Ep 51: The Hidden Costs of Alcohol - A Police Perspective

Discover the hidden costs of alcohol from a police perspective in this eye-opening episode of The Big Drink Rethink. Join host Anna Donaghey as she explores the profound societal impacts of alcohol consumption with retired Chief Superintendent, Maria Fox. Learn about the staggering statistics, the operational challenges for police, and Maria’s personal journey to transform the drinking culture within the force. Don’t miss this compelling discussion and the insights that could reshape your understanding of alcohol's pervasive influence on society.

Here are the highlights:

00:00 Introduction

05:35 Delayed statements hinder resource allocation and services.

06:26 Deaths in custody are a major concern, as custody staff have a duty of care to individuals who can't monitor themselves.

09:30 Night-time economy impacts crime and resource allocation.

13:31 Alcohol impacts society; everyone bears the personal and economic costs.

18:22 Education and awareness about alcohol needed.

20:49 Investigations delayed by unfit interview scenarios, frustrating.

28:59 Detective bravado, being stressed led to frequent drinking.

32:33 Retired officers face increased post-service drinking.

33:19 Habits form the brain pathways and are difficult to break.

40:35 Used “This Naked Mind” to overcome personal burnout.

46:14 Leaders must lead by example to inspire change.

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Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: Unstuck! community information

To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experiment

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About the host Anna:

Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do.

Connect with Anna:

Website: thebeliefscoach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonaghey

Instagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethink

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

About Maria Fox:

Maria Fox has recently retired from her final role as Chief Superintendent in Derbyshire Constabulary. She began her career in Greater Manchester Police in 1994 after completing a Theology degree at the University of Manchester. She subsequently worked in West Midlands Police and has been a senior leader since 2003. Her policing experience and leadership spans detective, and uniform policing roles at every rank and as a senior leaders she also worked in CTP policing. Maria is also a trained and certified coach with This Naked Mind and took responsibility for the design and delivery of the 30 day Alcohol experiment for policing and now bluelight services. In 2023 she became an author, writing “Crisis to Comeback - a roadmap to health transformation after burnout”, where she shares her story of burnout, including her relationship with alcohol in a courageous and transparent way to encourage others in policing and highly stressful roles to better navigate self-care so that they can improve their own health and wellbeing. After navigating her way out of an increasingly dangerous relationship with alcohol, she certified as a coach with This Naked Mind. In 2022/23 whilst still serving she developed the alcohol experiment initiative for organisations with peer coaches. This has been truly transformational for many and she is driven by the passion to remove the stigma, fear and loneliness that a spiralling relationship with alcohol can bring and provide a safe and effective place for change. She is also a trained fitness instructor and metabolic health coach.

Connect with Maria:

Website: https://www.livewellandfree.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livewelland_free/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MariaFoxWellness

Buy Maria's book: 'Crisis to Comeback: A roadmap to health transformation after burnout' https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crisis-Comeback-roadmap-transformation-burnout/dp/1739387716?dplnkId=d1d4136e-6d3c-4b6c-870a-fa461c56e9b2&nodl=1