Alcohol and Substance Use

Did you know that men and women are advised not to drink regulary drink more than 14 units per week.  By reducing your alcohol intake to less than 14 units a week, this is considered low-risk drinking. It's called "low risk" rather than "safe" because there is no safe drinking level.

Benefits of Cutting Down

There are so many benefits to reducing your alcohol consumption, some you may expect and others that may be a welcome surprise. Not only is it good for your general health, improving your appearance and how you feel, drinking less will have a positive impact on other aspects of your life including your relationships and work.

Substance Misuse 

Substance misuse refers to the use of psychoactive substances in a way that is harmful or hazardous to health. This includes alcohol and illicit drugs. The use of such substances can lead to dependency where problems develop, these problems can be: cognitive, behavioural and physiological.

Early access to appropriate information can support people to deal with issues around substance misuse effectively and reduce/stop the harm.

Illicit drugs

Estimates show that around 1 in 11 16 to 59 years olds in England and Wales have used an illicit drug in the last year, with 1 in 3 using at some point during their lifetime.

Although the number of people with serious drug problems is relatively small, illicit drug use can have a big impact on individuals, their families and the wider community. Heroin and crack are the drugs that pose the biggest risk of harm to individuals and society.

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

Do you mind if I ask you a question about alcohol?

  • This question may be promoted from some verbal or visual prompts i.e. the person has stated that they have a hangover or there is evidence of drinking in the home etc

How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

  • If the answer given indicates around 4 or more times a week you may wish to consider asking how many drinks do they have on each of these occasions, explain that unit measures can be quite confusing and offer to explain a simple unit measurement guide.
  • The principle behind understanding units and applying these to the guideline is important. Essentially, the greater the dose consumed, the greater the chance of unwanted effects.

This is one unit...

The Chief Medical Officers (CMO) guideline for both men and women states that:

  • To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis 
  • If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it's best to spread your drinking evenly over three or more days 
  • If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to help achieve this is to have several drink-free days a week. 

Healthcare professionals are advised to use the questions within the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT C)

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT C) 

Did you know that the NHS is there to care for people that that may be be harmed by alcohol or drug dependency, addiction or misuse in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem, would you like some information on this?

Do you mind if I ask you a question about drugs?

Having a conversation about drugs can be challenging but meaningful, especially if your goal is to offer support and guidance. 

You can help someone by listening to what they're going through, and helping them decide what their next steps should be. Let them know you’re there to help, and you’re not judging or blaming them.

This might include encouraging them to seek help for the first time

  • Reassure them that it is OK to seek help.
  • Help them find out what services are available locally, see Assist

Assist

Alcohol

State some of many benefits to reducing alcohol intake

  • Save Money 
  • Improved relationships
  • Reduce calorie intake/lose weight
  • Improved fertility if you are trying for a baby
  • Improved sleep
  • Reduced risk of injury
  • Fewer hangovers
  • More alert and higher performing at work
  • Reduced risk of high blood presure
  • Reduced risk of cancer
  • Reduced risk of liver disease

Drugs

Did you know that you can talk to your GP confidently about drugs but If you're not comfortable talking to a GP, you can approach your local drug treatment service yourself. 

Would you some more information on your local service? 

  • Full details can be found in the Act section 

Young people aged 11-21 

Have you heard of the FRANK website and service?

FRANK is free, and operated by fully trained advisers. In particular FRANK aims to give young people the skills and confidence needed to reject drugs and offer parents the information they need to bring up the topic with their children. Advice can be accessed through the FRANK helpline.  Would you like some further information on this?

Act

NATIONAL SUPPORT - ALCOHOL

Do you think you would benefit from some further support to reduce your drinking to 'lower risk' levels?

  • Speak to your GP, a loved one or call Drinkline 0300 1231110 (Mon-Fri 9am - 8pm, weekends 11am - 4pm). The Drinkline service provides free, confidential, accurate and consistent information and advice to callers who are concerned about their own or someone else`s drinking regardless of the caller`s age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity or spirituality
  • Cutting back on the booze can be a really effective way to improve your health, boost your energy, lose weight and save money.  Any reduction in the amount you drink every week will be beneficial – and with the right help, it's easier than you think. Download the 'Drink Free Days' app to update and track your drink-free days, get simple and practical tips to help you control your drinking, receive reminders and celebrate milestones.
  • Get further information from NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

Organisations that offer support: 

Please see the foot of this section for a list local drug and alcohol services, along the brief details on the support they offer.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

0800 9177 650
help@aamail.org (email helpline)
alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Help and support for anyone with alcohol problems.

Alcohol Change UK

alcoholchange.org.uk
Information and support options for people worried about how much alcohol they are drinking, in both English and Welsh.

Change Grow Live

changegrowlive.org
Find information and local support services for alcohol and drug use. Also offers support for mental wellbeing, and issues like housing and work.

FRANK

0300 123 6600
talktofrank.com
Confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law.

Turning Point

turning-point.co.uk
Health and social care services in England for people with a learning disability. Also supports people with mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse or unemployment.

We Are With You

wearewithyou.org.uk
Supports people with drug, alcohol or mental health problems, and their friends and family.

SELF CARE - ALCOHOL

Further tips on cutting down

Make a plan
Before you start drinking, set a limit on how much you're going to drink.

Set a budget
Only take a fixed amount of money to spend on alcohol.

Let them know
If you let your friends and family know you're cutting down and it's important to you, you could get support from them.

Take it a day at a time
Cut back a little each day. That way, every day you do is a success.

Make it a smaller one
You can still enjoy a drink, but go for smaller sizes. Try bottled beer instead of pints, or a small glass of wine instead of a large one.

Have a lower-strength drink
Cut down the alcohol by swapping strong beers or wines for ones with a lower strength (ABV in %). You'll find this information on the bottle.

Stay hydrated
Have a glass of water before you have alcohol and alternate alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink.

Take a break
Have several drink-free days each week.  

NATIONAL SUPPORT - Drugs

Change Grow Live

changegrowlive.org
Find information and local support services for alcohol and drug use. Also offers support for mental wellbeing, and issues like housing and work.

FRANK

0300 123 6600
talktofrank.com
Confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law.

Release

020 7324 2989
ask@release.org.uk (email helpline)
release.org.uk
National charity that offers free and confidential advice about drugs and the law.

Turning Point

turning-point.co.uk
Health and social care services in England for people with a learning disability. Also supports people with mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse or unemployment.

We Are With You

wearewithyou.org.uk
Supports people with drug, alcohol or mental health problems, and their friends and family.

Organisations that can help you support someone else

Adfam

adfam.org.uk
Information and support for friends and family of people with drug or alcohol problems.

Addiction Family Support

0300 888 3853
addictionfamilysupport.org.uk
Provides support to anyone affected by someone else's harmful use of drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Al-Anon

0800 0086 811
helpline@al-anonuk.org.uk
al-anonuk.org.uk
Offers support meetings across the UK for anyone whose life is affected, or has been affected, by someone else's drinking. Also provides online support meetings, and a confidential helpline.

Families Anonymous

0207 4984 680
famanon.org.uk
Support for friends and family of people with drug problems.

National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa)

0800 358 3456
helpline@nacoa.org.uk
nacoa.org.uk
Provides information, advice and support for anyone affected by a parent's drinking, including adults.

We Are With You

wearewithyou.org.uk
Supports people with drug, alcohol or mental health problems, and their friends and family.

Local Support and Contact Details