How much is too much?

After drinking, do you ever wake up unable to remember what has happened the night before, or in the dog-house with no-one speaking to you?

Most people drink with the aim of unwinding or having positive, fun times and never intend to experience any of the own sides. When drinking starts to have negative impacts is it time to do something different? Drinking in excess can impact on your relationships, your employment and your health, it could even prevent you from doing what you want to do, or result in you getting into trouble. If you would like to complete a short online drink questionnaire which asks you questions about how often and how much you drink try this online tracker.

The government advises that people should not regularly drink more than the lower risk guidelines of 2-3 units of alcohol for both men and women (equivalent to a pint of 4% beer or 175 ml glass of wine).

Regularly means drinking every day or most days of the week.

Stick to these guidelines and you are what the government defines as a lower risk drinker. The same guidelines state that regularly drinking over them puts you at an increasing risk of developing health problems, and if the amount you’re drinking is usually double or more than the guidelines you are putting yourself at a higher risk of developing health problems.

If you think your drinking puts you into the increasing risk or higher risk categories, it could be time to re-think your relationship with alcohol.

Making some small simple steps around your alcohol use and taking some time to re-think your drinking can help.

Take the step and refer yourself today. There are lots of useful resources on the internet which can help you to learn more about alcohol, find useful tips to control or reduce your drinking and also tools to help track what you are drinking. All of this insight is helpful when you come to Visions for help. See the links to some resources towards the bottom of the page.

Online tools

There are lots of web-based tools to help raise awareness of alcohol and self-help support to stop or cut-down. We have detailed some of them below:

 

Reducing harm interventions

We have a range of bespoke interventions aimed at reducing harm. We focus on reducing the risks and adverse health consequences associated with alcohol use. Strategies and activities for reducing harm vary according to the level of dependence. It’s important to acknowledge that we can never remove all risks completely which is why we say it will reduce or minimise harm. The only way to remove all harm fully is by not drinking. Some of these options are listed below, but please note this is not an exhaustive list.

  • Peer involvement and education
  • Overdose prevention and harm reduction information and literature
  • Bespoke behaviour change workbooks
  • Comprehensive structured programme
  • Links and sign posting to mutual aid
  • Digital/online programmes SilverCloud and Breaking Free Online.
  • Liver function test
  • Blood borne virus screening and enhanced pathways for testing, treatment and support
  • Bespoke physical health assessment including Health MOT clinics
  • Prescribing therapies
  • Referral and support to inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation
  • Liaison with other professionals such as GPs and sexual health clinic

Some useful online tools

  • The Bucks drinks checker

    Use the Bucks drinkchecker tools here

    This is a form designed to look at your alcohol use, it has been converted into an online tool by Bucks public health team and is really easy to use. It asks some other lifestyle questions and can give you some general information and tips on improving your health and wellbeing. Visit the online tracker here.

  • Drink Aware - Alcohol Unit & Calorie Calculator

    Use the alcohol unit and calorie calculator

    This is a really informative website which has lots of different tools on there. This is an online alcohol unit and calorie calculator which helps you keep track of your drinking to a tool which helps you compare your use to the rest of the UK.

  • Drink Aware - Unit tracker and calculator App

    Download the app to calculate the units and calories

    This is a really informative website which has lots of different tools on there. This is the link to the downloadable app which helps you keep track of your drinking to a tool which helps you compare your use to the rest of the UK.

  • The One You 'Days Off' App

    Download the Days Off app here

    The One You campaign is a really simple website to enable you to find suggestions on healthier lifestyles and choices. On this page is information on a downloadable 'Days Off' app which gives you an easy way to track the days you drink alcohol and the days you don’t from your mobile phone. Feel healthier, lose weight and save money – simply nominate days to take off drinking and get practical, daily support to help you stick to it. This campaign also has a drinks tracker app along with other apps to help improve your health and other areas of your life.

Other Useful Links