Even wowsers' strength would have been tested during the past 17 months punctuated with lockdowns and restrictions as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic.

But it appears as though the pandemic has indeed driven south-west Victorians to turn to alcohol during these troubled times.

Warrnambool's Western Region Alcohol and Drug centre this week revealed alcohol had always made up the majority of presentations but now it had risen with half its clients seeking help for booze concerns.

Operations manager Mark Powell said anxiety and depression, particularly stress about employment, had fuelled alcohol issues during the pandemic.

The truth is though that alcohol consumption and risky behaviour like binge drinking are entrenched in our culture.

We are all guilty of raising a glass when someone turns 18, a rite of passage. And there's nothing wrong with drinking in moderation but as we know or have seen, the line between moderation and excess can often be blurred.

Police know it only too well. They see it far too regularly. They recently said alcohol-fuelled violence was on the rise across the south-west with a frightening injury toll.

Drowning sorrows doesn't solve problems. One Warrnambool man shared his story of addiction where a nightly bottle of scotch took him to the point of no return. He piled on weight, suffered cancer and almost died.

But he stared down his demons and with support from family, friends and experts he is living proof there's more to life than the next drink. He is courageous for telling his story, a journey which could save the lives of others.

His success underlines the need for an alcohol and drug residential rehab centre in the region. Demand is rising. State health officials continue discussions with WRAD about funding The Lookout, its proposed residential rehab centre at Dennington.

Treatment is one cure but prevention through education and cultural change is another.