Regular exposure to large amounts of alcohol will damage your health and may lead to alcohol dependency. Signs that you may need help reducing your alcohol intake include:
- Other people warning you that you are drinking too much
- You always feel the need to have an alcoholic drink.
- You are planning your day around drinking.
- You are having your first drink earlier and earlier in the day.
- You are regularly missing work and other engagements.
- You are getting into trouble because of your drinking.
The good news is there are support services that will help you cut down, and your GP may refer you to a local community alcohol service. Other support options include counselling services and residential placements. Medication can also be prescribed to help cope with withdrawal symptoms.
Useful contacts for alcohol problems:
- Drinkline is a national alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (GB) is a free self-help group. If you want to speak to someone in your area who has found a solution to the problems they had as a result of their drinking you can call the helpline Free on 0800 9177 650, to be put in touch with someone locally. Alcoholism is a rough word to deal with, yet nobody is too young (or too old) to have trouble with booze. That’s because alcoholism is an illness. It can hit anyone; young, old, rich, poor, black, white and it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been drinking or what you’ve been drinking. It’s what drinking does to you that counts. If you do need help or if you’d just like to talk to someone about your drinking, call on 0800 9177 650 or email: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
- Addaction is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse. www.addaction.org.uk
- Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and database of local support groups. www.adfam.org.uk
- The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned with their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline. www.nacoa.org.uk
