With the month of January drawing to a close many Three Rivers residents who challenged themselves to abstain from drinking may be looking forward to enjoying their favourite tipple once more.

But a charity is warning that the area may be home to a high number of people drinking to a dangerous extent who do not have sufficient support available when they need it.

Equinox, an organisation with more than 25 years experience in alcohol support, is offering people in Three Rivers the chance to rethink their relationship with alcohol.

Throughout 2013 the organisation will be looking to set up a network of people who would otherwise fall through the cracks of not wanting to use community alcohol schemes but being unable to afford private help.

Experts believe high-stress or demanding jobs may also play a part in leading people to drink to extremes, as well as deterring them from seeking help for fear of prolonged absences from work or family life.

Equinox chief executive, Bill Puddicombe said: "When Equinox looked at the Three Rivers area we found that there are a lot of people who are drinking well above safe levels but do not seem to be getting any support to reduce their high alcohol intake.

"Many of this group will probably be in demanding jobs. While they may appear to be doing fine on the surface, in areas such as work or family relationships, they could have problems long term if they don’t address their drinking now."

The first meeting in the area will take place in Mill End Community Centre in Church Lane on Thursday January 31 between 7pm and 8.30pm.

The charity is looking for speakers from Three Rivers who have drunk to a large extent in the past or have been affected by a friend or loved one doing so, to discuss their experiences.

Equinox will also be distributing fliers in pubs and other businesses and will carry out a leafleting event outside Rickmansworth station.

Equinox Three Rivers project manager, Kathleen Young said: "This really is a first for the Three Rivers area.

"We are setting up a brand new network for people who typically fall between the gaps of existing alcohol services.

"The group we have identified don’t want to access community alcohol teams and they either can’t quite afford private treatment or they don’t feel they can take time out of work or family life for it.

"Whilst there are some existing self-help groups in Three Rivers that are doing a great job, the Equinox project is a first in the sense that it is not a spiritual programme, nor does it require participants to undertake assessments or identify themselves as a problem drinkers.

"What this will be is a network of confidential groups run by like-minded people - not only supporting each other through discussions and shared experiences, but also seeking out healthier activities together."