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7th – 13th July is Alcohol Awareness Week, but what does that actually mean?
For many of us, especially students, alcohol is often seen as part of social life – a few drinks at the pub, a night out with mates, or a casual pint after lectures.
But while it might feel like harmless fun, Alcohol Awareness Week is here to remind us to pause, reflect, and check in with ourselves and those around us.
This annual campaign, running from 7th to 13th July, is all about raising awareness of alcohol-related harms, encouraging open conversations, and empowering people with knowledge to make informed decisions about drinking.
Whether you’re someone who drinks regularly, occasionally, or not at all – this week is relevant to everyone.
Alcohol Awareness Week is a national campaign led by the charity Alcohol Change UK, designed to open up the conversation around alcohol and its impact on our lives and society.
It brings together communities, organisations, schools, universities, and individuals to shine a light on how alcohol affects physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships, and finances.
Each year, the week has a theme – and this year’s theme is “Understanding Alcohol Harm.” It focuses on the hidden harm that drinking can sometimes cause – from sleep disruption and mood swings to dependency and long-term health problems – and how small changes can make a big difference.
Let’s face it: alcohol is everywhere. And for students, it can feel like a core part of uni culture. But here’s the thing – drinking isn’t always harmless, and it’s easy for it to quietly become something that impacts your life more than you realise.
Here are a few reasons why this awareness week really matters:
Health and Wellbeing: Regular drinking can affect your energy levels, concentration, mental health, and even immune system – all of which are pretty important when juggling studies and life.
Academic Performance: Hangovers might seem like a funny rite of passage, but missing lectures or submitting subpar assignments can stack up fast. Alcohol can affect memory and cognitive performance too.
Mental Health: There’s a strong link between alcohol and anxiety or depression. It might feel like a stress reliever in the short term, but in the long run, it can make things harder to manage.
Social Pressures: Students often drink to fit in. But it’s worth asking – are you drinking because you want to, or because you feel like you have to?
Long-Term Impact: Even though most students don’t plan to drink heavily forever, habits formed at university can sometimes stick around and become harder to break.
You don’t have to give up drinking entirely to take part in Alcohol Awareness Week. It’s more about being mindful, supportive, and aware of how alcohol fits into your life. Here are some ideas:
Alcohol Awareness Week isn’t about making people feel bad for having a drink. It’s about promoting balance, encouraging healthier habits, and creating a space where people feel safe to talk honestly.
It’s also about giving people the tools to make informed choices. Whether that’s choosing to drink less, cutting out alcohol altogether, or simply supporting a friend who’s trying to change their habits – every small step counts.
As students, life is busy, social, and sometimes stressful – and alcohol can often feel like a way to navigate that.
But being aware of its impact doesn’t make you boring – it makes you smart. Alcohol Awareness Week is a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and start conversations that really matter.
So this 7th–13th July, why not challenge yourself and your mates to be a bit more mindful? You might just feel better for it.