Lincolnshire charity sees increase in numbers wanting support for alcohol issues
It's thought the true scale of problem drinking may be being hugely underestimated
Last updated 6th Feb 2025
A drug and alcohol charity in Lincolnshire is seeing more people coming forward and fears the true scale of the problem may be far worse than is realised.
Research by 'With You' has found sixty eight percent of people will reconsider their drinking habits after dry January.
It's thought there are many people who drink well above the recommended alcohol limit but are not really aware.
We spoke to Leah Briggs who's "We Are With You''s" Lincolnshire Head of Service.
People are probably drinking hazardously and not realising they're drinking hazardously
She told us: "In our services we probably only see the tip of the iceberg and that's something I'm really keen to get the message across."
"People are probably drinking hazardously and not realising they're drinking hazardously."
"Our service isn't just for people who are dependently drinking.
"Of course we're there to support those people but I think alcohol related issues are a massive problem and they're getting bigger."
"I think it's a really useful tool for people to start to address their relationship with alcohol."
"You find a lot of people might find it a lot harder than they thought it would be."
I think the hardest thing is making that first step
"I think that's a bit of a telling sign that somebody needs to think about how much they drink and how often and whether or not they are drinking hazardously and whether they might need a little bit of additional information or support."
"The difference the pandemic made to people drinking at home and the way people drink - the social acceptability of it - the stigma people apply to it becoming a problem is an issue."
"And the stigma that people apply to someone who says - I'm not drinking anymore but we've certainly seen an increased number of people needing our support."
"I think the hardest thing is making that first step."
"Once you have made that first step - some people will go away and say - I think I can do it on my own now - now I've learned that bit of information"
"Or whether you need us to stay by you and work with you for a little bit longer - we're with you for whatever you need."