Take the Somerset Alcohol Survey today. It takes 5 minutes and is completely anonymous.
Your answers will help improve support across Somerset. As a thank you, you will be entered into a prize draw to win a £25 Love to Shop voucher.
I didn’t think support was for me.
It is a phrase that comes up more often than you might expect.
Not because support was not available, but because it did not feel relevant. It did not feel like something that applied to their situation, their routine, or the way they were managing things.
When it doesn’t feel like it applies to you
For some people, the decision not to seek support is not a clear choice. It is shaped by quieter thoughts that sit in the background.
I’m not that bad.
I’ve got it under control.
It’s just part of my routine.
These are not excuses. They are ways people make sense of where they are, especially when things do not feel clear-cut.
There is often an assumption that support is for something more serious, more visible, or further along. If someone does not see themselves in that picture, it becomes easy to assume it is not meant for them.
So, they carry on, even when there are moments of doubt.
“Maybe later”
Timing plays a part too:
Now isn’t the right time.
I’ll deal with it later.
Life is busy. Work, family and responsibilities take priority. It can feel easier to wait until things calm down. But that moment does not always come, and the question gets pushed further away.
Not knowing what to expect
There can also be uncertainty about what support actually involves:
- What does it look like?
- Will it fit around everyday life?
- Will it feel formal or uncomfortable?
If people do not have a clear picture, or if that picture does not feel right, it becomes another reason to pause.
There can also be hesitation about taking that first step. Not wanting to be judged. Not wanting to make something feel bigger than it is. Not being sure what it means to ask for help.
All of these thoughts are common. And importantly, they are normal.
Why this matters
They are part of the reason many people who could benefit from support do not access it. Not because they do not need it, but because it does not feel like the right fit at the right time.
Across Somerset, we are asking people to share their experiences of alcohol, including those moments where support was not accessed.
You can take part whether you are reflecting on your own experience or thinking about someone you know.
The survey is anonymous and confidential. It takes just a few minutes to complete and is designed to make it easier to share honest reflections without pressure or judgement.
By understanding these experiences, we can shape support that feels more relevant, more accessible and easier to engage with.
Support is not just for one type of person or one type of situation. It is there for a range of experiences, including those uncertain moments where things do not feel clear-cut.
If any part of this feels familiar, even in a small way, that perspective matters.
Take 5 minutes today to complete the survey
