Samaritans warn against drink dangers

The Samaritans have asked people not to bottle up their emotions over the holidays and warned against the danger of turning to drink for refuge.

Spokesman Paul O'Hare said their phone lines are in operation and there is always someone at the end of the line if people need to talk.

"Christmas time is one of the times of the year where extra stress and depression can come on top of you. We know that it's a very pressured time for many people for all sorts of different reasons and one thing that we'd be very keen that people should not do over Christmas is bottle it up".

He said that at this time of year it is all too easy to turn to drink when we feel we have a problem, and urged people affected by this to get in touch with the Samaritans.

"We all know that alcohol plays a role in most of our Christmas festivities and indeed a lot of alcohol can play a role. We speak to people who have problems with that, and their families and loved ones as well. So I suppose it's a question of everything in moderation, but at the same time the Samaritans will always speak to everybody"