Local carer support charity VOCAL is raising awareness of ‘That’s Life!’ – a project funded by the Scotch Whisky Action Fund – during Alcohol Awareness Week 2016 (14-22 November).
Caring for a family member, partner or friend, or losing someone we love, can take a toll on carers’ own health and wellbeing. Some carers use alcohol as a way to relax, ease emotional stress or as a way to meet people socially without fully appreciating the health risks associated with regular intake of alcohol. And with the festive season fast approaching, it is all too easy to ignore unhealthy habits!
VOCAL carer support worker Rachael Honeyman (above) is heading the project. She works individually with carers to identify triggers for drinking such as boredom, stress or loneliness and encourages them to engage with local activities, rekindle old interests and to explore positive ways to look after themselves, meet new people and deal with the demands of being a carer.
Rachael said: “Life brings a lot of challenges, but there is more to life and it’s worth exploring.
“Many carers are not aware of the long-term health risks of excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking too much increases our risk of developing a number of conditions including several cancers, diabetes, dementia and mental health problems. It can also increase the risk of accidents and fires in the home which can put carers, their families and the person they care for at risk.
“VOCAL wants to help carers face up to the risks of harmful drinking and talk about it openly. We hope That’s Life! will help carers and former carers feel more confident in themselves, become more active and get more out of life.”
Chris (51) is an Edinburgh carer who has benefitted from the That’s Life! project. “Becoming a carer is something that crept up on me,” he said. “And with the pressures that come with being a carer, something else crept up on me as well – my increasing reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism.
“Working with Rachael as part of the That’s Life! programme has helped me start to look at the impact of drinking on my health and well-being and take steps towards finding other, more positive ways of looking after myself while dealing with stresses of caring for a parent with dementia.”
Andrea (58) is another carer who has successfully cut down on alcohol after receiving support from VOCAL: ““That’s Life! helped me realise that having a drink every night was more of a habit, and I would like to say Rachael gave me the support and determination to try and have a few drink free nights,” she said. “I am still doing this and feel great about it – she gave me the nudge I needed to make the changes I wanted to make!”
To get in touch with VOCAL, find out more about the That’s Life! project and start getting more out of life, carers can call 0131 622 6666, email centre@vocal.org.uk or visit the VOCAL website (www.vocal.org.uk).
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