Is Booze Your Lockdown Buddy?

Do you find yourself drinking more than normal? If so you’re not alone as lockdown has coincided with a spike in alcohol sales.

If you are worrying that your drinking – or that of a loved one – is starting to get out of control, the team at local alcohol support charity is available to provide advice and support.

Adaption of Service

Mags Mackenzie, CEO of Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol (DACA), said they moved their face-to-face services to telephone and online in the first week of lockdown.

“Our core service is counselling and that adapted to a telephone-based service quite easily.

“Our social groups and diversionary groups we have had to be a bit more creative with and are using social media to keep people connected.

“We have a closed Facebook group which is a space for our clients to come online in a protected space with their own community of interest for the peer-to-peer interaction they’re used to from the social groups. A bit of banter, fun and connectedness.”

Online Activities

They are also organising activity groups through their Steps to Recovery project, dropping off arts and crafts packages and writing materials to individuals in their homes.

Mags added: “People can get involved in these diversionary activities in their homes and still have a sense of being a group and connectedness, so when we eventually come out the other side they will still feel part of the recovery community in DACA.”

They are open to new referrals and Mags urged community partners to keep a close eye out for changes in drinking behaviours amongst people they are supporting.

She added: “Whether it is a community partner, a family member worried about someone or if you are thinking things are changing, give us a call.

“We work with drinkers right across the spectrum, not just people who would identify themselves as having a ‘drink problem.’

“If your drinking is worrying you, if you’re drinking more often or earlier in the day we’re here for a chat. It might just be some light touch advice or you might want to think about entering into a counselling relationship – whatever works for you.”