A FORMER alcoholic who turned his life around is urging people to acknowledge the dangers of drinking to excess ahead of the Christmas party season.

National charity Alcohol Concern is running its annual Alcohol Awareness Week through to Sunday, and David Higham – founder of The Well Communities charity in Barrow – is backing the campaign.

READ MORE:

Barrow community champions in running to be Christmas Switch-on Star

The group, which is based in Dalton Road, helps people with alcohol and drug addiction and also supports ex-offenders as they re-enter their communities and show them how to give back to society.

Mr Higham, who has now been teetotal for 11 years, is a big supporter of Alcohol Awareness Week.

He said: "Alcohol is the very worst substance. I remember reading a paper by Imperial College Professor David Nutt, who conducted some research in to the worst types of substances and drugs.

"I expected it to be heroin, just as I am sure many people did, but alcohol was first and I agree with that. Alcohol is the most damaging substance, followed by heroin, cigarettes and crack cocaine.

"Alcohol is one of the biggest killers and also it is the most damaging cost-wise to society. I have seen many cases in Cumbria or people who have suffered with heroin addictions, finally switching to alcohol and that is when the most serious health problems occur.

"These people who switch from heroin to alcohol do so because they are still craving a release from their mental torture, but it is when they begin drinking heavily that we notice a real decline in their health."

Mr Higham, who now runs centres in Barrow, Lancaster and Morecambe, gave up all alcohol and drugs when he was serving time in prison. He found God and turned his life around, which is something that has inspired hundreds to follow his example. The Well Communities follows the eight-step, faith based programme which was pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous.

In January 2016, the guidance around recommended limits of alcohol was updated by the CMO. The new guidance states that the limits for both men and women are the same – which is to not drink more than 14 units a week, and spreading these units evenly over three or more days.

During the festive season, more than any other time of the year, people have the tendency to binge drink. Many of us drink far more than the recommended weekly limit in just one night which leads to a whole host of problems.

TAKE OUR QUIZ:

Numbers of drink-driving cases, violence on the streets and domestic violence at home all increase around Christmas time. 'Black Eye Friday' is one of the busiest night for Cumbria police every year as officers face the antics of violent drunks.

Mr Higham said: "I think it's a common misconception that you can't have fun on a night out without having a drink.

"That's absolutely not true in my opinion, I am teetotal and I am always the first on the dance floor and the last to leave it!

"The danger of alcohol is that it stops you from managing on your emotions and principles, causing people to act out. This is now such a problem at Christmas time that many people are afraid to go out.

"The streets become an ugly place when people drink to excess at Christmas and many are fearful to be out on the streets due to he violence."

The charity behind Alcohol Awareness Week is also encouraging people to join in with its fifth Dry January programme which has seen a great deal of success in recent years.

Mr Higham said: "Dry January is a great way to start cutting down and if you feel like you have a deeper problem with alcohol there is always somebody who will be able to help you.

"I tell people to take each day as it comes, trying to make it through one day at a time without having a drink. We run a total abstinence service and it could be the best thing you ever do."

For more information on Dry January visit: www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/dry-january.

Visit: http://www.thewellcommunities.co.uk to find out more about Mr Higham's inspiring Well Community.

Know your units

The guidelines were changed in 2016 meaning that both men and women have the same recommended alcohol intake of 14 units per week. The government also clarified that these units should be spread out over the week not drank in one evening. Just in case you're still unsure of how many units is in what, here is a quick break down of our favourite drinks:

-1 regular glass of wine: 2.3 units.

-1 pint of strong lager or ale: 3 units

-1 alcopop: 1.4 units

-1 shot of whiskey: 1 unit

-1 pint of lager: 2 units

READ MORE:

Drunken sailor jailed after steering boat to near-disaster at Barrow Port

Alcoholic pleads guilty to stealing bottle of wine from Ulverston garage

Serial vodka thief from Barrow stole supermarket bottles to fund drug habit

Barrow addiction project celebrated for its positive impact