The day after St. Patrick’s Day is a very humbling day for some. The phrase ‘I’m never drinking again’ can be heard all across the home nations as thousands of us wake up and search for the nearest glass of water and bag of peas to soothe the epic hangover. However, for many people, alcohol consumption on the scale of St. Patrick’s Day is an everyday occurrence and it’s difficult to claw your way back from the grasp of alcohol.
NHS Health Scotland agrees. The latest report from the health institution reveals a number of very worrying statistics. Per-capita alcohol sales in Scotland are now over a fifth higher than in England an Wales, a gap that has widened in recent years. Alcohol-related harm in Scotland has increased enormously since the early 1980s with three times the amount of alcohol-related deaths and four times the amount of hospital submissions. Total annual drink sales in Scotland rose by 11 per cent between 1994 and 2009. There has been a 53 per cent jump in the amount of alcohol sold through off sales.
So, how can we help those who are consumed by the addictive nature of alcohol?
Counselling courses are a good way to reveal the underlying reasons for alcohol addiction. Counselling can help wean the victim from alcohol (or drugs, sex, gambling and any other form of addiction) by searching for the root cause and exposing it to the patient. Counselling, combined with hard policies from government and the realisation of the need for profound and sustained change, can help those who are in desperate need.
Drinks companies are also looking to help curb alcoholism. Heineken, the maker of John Smith’s, Fosters, Strongbow and more, has pledged to look at their brands to see if they can reduce alcohol levels without affecting taste. The company wants to work with the government to make sure that their products are consumed in a responsible manner.
Excessive drinking is too easily excused and many people don’t realise they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. If you feel you have a problem with alcohol, then counselling can help.
