‘Wine o’clock came earlier every day’ - Fears over alcohol epidemic in Sheffield after problem drinking soars in lockdown

Fears are growing that the coronavirus crisis is leading to an epidemic of problem drinking after one Sheffield alcohol clinic reported the numbers of people using their service had tripled during lockdown.
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Earlier this year, the Sheffield Alcohol Support Service (SASS) on Abbeydale Road was seeing around 25 new people every month but is now seeing 75 - a 200 per cent increase - with a lack of routine, increased anxiety, joblessness, boredom and isolation all thought to be causes of the increase.

Manja Wolfram, team leader for the Big Lottery funded recovery service, says it is clear that there are now many more people in Sheffield whose drinking is spiralling out of control.

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“These might be people whose drinking has been an issue for a long time who in a few years time would have reached the same point but because of lockdown they spiralled,” she said.

Stock image (photo: Shutterstock).Stock image (photo: Shutterstock).
Stock image (photo: Shutterstock).

“It might start by developing habits or some psychological triggers like ‘I am stressed’ or 'I had a bad day’ so ‘I am having a drink’. But people can quickly develop from psychological to physical dependency.

“At the higher end, someone can end up needing some form of alcohol in their body at all times just so they don’t experience really heavy withdrawal symptoms. When that happens it can come as a bit of a shock to people.”

These withdrawal symptoms, Manja says, can range from bad hangovers to shakes, sweating and throwing up, but can grow into hallucinations and seizures and in extreme cases can even cause death.

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She said people drinking spirits heavily were obviously high risk, but that some people can end up drinking between three and five bottles of wine a day - the same number of units as an entire bottle of vodka.

Manja Wolfram, team leader for the Sheffield Alcohol Support Service.Manja Wolfram, team leader for the Sheffield Alcohol Support Service.
Manja Wolfram, team leader for the Sheffield Alcohol Support Service.

As well as the disruption to life brought about by the pandemic, other changes such as the ease with which alcohol is now available at home are also having an effect on people’s behaviour, said Manja.

“One of my main worries is the trend over the last few years that you can just ring a number and get alcohol delivered to your house,” she said.

“It means people who are quite isolated and anxious can still access alcohol. I spoke to one young woman who had just had a baby when lockdown happened and that‘s what she did. I have also worked with people who have died in those circumstances.”

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For anyone experiencing problems with drinking, counselling at SASS can begin within a few days and the service also offers access to a peer support community, with some people referred to medical teams for more intensive support.

Problem drinking in Sheffield is said to have tripled during the coronavirus crisis.Problem drinking in Sheffield is said to have tripled during the coronavirus crisis.
Problem drinking in Sheffield is said to have tripled during the coronavirus crisis.

However, while the project does refer some clients for clinical support, others require just a few conversations or slightly longer-term help from a supportive community.

“Talking is a big part of what we do,” said Manja.

“Sometimes it might just be one phone call with someone or it could be weekly check-in calls for a few weeks with someone with lived experience.

“There is research that shows around 50 per cent of people make a change to their drinking without accessing any services and just need a small intervention or conversation.

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“If you acknowledge you have a problem and really want to make a change that is a good starting point. We can work with that.”

To self-refer to SASS, visit www.sheffieldalcoholsupportservice.org.uk or call 0114 258 7553.

Wine o’clock came earlier every day

A woman in her 60s who is now a facilitator at SASS said she could well understand why the coronavirus crisis was producing more problem drinkers.

She said: “It is the isolation, the stresses people are living through, the loneliness and people not knowing if they have a job. It is the easiest thing to pick up a drink and if you are at home all day, wine o’clock just gets earlier and earlier.

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“I used to drink three bottles of wine a day, but I haven’t had a drink now for 12 months. I retired from work after I had been off with stress which meant I was in the house and I could start earlier in the day. It got out of hand and I was in a bad place.

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“Also, older people are drinking more now because they have nothing to fill their time. I am bereaved and there are a lot of people like me living on their own. It can be lonely so you make a friend out of what you are drinking. It creeps up and gets a real hook on you.”

The woman, who did not want to be named, said she initially went to the now-closed Drink Wise Age Well service for older people in Sheffield who wanted to address their drinking, but was persuaded to go to SASS shortly before lockdown started.

She said the service had been a great help to her as had her GP who understood how serious her drinking problems were and helped her get the right support.

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“I know GPs are being criticised at the moment because they are not seeing anyone but mine was really supportive,” she said.

“If I could speak to myself from 18 months ago I would just say reach out to someone for some help. Alcohol is a silent problem. You don’t realise it is getting a grip on you and then suddenly, it’s got you.”

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