Drink is not the answer to lockdown stress

With in-store sales of alcohol rocketing since lockdown began, the British Liver Trust is urging people to drink responsibly.
Alcohol is not the answer...to the stress many of us are feeling due to the lockdown and fears about coronavirus.Alcohol is not the answer...to the stress many of us are feeling due to the lockdown and fears about coronavirus.
Alcohol is not the answer...to the stress many of us are feeling due to the lockdown and fears about coronavirus.

Data released by the Office of National Statistics revealed that in-store sales of alcohol in March 2020 were 31 per cent higher in terms of volume sales than in March 2019, following the closure of pubs and restaurants.

Vanessa Hebditch, director of policy at the British Liver Trust, said: “We know this is an extremely stressful time for many of us but drinking too much alcohol is not the answer.

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“Many of us drink alcohol to relax, especially when we’re feeling stressed or unhappy, but this habit can be counterproductive.

Alcohol is the leading cause of liver disease in the UK and drinking more than the recommended amount significantly increases your risk of liver damage.

“Drinking too much alcohol can also have a negative effect on the quality of our sleep, on our mood and, of course, our physical health.

“This is a really important time to be looking after ourselves, both mentally and physically.

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“There are lots of other, much healthier ways, to deal with stress, like taking exercise, having a relaxing bath or listening to your favourite music.”

The British Liver Trust recommends that people drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, in line with the government guidelines, and have two to three consecutive alcohol-free days each week.

Up to 70 per cent of A&E attendances at weekends are related to alcohol.

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