NOW the trees are up, and the Christmas jumpers are making an appearance, festive tipples have started to flow.

While we want you to have a Merry Christmas, we also want you to stay safe and healthy during this year’s festivities.

With over 300,000 Essex residents drinking at hazardous or harmful levels and almost four per cent of the county alcohol dependent, the Public Health team at Essex County Council are urging residents to think before they drink this Christmas.

Cabinet Member for Health, Cllr Graham Butland, said: “Christmas is a special time spent with loved ones and the best gift that we can give them and ourselves is many healthy years together. With this in mind, be aware of the risks and the negative effects of alcohol so that you are able make the most of the holiday.”

If you are waking up after another Christmas party with a hangover and are worried about your dinking, take a look at our online tool, Don’t bottle it up (DBIU).

DBIU is an innovative alcohol screening, advice, intervention and referral website, leading the field of online alcohol interventions in the UK.

It enables people find out whether their drinking is risky, make a personalised plan to reduce their drinking, and find local support options.

Ben Hughes, Head of Commissioning for Public Health & Wellbeing, said: “Alcohol misuse has a real impact on the lives of all those suffering as well as their friends and family. We want those who may be suffering this Christmas to know that they are not alone, and there are many support services available in Essex that can help, one of which is the Don’t Bottle it up tool.”

For tips to help you cut down on your alcohol intake, head to: https://dontbottleitup.org.uk/worried-about-alcohol/tips-for-cutting-down

To take the alcohol test and for more information, please visit: https://dontbottleitup.org.uk/

We are also supporting Essex Police’s Christmas dink & drug drive campaign, more info can be found here: https://www.essex.police.uk/news/news-and-features/2016/12dec/christmas-anti-drink-and-drug-driving-campaign/