The national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse in Ireland has seen a big jump in the number of people visiting its website this month.

According to Drinkaware, over 37,500 people visited the website between December 1 and 16 this year - a 58% increase when compared to the same period in 2018.

Furthermore, almost 20,000 people used the Drinkaware Drinks Calculator to understand their drinking habits during this period - a 90% increase on 2018's figure.

Meanwhile, 778 people ordered measure cups during this period, which are used to measure out standard drinks in the home. This is a 185% increase on the number of measure cups ordered during the first half of December in 2018.

Research by Drinkaware found that 68% of adults have become "much more aware" of how excessive drinking can affect health and wellbeing, while 44% have already made small positive changes to their drinking habits.

"The year-on-year increase in people visiting the Drinkaware website as the festivities are in full swing, clearly indicates that our cultural complacency about excessive drinking is shifting," commented the charity's CEO, Sheena Horgan.

She pointed out that one in five adults currently binge drink on a weekly basis, which is defined as at least six standard drinks in one sitting. However, just 2% of people are aware of the HSE's low-risk weekly guidelines.

"Yet in December so far, almost 40,000 people have visited our website, 20,000 used our online calculator and 778 ordered our standard drink measure cup. This in itself tells a story that adults in Ireland are willing to change and actively looking for supports to do so," Ms Horgan suggested.

Over the festive season, Drinkaware is encouraging everyone to make themselves aware of the low-risk alcohol guidelines. For men, the HSE recommends a maximum of 17 standard drinks spread out over a week with at least two alcohol-free days. For women, it recommends 11 standard drinks over the same time period.

One standard drink is equivalent to a half pint of 4.5% beer, a 100ml glass of 12.5% wine or 35.5ml pub measure of 40% spirits.

Drinkaware also offers the following tips to people:

-Always use a measure for spirits or wine. Never free pour - this can make it almost impossible to know how much you are drinking. Order a measure cup for free at Drinkaware.ie
-Alternate each drink with a glass of water to reduce the dehydration associated with alcohol. Keep a jug of water handy to make this easier
-Stock up on non-alcoholic options for you and your guests. There is now a wide variety of these products to take advantage of.

"Even during the Christmas party season, which presents more opportunities to drink alcohol than any other time of year, more people than ever are proactively seeking out information, tips and tools to understand their drinking habits and potential harms.

"Drinkaware's message to the general public this Christmas is to plan ahead and join the half a million people who have already visited drinkaware.ie this year to find out how to make changes to positively improve their health and wellbeing over the holidays and into the New Year," Ms Horgan added.

Visit Drinkaware.ie here.