East Lancashire experts warn as alcohol abuse hits festive peak

3:00pm Friday 30th November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Simone Yates

East Lancashire experts warn as alcohol abuse hits festive peak East Lancashire experts warn as alcohol abuse hits festive peak

EAST Lancashire health experts have warned Christmas party-goers over the dangers of alcohol.

They have also revealed that December and January are the busiest months of the year for alcohol-related hospital admissions.

And local BMI Hospitals addiction counsellor, Joy Richard, said the number of alcoholics seeking help increases at this time.

She said: “For those who may have a hidden drinking habit, Christmas is often a time when this becomes more apparent.

“This is because daily factors which may normally prevent a person from drinking, such as needing to go to work and drive a car, are taken out of the equation.

“Everyone’s off work, there are parties to attend and it’s acceptable to drink during the day. Also the drinks we enjoy over Christmas are usually stronger, and we have more spirits.

“Most people drink more over Christmas, but alarm bells should ring if someone seems to drink a lot more and get drunk very quickly.”

Alcohol affects almost all organs in the body.

There are more than sixty different disorders associated with alcohol use, including coronary heart disease; stroke; liver disease; stomach and pancreas disorders; depression; anxiety; sexual difficulties; muscle and heart muscle disease; high blood pressure and obesity – as alcohol has many calories.

Dr Rineke Schram, medical director at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Festive get-togethers with friends and family mean many of us will be enjoying a drink or two.

“It is estimated that more than 70 per cent of admissions to our emergency department are alcohol-related, either in terms of patients who have been injured or suffered alcohol poisoning after binge-drinking, or those with symptoms of drink-related chronic illness.”

Safe limits for alcohol consumption are 14 units for a woman and 21 for a man over a week – but not if consumed over the course of one night.

Comments (4)

7:19pm Fri 30 Nov 12

allan1957 says...

Bah Humbug
Bah Humbug allan1957

7:48pm Fri 30 Nov 12

Sajdin says...

Ban Alcohol.
Ban Alcohol. Sajdin

9:51am Mon 3 Dec 12

lwg76 says...

More than 70% of admissions over a short period are alcohol related. SO WHAT,

More than 50% of the Finance of the NHS is Alcohol and Tobacco Related ALL THE TIME. Shame on the NHS and the tax man for profiting from activities they disapprove of.
More than 70% of admissions over a short period are alcohol related. SO WHAT, More than 50% of the Finance of the NHS is Alcohol and Tobacco Related ALL THE TIME. Shame on the NHS and the tax man for profiting from activities they disapprove of. lwg76

7:39pm Mon 3 Dec 12

jack daniels says...

Sajdin wrote:
Ban Alcohol.
How can we take seriously anyone who has been brain washed religion from an early age? You can't put forward a credible argument because your opinion is simply based on what you have been told.
[quote][p][bold]Sajdin[/bold] wrote: Ban Alcohol.[/p][/quote]How can we take seriously anyone who has been brain washed religion from an early age? You can't put forward a credible argument because your opinion is simply based on what you have been told. jack daniels

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