Alcohol

Alcohol plays a major part in our society. Even if you do not drink yourself, you are likely to know or come into contact with people who do.

The effects of alcohol can be both positive and negative. For many people, drinking alcohol is a regular and enjoyable part of their social life. If you drink responsibly, there is no need for concern.

However, excessive drinking leads to health problems including weight gain, heart disease, liver disease, alcohol poisoning or alcohol addiction. Drinking too much is a common cause of accidents and violence, and can make people take dangerous risks.

See below for information on alcohol, advice to help you drink safely and responsibly, and contact details for organisations offering further information and support.

How is Leeds tackling this issue?
How much can I safely drink?
Can I just keep my 'safe weekly total' for a Friday night?
Tips for healthy drinking
How do I know if I've got a problem?
But they say alcohol's good for you!
Contacts and useful links

How is Leeds tackling this issue?  Back to top

In its Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England (2004) the Government identifies four key ways to tackle alcohol related harm. These include improved, and better-targeted, education and communication, and better identification and treatment of alcohol problems. The Government is also looking for better co-ordination and enforcement of existing powers against crime and disorder. It is encouraging the drinks industry to continue promoting responsible drinking, and to continue to take a role in reducing alcohol-related harm.

Alcohol is also one of the six key priorities identified in the Choosing Health white paper (2004).  Models of Care for Alcohol Misusers (MoCAM), published in June 2006, provides best practice guidance for local health organisations and their partners in delivering a planned and integrated local treatment system for adult alcohol misusers. 

The Leeds approach has three key strands:

Prevention	To promote sensible drinking
Control	To control the impact of alcohol on individuals and society
Treatment	To increase the range and quality of treatment services

How much can I safely drink?  Back to top

On average, your body takes 1 hour to process 1 unit of alcohol.

A unit of alcohol is:

• Half a pint of ordinary strength beer or lager
• A pub measure of spirits
• A glass of sherry or port
• A small glass of wine (a large glass is 2 units)

The recommended safe limits for men and women are:

Men	3-4 units per day, but not every day. No more than 21 units per week
Women	2-3 units per day, but not every day. No more than 14 units per week

In England, 30% of men and 17% of women currently exceed these limits.

Can I just keep my 'safe weekly total' for a Friday night?  Back to top

This is sometimes called 'binge drinking', where large amounts of alcohol are drunk on one occasion. It is not recommended. Binge drinking:

• Increases your risk of having an accident
• Can lead to serious health problems
• Can result in alcohol poisoning, which stops your reflexes from working properly (this can affect your heartbeat and your breathing or cause you to choke on vomit)
• Can make you do or say things you?ll regret once you've sobered up, like arguing with friends or having unprotected sex

Tips for healthy drinking  Back to top

• Avoid mixing alcohol with other drugs or medication
• Have something to eat before you start drinking -  food in the stomach allows alcohol to be absorbed more slowly
• Avoid drinking to get drunk - stay in control of yourself
• Be careful about drinking in rounds - you tend to end up drinking at the speed of the fastest drinker in your group
• Learn to refuse offers of drinks you don't want
• Drink slowly, and space alcoholic drinks out with soft drinks or water
• Avoid drinking competitions or gimmicky events to get you to drink more
• Aim for at least two alcohol-free days a week
• Avoid using alcohol to help you cope with problems, shyness or insomnia. Alcohol cannot solve problems - it will only blot them out. It also causes disturbed sleep patterns, often making you feel worse. Talk to someone you trust about developing confidence or dealing with problems. See your GP for help with insomnia.
• Remember that your body needs 48 hours to recover from a heavy drinking session. If you feel hung over after drinking, don't be tempted to have more alcohol to cure the hangover. Take lots of non-alcoholic fluids, rest, and stay off alcohol for 48 hours - you will feel much better.

How do I know if I've got a problem?  Back to top

Many people have an image of what they think someone with a drink problem looks like. However, anyone can experience alcohol related problems.  It doesn't matter what age or sex you are, or what occupation or lifestyle you have - and you don't need to be alcoholic, or have a need of alcohol, to have a problem.

Think about the following questions. They are not a complete list, but answering yes to some or all of them may indicate a problem. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you are worried about your drinking, and if they can't help, contact Alcohol and Drug Services (see Contacts and Useful Links, below).

• Are you aware that you're now drinking more? If so, think about why this is.
• Do you need time off work due to hangovers, or regularly have hangovers?
• Do you use alcohol to block out feelings or thoughts?
• Do you have arguments with friends and family while drinking?
• Do you drink to cure a hangover?

People who drink regularly and heavily or aim to get drunk may also experience accidents, violence, workplace or relationship problems, getting into trouble with the law, and other health problems.

But they say alcohol's good for you!  Back to top

Research suggests that small amounts of alcohol (1-2 units per day) can reduce the risk of heart disease in men over 40 or women who are past the menopause.

However, the same benefits can be achieved through a healthy diet and exercise.

Younger people are generally less likely to suffer from heart attacks. There are therefore no medical benefits of drinking alcohol for this age group.

Contacts and useful links  Back to top

Alcohol and Drug Services, 18 East Parade, Leeds Tel: 0113 247 0111
Base 10, 1 Park Square East, Leeds Tel: 0113 243 3552	For under-19s affected by their own or a family member's alcohol use, and the parents of young people affected by alcohol use.
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) Tel: 0845 769 7555 (calls charged at local rate)
Al-Anon Tel: 020 7 403 0888 (24-hour helpline)	A worldwide organisation offering understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the drinker is still drinking or not. Local Al-Anon meetings and contacts: Thursdays, 6.30pm at Alcohol and Drug Services, 18 East Parade, Leeds Call Lizzie on 01423 734730 or Kathleen on 0113 285 6308 Mondays, 8.00pm at Wrangthorn Church Hall, Hyde Park Call Myrna on 0113 244 4139 or Janet on 0113 216 6555

Your local GP might also be able to give you help and advice, or possibly refer you to the most appropriate service.