Squinting through another blinding headache, Adriana Cloud shuddered when she spotted the empty wine bottle on the floor. As she stumbled to her feet she realised she’d passed out on the sofa yet again and was consumed with guilt and shame.
The editorial project manager, 43, from London, knew that in just a few hours she had to appear bright and business-like for an important Zoom call, but her colleagues wouldn’t be able to smell the alcohol on her breath and with her office now in her living room she could conceal her drinking easily.
She explains, “I was knocking back a bottle of wine a night, seven days a week, sometimes even two and my hangovers were getting worse. It’s horrifying to realise I was drinking at least 30 bottles of wine a month. I wanted to stop but every night I fell back into the same old routine.
“With no commute home, I was pouring the first glass of wine earlier and earlier, and staying up later drinking. I went to the shops to buy wine every day, sometimes twice a day.
“I spent hundreds of pounds, running into thousands, on alcohol and all I thought about was drinking – it was ruining my life.”
Sadly Adriana’s story is not unusual. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show deaths from alcohol are now soaring in the UK.
In 2022, there were 10,048 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, the highest number on record. That’s 32.8% higher than the 2019 figure of 7,565.
Experts believe the shocking increase is due to a change in drinking habits following the lockdowns and more people working from home. The blurred lines between work and home life became a massive lockdown issue that continues today.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
To mark the 40th anniversary of Do They Know It's Christmas?, the BBC is airing behind-the-scenes footage of the recording
ALWAYS THE BAD GUY?
After playing evil Joel in Corrie, Calum Lill is treading the boards as a pantomime villain. Oh, yes he is!
BOOST YOUR BRAIN HEALTH
As doctors highlight the importance of early detection in dementia cases, here's how we can help protect ourselves
Jealous cop killed ex-lover's new wife in love triangle murder
DNA evidence from a bite mark on the victim linked an LAPD officer to Sherri Rasmussen's murder
'Every month I would plan my own death due to PMDD'
Shalina Casey, 48, of Hampshire, suffers from the same condition as TV stars Vicky Pattison and Kristina Goodsell. Here, she shares her story
'My dad was the only suspect'
Ahead of a chilling new documentary, Tina Wing's son Daniel speaks to new about finding justice for his mother 32 years after her brutal unsolved murder
Martine praises the pal who hasn't 'picked a side'
After her \"brutal” break-up, Martine McCutcheon enjoys a night out amid fears of losing friends
'Zach and I fell in love completely backwards'
Molly Marsh opens up about life after Love Island, settling down with boyfriend Zach Noble and becoming a pop star
'You should be able to be sensitive'
Professor Green talks feelings, fatherhood and the importance of a good night's sleep
´Coleen won't back out of any challenges'
As Coleen Rooney enters the jungle, good pal Danielle Lloyd tells new how she'll get on