Laurence Dollimore
THE festive period is here again, with a full diary of Christmas events and office parties.
The time of year when you can let your hair down and speak freely and simply blame the alcohol.
But do we actually take a moment to think of the bigger picture and really understand the risks and damaging affect this period can have on your health and well being?
Do we support friend and work collegues who may struggle at this festival period? Ask yourself would you wish any of the below on to anyone?
Alcohol-related hospital admissions can skyrocket over Christmas, when excessive drinking costs health services in the western world millions.
In the UK alone, an estimated 1.8 million married couples and cohabiting partners will consider splitting up, with drunk-fuelled rows often finally bringing things to a head.
An average of 30,000 people die each year from alcohol misuse-related illnesses and incidents, with many of these fatalities occurring between mid-December and early January.
Interestingly, 3.18pm on Christmas Day is the specific time when the majority of family drink-driven arguments start behind the front doors of Britain over the festive period, which proves that alcohol-related incidents are not solely night-time events!
Extreme alcohol consumption (and related behaviour) makes Christmas a time when domestic abuse peaks; this can be both physical and emotional abuse committed by both sexes.
According to the Association of Chief Police Officers, drink- (and drug-) driving arrests over Christmas and New Year in 2017 amounted to over 7000 across England alone. That is 7000+ potentially deadly law-breaking acts in about a fortnight.
That last statistic is particularly alarming, isn’t it? With the celebrations seeming to start earlier and earlier each year, police forces everywhere are now forced to launch and enforce month-long drink-driving monitoring campaigns (which often extend into early January, when New Year revelry can sometimes last an entire week).
Maybe make this Christmas one to remember and celebrate it responsibly with your loved ones.
And always think of the people who might be struggling and offer them support. Maybe give them the gift of recovery and support them to begin their journey.
If you feel that you, a friend or loved one are affected by any of these issues please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.
The Villa Paradiso team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week including over the festive period. Call our helpline on freephone number 0808 1646848 or +34 689 806769.
Email info@villaparadisospain.com
All calls and emails are completely confidential.
