Facebook here.

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