Under the motto "Discover how much more is inside you – with less or no alcohol at all," the Addiction Working Group in the Saarlouis district took part in the nationwide Alcohol Action Week. With various opportunities for interaction, the organizers not only highlighted the risks of alcohol consumption but also made a statement against loneliness and social isolation.
Loneliness and addiction are often closely related and can reinforce each other. Feelings of isolation and a lack of social connection can lead people to turn to alcohol or other substances to cope with stress. At the same time, an addiction can impair existing social contacts and further increase loneliness. Against this background, the idea arose to create spaces for encounters during the campaign week and to bring people into conversation with one another. The organizers see such low-threshold meeting opportunities as an important contribution to health promotion and addiction prevention. "Prevention not only means raising awareness of risks but also strengthening social participation. Shared experiences can help prevent loneliness and promote well-being in the long term," explains Judith Fisch from the Addiction Prevention and Counseling Office of the Saarlouis Health Department.
The kickoff was a game night at the youth office YOU in Saarlouis. In a relaxed atmosphere, participants were able to get to know various board games, play together, and make new contacts. "Our offers invite you to try new ways and consciously and sustainably create community," explains Denise Ferner from the Psychosocial Counseling Center of the Caritas Association Saar-Hochwald e. V.
The following day, hiking enthusiasts met at the wildlife park enclosure in Saarwellingen for a hike of about five kilometers, led by Mr. Werth, the chairman of the Saarwellingen local group of the Saarwald Association. A picnic break at the Schönstatt Chapel provided an opportunity for personal conversations in a relaxed atmosphere. "Encounters arise in nature that build bridges, open new paths in how we interact with each other, and connect people with the goal of walking part of their journey together," emphasizes Katharina Thimm from the Psychosocial Counseling Center (PSB) of the Caritas Association Saar-Hochwald e. V.
The conclusion of the action week was another game night held at the premises of the Caritas Association Saar-Hochwald e. V. in Saarlouis. Together, new games were tried out and well-known classics rediscovered. Some games were provided by the youth center Saarwellingen, while others were brought along by the participants themselves. Kerstin Hoffmann from the department for addiction prevention and counseling highlights the importance of such alcohol-free meeting spaces: “For many people, alcohol is a natural part of everyday life. It is all the more important to create spaces where encounters, exchange, and shared activities focus on being alcohol-free. The action week shows how diverse and enriching a conscious approach to alcohol can be.”
With the events of the Alcohol Action Week 2026, it has been possible to bring people together, promote exchange, and at the same time raise awareness for a conscious approach to alcohol. The positive feedback from participants shows how important it is to have offerings that strengthen community and foster social connectedness.
Due to the positive response, the Working Group on Addiction of the Health Department and Caritas will continue their event series in the fall. The date will be announced in good time.
