A support group for those affected by another person's drinking was set-up last month at a new venue in Ealing.

Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire is there for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else's drinking.

The Al-Anon confidential support group meets on a weekly basis and will run face-to-face sessions, as well as online meetings (subject to Covid), throughout the festive period.

An Al-Anon member, who will remain anonymous, told Nub News that Christmas can be a particularly difficult period when someone close to you struggles with alcohol consumption or drug addiction.

The member said: "Christmas is a hard time. There's alcohol everywhere tempting your loved one.

"As a family or friend of an alcoholic, you feel anxious in case they pick up that drink and the consequences that may happen after because of this action that is beyond your control.

"Al-Anon is a safe place for you to share with others going through similar or same situations as you.

"You can be open and confident that your anonymity is held within the walls of the room. It's a safe place to catch your breath.

"People don't really want to talk openly about alcoholism with family and friends due to a stigma of shame and embarrassment. However, by not doing so, your emotions can affect you mentally as well as physically.

"Al-Anon Ealing is a small intimate group as we have just restarted. It's a confidential share space, there are no judgemental opinions given, it's not people telling you what to do, and there are people going through similar experiences, whether it's a child or partner."

In 2020, there were 8,974 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, an 18.6% increase compared with 2019, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics.

This was the highest year-on-year increase since the data time series began in 2001.

Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire is there for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else's drinking, with more than 700 groups throughout the UK and Eire.

The Ealing group meets on Monday's from 8pm to 9pm at Ealing Green Church, which is wheelchair accessible.

Al-Anon meetings are free to attend and they will be open throughout the Christmas period.

The meetings are at Ealing Green Church at The Green, Ealing, London, W5 5QT.

Find out more, Here.