Many people in the UK drink sensibly, and a growing number don’t drink at all. But around a quarter of adults in England and Scotland, including 300,000 residents in Kent, regularly consume more than the recommended 14 units a week.
Too much alcohol can seriously affect our health, work, relationships and finances. It also has knock-on consequences for a whole range of public services, like the NHS and emergency services, as excess drinking fuels poor health, accidents, crime and anti-social behaviour.
The good news is, reducing your drinking has short and long-term benefits like better sleep, healthier weight, lower blood pressure and less risk of some cancers.
And there are lots of things you can do to start making changes:
- for support from Kent County Council’s (KCC) One You Kent service fill in this online referral form
- get to ‘Know Your Score’ by taking this simple online quiz to see how much you drink, how it might be affecting your life and ways to cut down
- try small practical steps to reduce your drinking like alcohol-free days, trying Dry January, measuring drinks at home rather than ‘free pouring’ and alternating an alcoholic drink with water or a soft drink
Use Drink Aware's units and calorie counter to better understand how much you're drinking and download the Drink Free Days app to help you make choices that are better for your health and wellbeing and stay within the recommended limits.
However, for some it is not simply a case of cutting back. Early signs you or a loved one may need specialised treatment for alcohol addiction include heightened anxiety when not drinking, all-day sessions and blackouts.
If you are worried about your drinking, or someone else’s, KCC commissions Forward Trust to run the East Kent Community Drug and Alcohol Service and Change Grow Live to run the West Kent Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Service.
- if you live in East Kent, contact Forward Trust on 0300 123 1186 to find out more. If you’re not ready to speak to someone, get in touch using their anonymous online chat service Reach Out. Read details for the Thanet, Dover and Folkestone, Canterbury and Ashford services.
- if you live in West Kent, contact Change Grow Live for an initial chat by calling 0330 128 1113, emailing westkent.firststep@cgl.org.uk or by visiting one of their centres in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone or Gravesend.
“Use Alcohol Change UK’s campaign as a reason to check your drinking”
KCC Public Health Consultant Jess Mookherjee said: “This year’s Alcohol Awareness Week is shining a national spotlight on the fact alcohol misuse never impacts people in isolation. Rather, it affects whole families and communities, often the most disadvantaged, and wider society.
“Alcohol may always be around when we celebrate, commiserate or are just trying to cope. But it’s loved ones, family, friends, carers and trained professionals that really help us navigate through life’s journey. There are also lots of ways to have alcohol-free fun.
“Use Alcohol Change UK’s campaign as a reason to check your drinking and if you want to make changes for yourself, and for others, please reach out to our various services. It’s a brave thing to ask for help and they will give you both practical, as well as emotional, support.”
