Providing the Drinking Check in pharmacies is a step towards normalising the regular checking of drinking habits, says Drinkaware CEO Karen Tyrell
Supermarket giant Morrisons has partnered with the leading alcohol-harm charity Drinkaware to introduce free Drinking Check across all 117 of its in-store pharmacies in the UK.
The Drinking Check is a quick, three-minute online quiz that provides a personalised drinking score, helping individuals understand the impact of their drinking habits on their health. It also offers tailored advice and support for those who want to reduce their alcohol consumption.
Pharmacists at Morrisons will use this tool to assess customers' drinking habits.
Drinkaware considers this partnership timely, as their online survey found that more than half of drinkers plan to cut down their alcohol consumption in 2025.
The same survey, published by the charity in December, also revealed that nearly two-thirds of UK drinkers intend to drink more alcohol during Christmas than they typically would at other times of the year.
As part of this partnership, Drinkaware will provide bespoke training to pharmacists on how to use the tool effectively.
Additionally, posters and leaflets will be distributed across all participating pharmacies to encourage customers to assess their drinking habits.
John Parry, head of pharmacy & popular services at Morrisons, expressed that the partnership with Drinkaware will benefit many of their customers who are looking for ways to make healthier choices.
Karen Tyrell, CEO of Drinkaware, noted that a significant 82 per cent of adults are unaware of the Chief Medical Officer’s drinking guidelines, which recommend a maximum of 14 units of alcohol per week.
“So, it’s crucial we reach as many people as possible,” she emphasised.
Tyrell stated that providing the Drinking Check in pharmacies is “a step towards normalising the regular checking of drinking habits.”
Shel highlighted the importance of regular alcohol checks, akin to routine health screenings like blood pressure or cholesterol checks.
“Now more than ever, it’s important to empower individuals to make informed decisions when it comes to drinking. Partnerships like this help us do exactly that,” she added.
The charity explained that their Drinking Check is based on the internationally recognised World Health Organisation (WHO) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) that is used by medical professionals across the world to check the risk of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol dependence.
Graeme Duncan 
