Alcohol Awareness Week 2017

North Somerset Council supports Alcohol Awareness Week 2017 to break stigma around impact of harmful drinking on families

• Harmful drinking is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15-49 year-olds in the UK, and the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages
• Alcohol is estimated to cost the NHS £3.5 billion annually
• While overall levels of consumption are falling, around 2.5 million people drink more than 14 units on their heaviest-drinking days
• Around 200,000 children in England live with an alcohol-dependent adult (1)
• in 2014 there were around 1817 alcohol dependent adults living in North Somerset (2)

North Somerset Council is supporting Alcohol Awareness Week 2017, which will focus this year on encouraging individuals and their families to start a conversation about problematic alcohol misuse. The campaign aims to break the cycle of silence and stigma that is often experienced by families of individuals who regularly drink to excess.

There are currently over 10 million people in England drinking at a level which increases their risk of health harm. Alcohol-related harm is estimated to cost the NHS £3.5 billion annually and the latest data from North Somerset shows that 575 per 100,000 individuals were treated in hospital for illness or injury resulting from alcohol-related harm in 2015/16.  

Among those aged 15 to 49 in England, alcohol is now the leading risk factor for ill-health, early mortality and disability and the fifth leading risk factor for ill health across all age groups (3). In 2016 an estimated 47 per 100,000 alcohol-related deaths occurred in North Somerset.

Ted Sherman, Alcohol lead for North Somerset Council, said:

“Far too many people drink at harmful levels without realising the damage they may be doing. North Somerset Council fully supports Alcohol Concern’s aim to support families who are struggling to cope with the effect of harmful drinking on their loved ones.

“The harm alcohol causes is much wider than just on the individual drinker. Excessive alcohol consumption can harm children, wreck families, impact on workplace colleagues and can be a burden and drain on the NHS and economy. It often hits poor communities the hardest.

“Weston-super-Mare has been awarded a Purple Flag due to it having a vibrant, enjoyable and well-managed town centre. If you are out in the town centre after dark and you need help you can visit the MAVIS bus which can be found in Princess Royal Square on most Saturdays (for details see  https://www.facebook.com/MAVISbusWsM/)”

Support and treatment for problematic alcohol use is available from

Addaction on 01934 427 940 for everyone aged over 18.

The young people’s substance advisory service supports under 18s, call 01275 888 360.