Advice and support
Support
If you are concerned about how much you, or someone you know, drinks, there’s lots of help out there. You can speak to your GP, find your local alcohol support service or contact:
Medical Warning
If you have physical withdrawal symptoms (shaking, sweating or feelings of anxiety until you have your first drink of the day) you should take medical advice before stopping completely – it can be dangerous to do this too quickly and without proper advice and support. Speak to your GP or call Drinkline free on 0300 123 1110 for more advice.
Here are some tips to help you cut down.
Understanding alcohol units isn’t always easy but staying within the low risk limits will keep your relationship with alcohol in check.
The Chief Medical Officer recommends drinking no more than 14 units a week to keep your risks from alcohol “low risk”. That does not mean safe levels but low risk.
14 units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or a bottle and a half of wine.
Have at least a few drink-free days every week. This can give your body a rest, boost your immune system and improve your mental health and wellbeing.
It can also help you feel more alive and alert at work or college.
Consider taking an extended break like having a Dry January or other dry month.
Even with days off alcohol, it is safest not to drink more than 14 units per week, spread over three or more days. Having drink free days and then bingeing puts your health at risk.
Not everyone drinks alcohol, and it is fine to say no. It’s surprising how many people think it’s OK to pressure other people to drink – it’s not.
If you let your friends and family know you’re cutting down and it’s important to you, you could get support from them. They might even join you.
Having a glass of water or a soft drink between alcoholic drinks can help reduce your number of alcoholic drinks.
And if you are drinking, try to choose a drink with a lower strength %. Some lagers and beers now contain very high strengths.
Remember also that home-poured measures can be more generous that what you would get in a pub or restaurant.
Local alcohol support services
County Durham drug and alcohol recovery services are freely available to adults and young people concerned about drug and alcohol use.
We’re dedicated to providing an accessible service for everyone who lives in County Durham and who needs help with any drug or alcohol misuse related matter.
We aim to offer ways for local people with drug and alcohol problems to become free from their dependence
Visit https://codurhamdrugalcoholrecovery.co.uk/contact
Call: 03000 266 666
Email: DurhamContact@humankindcharity.org.uk
Provides support to adults and young people
Gateshead Recovery Partnership is a single, integrated drug and alcohol service for all adults living in Gateshead.
Visit www.changegrowlive.org/recovery-partnership-gateshead
Email: grp.referrals@cgl.org.uk
Call: 0191 5947821
Provides support to adults only.
Positive Futures – for children and young people up to the age of 18
Positive Futures is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for young people and concerned others in the Gateshead area.
Visit https://www.changegrowlive.org/positive-futures-gateshead/info
Support to families, adults and young people supported by the Humankind charity
Visit https://humankindcharity.org.uk/service/newcastle-treatment-and-recovery-service/
Call: 0191 206 1117
Email: NTARreferrals@cntw.nhs.uk
The North Tyneside Recovery Partnership (NTRP) is a dedicated service for anyone in North Tyneside who is experiencing problems with drugs and/or alcohol. It provides support to people of all ages including children and young people to get well and stay well
Visit https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/north-tyneside-recovery-partnership/
Call: 0191 2408122
The Northumberland Recovery Partnership (NRP) is a dedicated service for anyone in Northumberland aged 18 and over, who is registered with a GP and is experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol. We are here to help you get well and stay well. We believe recovery from addiction and substance misuse is possible for everyone, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Our aim is to make recovery a reality in Northumberland – whether you’re dealing with problematic drug or alcohol use or helping support others that are.
Visit https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/northumberland-recovery-partnership/
Call: 01670 798200
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust are the lead provider in partnership with Humankind.
SORTED
Sorted is Northumberland’s Substance Misuse Service for young people made up of specialist workers and health staff.
The service provides intervention for children and young people up to age 18 within the Northumberland area. Young people are supported to stop using substances, and to reduce the associated risks from substance misuse, both to themselves and their communities. They are also supported to achieve good physical and emotional health and wellbeing.
Visit www.northumberland.gov.uk/Children/Young/SORTED.aspx
Call: 01670 536400
South Tyneside Adult Recovery Service is available for adults affected by substance misuse who live in South Tyneside. North-East-based charity Humankind leads the service, working in partnership with Spectrum Community Health CIC.
Visit https://stadultrecoveryservice.co.uk/
Call: 0191 917 1160
Matrix
The MATRIX service works with young people under the age of 18 in South Tyneside, their families and carers. The service provides help, support and advice to those whose lives have been affected by drug and alcohol misuse or those who are at risk of developing drug and alcohol problems.
Visit https://www.ypmatrix.org/
Call: 0191 497 5637
Email: enquiries@ypmatrix.org
Wear Recovery (adults)
We are here to support you if you want to make positive changes to your alcohol use.
We work across Sunderland offering one-to-one, group, and peer support. We will support you with any questions or concerns you might have about alcohol, your mental health, and more.
We provide information, advice, treatment, and support and can meet you in different locations across Sunderland. We have hubs in the city centre, Washington and Houghton le Spring.
Visit https://www.changegrowlive.org/sunderland/alcohol
Call: 0800 234 6798
Email: SunderlandSMS.info@cgl.org.uk
Together for Children (children and young people)
Our Youth Drug and Alcohol Project (YDAP) team offers specialist services for young people (aged up to 18 years old) living in the Sunderland area who have complex needs associated with substance misuse.
Visit www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/services/drug-and-alcohol-support
Call: 0191 520 5560
Email: YDAP.Project@togetherforchildren.org.uk
Only 1 in 5 people with alcohol issues are accessing support services. But anyone worried about their drinking can access free and friendly local support.
Q&A with Jane Curtis from Humankind.
If I am concerned about my drinking what should I do?
Start by trying to cut down on your alcohol use. It has many benefits not only improving your health and reducing the risk of alcohol related cancers, it can vastly improve mental health as well.
What can I do to cut down?
If you are drinking at home, using measured portions can really help you to be aware of how much and how many units of alcohol you are drinking. Do you honestly know how many units of alcohol you drink?
Knowing your units helps you to stay in control of your drinking.
You can find out more information about alcohol units at here Units – Reduce My Risk
You could try and delay the time you start drinking. Breaking your habits such as times and places can make it easier.
Don’t be hard to yourself. Take your time. Drink slower of have a glass of water or a soft drink between alcoholic drinks.
Try to have at least one alcohol free day between drinking days to give your body a chance to recover from the alcohol.
If you feel your drinking is getting out of hand it is important to get support and advice from a healthcare professional before making major changes.
You can speak to your GP or you can contact your local Alcohol support service who can offer advice and support no matter how little.
Staff are trained to give safe advice and will help you to plan how you want to make changes.