🌿 Alcohol Awareness Week: Understanding Alcohol & Supporting Recovery Holistically
- Tanya
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
It’s Alcohol Awareness Week, a time to shine a light on how alcohol affects our lives — physically, emotionally, socially, and even professionally.
Whether you’re reflecting on your own relationship with alcohol or supporting someone else, awareness is the first step toward healthier choices. And sometimes, complementary therapies like reflexology and Reiki can offer gentle, effective support along the way.
💡 Ever Wondered How Alcohol Really Affects Your Body and Mind?
Here are 7 things you might not know:
🧪 1. What’s a unit?
A unit of alcohol = 10ml of pure alcohol. A medium glass of wine or a pint of beer is roughly 2.3 units.
🚫 2. How much is too much?
The recommended limit is 14 units per week, spread over a few days. That’s about 6 pints of beer or glasses of wine — not all at once!
⏳ 3. How long does alcohol stay in your system?
It takes roughly 1 hour to process 1 unit of alcohol. So yes, you might still be over the limit the morning after!
😴 4. Does alcohol help you sleep?
Not quite. It might help you fall asleep faster, but it disrupts REM sleep, leaving you feeling groggy, anxious, and low on energy.
🍕 5. Is alcohol fattening?
Absolutely. 🍺 A pint of beer = a slice of pizza. 🍷 A large glass of wine = an ice cream cone. And the calories? Empty — with no nutrients.
⚠️ 6. Short-term effects:
Nausea
Poor coordination
Dehydration
Disrupted heart rhythm
Risk of hypothermia
🧬 7. Long-term risks:
Liver disease
Certain cancers
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Depression and anxiety
Even skin conditions
Top Tip: Try a few alcohol-free days each week. Apps like Drinkaware can help track your intake, set goals, and support a more mindful relationship with alcohol.
🧠 Alcohol and Work: Time for a Conversation
This years theme for Alcohol Awareness week is 'Alcohol and Work'. From after-work drinks to networking events, alcohol often plays a starring role in professional settings. But what happens when drinking becomes a coping strategy or social pressure?
We might hear:
“Tough day? You need a drink.”“You’re not drinking tonight?”“Just one won’t hurt…”
But here’s the truth: Alcohol doesn’t ease work stress — it can make it worse. It may affect your sleep, performance, and mood, and in time, even your relationships at work and home.
Big life transitions — like job changes, parental leave, unemployment, or retirement — can also increase the risk of turning to alcohol to fill emotional gaps.
This week, let’s open up the conversation:
✅ Recognise the signs in ourselves and those around us
✅ Share healthier coping strategies
✅ Create inclusive spaces that don’t revolve around alcohol
Because when people feel respected, safe, and supported — with or without a drink in hand — everyone benefits.
🌿 Reflexology as a Supportive Therapy in Recovery
As a complementary therapist, I’ve seen how reflexology can support people in recovery or those seeking healthier habits.
Here’s how it may help:
💜 Encourages relaxation and lowers stress levels
💜 Supports emotional balance
💜 Promotes better sleep quality
💜 Stimulates the body’s natural detox pathways
💜 Helps ease withdrawal symptoms (like headaches or restlessness)
💜 Rebuilds a sense of connection and self-awareness through gentle touch
Reflexology isn’t a cure for addiction — but it can be a nurturing part of a broader healing journey.
🤝 You’re Not Alone
Whether you're cutting back, in recovery, or simply being more mindful, know that support is out there — and you're never alone.
💜 If you’d like to explore how reflexology could support your well-being during this time, feel free to get in touch.
May your day be everything you need it to be, Tanya x
💻 More info & resources:
