Rotherham boozers urged to rethink their drinking habits

Boozers in Rotherham are being urged to rethink their drink as the town gears up for Alcohol Awareness Week.

The initiative will run throughout next week and is part of NHS Rotherham's bid to encourage people to address their drinking habits.

As well as keeping a weekly drink diary, residents are being encouraged to visit an information shop on Howard Street in the town centre where facts about units and health-related issues will be available.

The unit will be open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and supports the Government's national Know Your Limits campaign.

Mel Howard, drug and alcohol co-ordinator at NHS Rotherham, said: "Alcohol is one of the leading causes of health problems in Rotherham.

"It's so easy to get into a routine of regular drinking which is above the lower-risk guidelines, without realising you might be putting your health at risk. 

"Keeping a drink diary for a week is easy, and can really make you stop and think about whether you should be cutting back."

More than a quarter of the population in England drink above the guidelines for lower risk drinking. Of these, 2.6 million adults regularly drink at higher risk levels.

Drinking above recommended guidelines levels can increase the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, liver disease, stroke and other diseases. It can also impact on general day-to-day health including sleeping patterns.

For more visit www.nhs.uk/units or for young people and parents also visit www.callitanight.co.uk