Drinkaware warns alcohol risks 'don't disappear the next morning'

Eva Osborne

Drinkaware is warning the public, ahead of the bank holiday weekend, that the risks of drinking alcohol do not disappear the next morning after drinking the night before.

The group is urging people to think about their drinking this weekend, and its chief executive, Dearbhla O’Brien, said people should plan ahead if they know they have to drive.

Speaking on Newstalk, she said: "Obviously, never drink and drive, even small amounts of alcohol affect your ability to drive.

"And the risks don't disappear the next morning, so it's really important that people are very cognizant of how much they've had to drink.

"If they're planning on driving the next day, to know at what time they stopped, and to plan accordingly."

According to Drinkaware, over a third of people would like to drink less alcohol.

Research from the group shows a similar number have already made small changes to cut down their drinking in the past month, while over 60 per cent are comfortable choosing low or no-alcohol options on a night out.

This is because people are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact alcohol has on health and wellbeing, Drinkaware said.

O'Brien said it is obvious more people are embracing low or zero alcohol options.

"Our Drinkaware Barometer 24 found that 37 per cent of adults say they'd like to drink alcohol less often, and the same proportion have already made small changes to reduce their drinking in the past 30 days.

"Almost half of adults are open to a sober night out. That shows a real shift in attitudes and a growing awareness of the impact alcohol can have on."