Latest news with #RichardPiper
Sky News
13-04-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Low-level drinkers have increased cancer and cardiovascular risk, study finds
Low-level drinking can increase your chances of cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. Research conducted by the Behavioural Insights Team, on behalf of the charity Alcohol Change UK, examined the drinking habits of more than 4,000 UK adults. It found that people who consumed alcohol within the NHS guidelines had worse health than non-drinkers. Compared to people who never consumed alcohol, rates of cardiovascular disease increased from 1% to 5%, for cancer it went from 1% to 4%. The study also found "low-risk" drinkers reported reduced sleep quality, worse daily functioning, and poorer dental health, compared to those who have never consumed alcohol. With over 30 million people in the UK drinking at these levels, campaigners are calling for people to rethink their drinking habits. Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: "For decades, we've fallen prey to a binary but false idea that 'drinking problems' only affect a minority of people with alcohol dependence. "But as this research makes clear, alcohol is taking a toll on our health and wellbeing right across the drinking spectrum, even at 'low-risk' levels." The NHS recommends that people should not consume more than six pints of medium-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine a week, but scientists warn that it is the way some people consume those volumes of alcohol which can be problematic for their health. Professor David Nutt, a former government chief drugs adviser, said some view 14 units a week as a target and others binge drink. "There are people who think, 'I've got 14 units, I can have seven drinks on a Friday, seven on a Saturday, that's okay'. "We know that drinking the maximum allowance in one or two goes is very dangerous. That is where the data becomes quite complicated because some of the harms are undoubtedly magnified by binge drinking within that low-risk weekly level." Nathan Eades, 37, runs two high-end pubs in Cheltenham and used to regularly drink large quantities of alcohol but has recently changed his habits. "Being able to cut out alcohol from having five, six pints at the end of a shift to maybe one vodka soda, two vodka sodas a week has really helped benefit us as a business and me as a person," he said. "After you have probably had one too many, how do your family take it? How are your co-workers interacting with you? How are they feeling with your mood swings, brain fog and irrationality? That is the area which we all need to be a bit more mindful of." Alcohol Change UK is calling on the government to introduce health risk labelling on alcohol as well as marketing restrictions so that people have more information about the alcohol they are consuming and are not so regularly being encouraged to buy drinks. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We recognise the need for urgent action to reverse the unacceptable levels of alcohol harm and deaths. "As part of our Plan for Change, we are shifting our focus from sickness to prevention, prioritising early intervention and health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives across the UK."
The Independent
31-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Reset your alcohol habits: 10 steps to a balanced lifestyle post Dry January
As Dry January comes to a close, many of us are reflecting on our relationship with alcohol and considering how to maintain a balanced lifestyle moving forward. Whether you've spent the month abstaining or just cutting back, resetting your alcohol habits can lead to lasting positive changes. Here are 10 steps to help you maintain that momentum and create a healthier, more mindful approach to drinking year-round. 1. Reflect The most important part of the Dry January challenge is the personal insight we can gain about our own relationship with alcohol. 'If you've had a fully alcohol-free 31 days, taking stock of all the benefits you've experienced, the money you've saved, the hobbies and activities you've enjoyed sans-booze, hurdles faced and more importantly, how you overcame them will help you make decisions about if, when and how much alcohol you drink in future,' says Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK. 2. Set a goal Big goals like 'cutting down' are great, but often it's the small changes that make the most impact. 'Your first step could be having an extra drink-free day in the week, only having one drink after dinner, or having soft drinks on a visit to the pub,' suggests Graeme Callander, policy lead at WithYou, a charity that provides support and advice for people struggling with drug, alcohol and mental health issues. 3. Keep a diary Before you start making any drastic changes, it's helpful to know exactly how you usually drink on a weekly basis. 'I suggest keeping a drinks diary to understand what you are drinking, in what quantity, where and when. After a week or two, you'll have a picture of your habits,' advises Callander. 'This will help you understand where to cut down, as well as allowing you to measure your progress.' 4. Buy less at the shops 'It can be tempting to buy in bulk when we're at the shops, but this makes it easy to drink more than you planned,' says Callander. 'For that reason, think about your goals and only buy what you're planning to drink.' 5. Plan non-drinking activities 'If you know you're prone to drinking a lot on the weekend, think about how you can limit that,' says Piper. 'This might be picking up a new hobby, doing activities that don't revolve around alcohol or connecting with others who are trying to cut back to share the experience.' 6. Choose no and low-alternatives 'Alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks can be a fantastic option if you're looking for a way to cut down on your drinking,' says Karen Tyrell, CEO at Drinkaware. 'There's now a wider selection and better tasting options available than ever before.' 7. Download the MyDrinkaware app 'To help support your commitment to reducing your drinking, the MyDrinkaware app can help you set personalised targets, send reminders for drink-free days when you want them, and build a tailored action plan to keep you on track,' says Tyrell. 8. Make your intentions known 'Whether you are taking a break completely, or just having some time off, it's a good idea to tell your family and friends,' recommends Tyrell. 'Frequently reminding yourself and the people close to you why you want to stop or cut back your drinking can help keep you on track, and may even encourage someone else to cut down.' 9. Identify your triggers 'Identify the triggers which make you want to drink,' advises Dr David McLaughlan, consultant psychiatrist and addictions specialist from Priory and co-founder of the Curb Health app. 'Then develop a plan to manage or avoid those triggers.' 10. Have a support network 'You could even make a joint plan with your partner, friends or colleagues,' suggests McLaughlan. 'Last year, Curb undertook a study funded by the government's research and innovation body, InnovateUK. 'We found that when users gave up alcohol in groups or told others that they were giving us alcohol, they experienced an increase in their will power. It was almost as if they were able to selectively harness the power of peer pressure as they didn't want to let others down by drinking.'
