Experts from Community Alcohol Liaison Service will be offering free confidential community drop-in sessions throughout Central Beds

How people drink can have a big impact on their personal and working life and the business they work in. Lost productivity and absenteeism because of alcohol cost the economy 14 million working days and up to £6.4billion each year, according to figures from Alcohol Concern.

People do not have to drink alcohol on the job to affect the workplace, drinking at home after work can also impact their work.

Alcohol can cause premature death ot fatal accidents, absence and extra sick leave, tiredness and lack of concentration and loss of production.

Drinking more than you probably should is not just about getting drunk, not being able to drive or having accidents. Alcohol is a depressant and can slow down your brain and body processes. It can increase your stress rather than reduce it, disturb your sleep and make you put on weight as well.

So when you next reach for that glass at the end of a long day, could it possibly be doing more harm than good?

Alcohol Awareness Week begins today, and over the next five days the CALS team will be on hand to provide information, advice and guidance on how to stop or cut down alcohol consumption.

You can talk to someone at the CALS stand at the Central Beds Council offices at Priory House, Chicksands, on Thursday from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors can find try a ‘Mocktail’ and take away some alcohol-alternative ideas. They will also be able to find out more about the confidential and free services that CALS offers in the community, so if they have any concerns about their own situation, they’ll know where to go for a private conversation.

Councillor Carole Hegley, the council’s executive member for social care, health and housing, said: “It is important that we are all aware of all the effects alcohol has on people, especially excessive alcohol consumption.

“CALS offers free, friendly and interactive ways to find out more information about alcohol, its myths and the impact it can have on peoples’ personal and professional lives.

“CALS can also provide one-one-one structured alcohol support in local GP surgeries across Bedfordshire businesses with the opportunity to hold Alcohol Workplace events for staff to access.”

For more about CALS, to find out about holding free workplace events for staff or to book a confidential appointment call 07974 140235.