Reducing Your Alcohol Intake

This leaflet will give you some tips and tools on how to reduce the amount of alcohol that you drink. It will also include some information about the Alcohol Care Team who will support you while you are in hospital.

Alcohol Care Team

Alcohol dependency can happen to anyone. But change is possible. The Alcohol Care Team are here to help people to make that change.

The Alcohol Care Team helps patients who have been impacted by alcohol to navigate our local system and get the support they need. This allows patients to live better, healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Alcohol Care Team is a team of specialists that support patients throughout the hospital to reduce, quit or use alcohol more safely.

The Team provides support to:

• Inpatients at North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals admitted due to alcohol-related issues or harm.
  
• Inpatients at North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals that, through screening in hospital, have been identified as someone who would benefit from support from the Team.

Alcohol Care Teams are specialist staff that can support you to:

• Recognise the impact alcohol has on your physical health, mental health, relationships and other matters.
  
• Reduce or manage the risks of harm associated with alcohol use.
  
• Reduce or manage your alcohol use or become alcohol free.
  
• Remain alcohol free.
  
• Access the right support and help for you in the community.

Alcohol Care Teams do this by undertaking a specialist assessment of your needs. They provide mental support and social activities, and work with and refer on to hospital-based and community-based services.

Approximately 180,000 hospital admissions and 35% of attendances in A&E departments are alcohol related. An estimated 15,000 to 22,000 deaths each year are associated with alcohol, which includes young people as well as adults. We want to minimise the impact alcohol has on our patients’ lives, support patients to make healthier choices and to prevent alcohol-related deaths.

Alcohol has a significant impact on our lives, including:

• Short and long-term damage to physical and mental health.
  
• Breakdown of relationships.
  
• Dependency/addiction behaviours such as drinking to prevent withdrawal.
  
• Foetal alcohol syndrome (this can effect a baby’s development and growth if women drink alcohol while pregnant).
  
• Premature death.

Our services aim to;

• reduce and prevent alcohol-related A&E attendances.
  
• reduce hospital admissions.
  
• reduce the length of stay on wards.

Alcohol Units

There is no completely safe level of drinking. However, adults are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units spread out over three or more days. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the only safe approach is not to drink alcohol at all.

Alcohol unit reference

One unit of alcohol

• Half pint of ‘regular’ beer, lager or cider
  
• Half a small glass of win
  
• One single measure of spirits
  
• One small glass of sherry
  
• One single measure of aperitifs

Drinks more than a single unit

• Pint of ‘regular’ beer, lager or cider
  
• Pint of ‘strong’ or ‘premium’ beer, larger or cider
  
• Alcopop or a 275ml bottle of regular lager
  
• 440ml can of ‘regular’ lager or cider
  
• 440ml can of ‘super strength’ lager
  
• 250ml glass of wine (12%)
  
• 75cl bottle of wine (12%)

Weekly drinking guideline

The Chief Medical Officer’s guideline² is as follows:

• To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, it is safest not to drink more than 14 units per week on a regular basis.

• If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread these out evenly over several days.

• If you have one or more heavy drinking days a week, you increase the risks of death from long-term illness and from accidents and injuries.

• The risk of developing a range of health problems such as cancer of the mouth, throat and breast, increases the more you drink on a regular basis.

• If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to achieve this is to have several drink-free days per week.

Single occasion drinking (binge drinking)

This applies to drinking a large amount of alcohol on any single occasion. The Chief Medical Officer’s advice for people who want to keep their health risks to a low level is to reduce them by:

• Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink on one single occasion.
  
• Drinking slower, with food and drinking water in between.
  
• Planning ahead to avoid problems i.e. making sure you can get home safely.

This would help to reduce accidents causing injury or causing death in some cases, reduce the possibility of misjudging risky situations, and reduce the risk of losing self-control.

Alcohol and you

Some people are more likely to be affected by alcohol and should be more careful of their drinking on any one occasion. For example, those at risk of falls, those on medication that may interact with alcohol or where it may worsen any pre-existing medical or mental health conditions.¹

Alcohol can affect your body in many ways, but the main ways it can affect you are by causing problems in the below areas;

• Brain – dementia, alcohol-related brain damage, depression, anxiety.
  
• Mouth and Throat – cancer of the mouth, upper throat, larynx, and oesophagus.
  
• Heart – hypertension and risk of Stroke.
  
• Breasts – breast cancer.
  
• Liver – fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
  
• Digestive system – gastritis, stomach ulcers, and cancer of the stomach and bowel.
  
• Reproductive systems – temporary Impotence and reduced fertility.

Keep your risks low by drinking no more than 14 units a week.

Find out more about alcohol at www.alcoholchange.org.uk

Assess your level of dependence – Drink Diary

You may find it difficult to stop drinking for various reasons. You should seek professional healthcare advice on how to reduce safely and slowly. You should not stop drinking suddenly as this can be severe enough to be life threatening.

Even if you are a dependent drinker do not worry, there is help available and this booklet will inform you how later.

To find out how much you are actually drinking each day, record where, what, why, and with whom you were drinking. This will form your drink diary.

Try to structure your diary so that you record each day as below;

Then, using your drink diary, complete the following questions;

Q1: How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

Q2: How any units of alcohol do you drink on a typical day when you are drinking?

Q3: How often have you had six or more units if female, or eight or more if male, on a single occasion in the last year?

Q4: How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?

Q5: How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of your drinking?

Q6: How often during the last year have you needed an alcoholic drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?

Q7: How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?

Q8: How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?

Q9: Have you or somebody else been injured as a result of your drinking?

Q10: Has a relative or friend, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested that you cut down?

Scoring

Add together all your scores to find your overall score below:

• If you scored up to 7, you are probably drinking sensibly and with low risk.
• If you scored between 8 and 15, then your drinking is possibly becoming hazardous.
• If you scored between 16 and 19, then what you are drinking is probably harmful now or will be long term. Although you may not notice it, there is a high risk your health is suffering because of alcohol.
• If you are scoring 20 or more then you may be dependent.

If you believe that you are a high risk and dependent drinker, then it is very important you speak to your GP before you stop drinking.

If you are unhappy with the amount you drink and believe you may be an increasing or higher risk drinker, then you should find help in the following pages.

Ask yourself – why do you drink alcohol?

Record all the reasons why you drink alcohol and the advantages and disadvantages to cutting down or stopping. This will help us to personalise the support we can offer.

These are some of the reasons other people have given as to why they drink, and some practical ways to help.

I am anxious: Try relaxation or mindfulness, practice deep breathing and utilise calming thoughts. Distract yourself and keep yourself busy.

I feel left out: If you are going out with friends and feel left out, try not to focus on yourself, think about the people around you and what’s going on in their lives and listen.

I am stressed: Talk to someone about how you are feeling (family, friends or professional). Enjoy some leisure time for yourself and relax. Eat a balanced, healthy diet.

I am bored: Plan your day so that you have something to look forward to. With the money you save on alcohol you can enjoy going out and doing other things. Keep in touch with supportive friends and family. Look for a new hobby or interest. Look for jobs to do around the house.

I can’t sleep: Exercise regularly but not too late in the evening. Go to bed and get up each morning at a regular time (get into a good bedtime routine). Make your bedroom and bed comfortable.

Tips to help you cut down on alcohol

Plan and take control of your drinking by planning when and how much you will drink.⁴

• Use your drinking diary to plan when you will drink alcohol and how much you will drink.
  
• Identify high risk times e.g. nights out with friends.
  
• Pick at least 2 days a week when you will not drink any alcohol.
  
• On days you plan to drink, pick the time when you will stop drinking and leave the pub or bar at that time.
  
• Choose drinks that are lower in alcohol.
  
• Keep track of how much you really drink by recording what you actually had next to what you planned to have.
  
• Plan to eat before you drink alcohol.
  
• Tell your friends and family if you feel they will support you.
  
• Shake up your social plans – meet up for a coffee or go to the movies instead.
  
• If you have a supportive partner or friend who also wishes to reduce their drinking, try doing it together.
  
• Keep a record of your mood.
  
• If you do pre-drink, don’t drink as much.
  
• Eat before you go out.
  
• Start drinking later.
  
• Drink spirits with a mixer.
  
• If you drink wine, buy a small glass rather than a large.
  
• If you drink beer or lager, stick to normal strength not super. If you drink alcohol at home, experiment with non-alcoholic drinks until you find one you enjoy.
  
• If you go out with friends who drink alcohol, offer to be the non-drinking driver so you have a good excuse ready for not drinking alcohol.

Heavy and dependent drinkers

People that continuously drink heavily usually do not eat properly. When you don’t eat properly, you do not get enough Vitamin B. Vitamin B is important for repairing any damage to nerve cells and the brain. If you do not get enough Vitamin B this can lead to nerve damage and you may feel ‘pins and needles’ in your fingers and toes.

Vitamin B deficiency can also lead to brain damage, resulting in dementia specifically associated with very heavy drinking. This is caused by a lack of Thiamine (a type of Vitamin B) which is needed to make new memories.

Very heavy drinkers may feel more breathless, bruise more easily and feel constantly tired. This is due to the alcohol damaging the blood cells that carry oxygen and other blood cells that stop bleeding.

Diabetes can also be caused by alcohol due to damaging the pancreas.

Liver damage will also occur in prolonged heavy drinking. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by continuous, long-term liver damage. Scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver and prevents the liver from working properly.

The damage caused by cirrhosis cannot be reversed and can eventually become so extensive that your liver stops functioning.

If you have any of these symptoms you must speak to your GP.

If you would like more information about the Alcohol Care Team they are available every day 8 to 8. You can contact them by ringing hospital switchboard on 01642 617617 and asking to be put through.

You can also find information on the NHS website;

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/

Local Alcohol Support

Change Grow Live (CGL) – Stockton
Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
32-34 Williams St, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1DN
Phone: 01642 673888
E-Mail: [email protected]
https://www.changegrowlive.org/recovery-service-stockton/info

START – Hartlepool
Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
START, Whitby St, Hartlepool TS24 7AB
Phone: 01429 285000
E-mail: [email protected]
https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/info/20015/social_care_and_health/1125/start_-_hartlepools_integrated_substance_misuse_service/7

Waythrough- County Durham/Easington/Peterlee/Sedgefield
Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
Centre for Change, Whinney Hill, Durham DH1 3BQ
Eden House, 1 Station Road, Consett, Co. Durham DH8 5RL
Saddler House, Saddler St, Bishop Auckland DL14 7BH
Phone: 03000 266 666
E-mail: https://www.waythrough.org.uk

Accessing Change Together (ACT) – Middlesbrough
Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
Live Well East, Crossfell Road, Berwick Hills
Middlesbrough, TS3 7PE.
Phone: 01642 726800
E-mail: [email protected]
https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/adult-social-care/accessing-change-together/

We Are With You (STRIDE) – Darlington
Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
26 Coniscliffe Road Darlington County Durham DL3 7JX
Phone: 01325 809810
E-mail: [email protected]
https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/darlington-at-stride/

Further Alcohol Support.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/find-a-meeting/

Drinkcoach free app (iOS and Android)
The app can help with ‘sober-self’ reminders, a drink tracker, hangover diary, goal setting and sharing, mindfulness videos, drink tracker summaries and online appointments.
https://drinkcoach.org.uk/download-drinkcoach-app

Drinkline
Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence.
0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).

SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery groups help people decide whether they have a problem, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
https://smartrecovery.org.uk/

Al-Anon Family Groups (UK and Eire)
Al-Anon Family Groups offers support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they are still drinking or not. ‘Alateen’ is part of Al-Anon and can be attended by 12- to 17-year-olds who are affected by another person’s drinking, usually a parent.
https://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/

WithYou
We Are With You is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse. If you are over 50 and worried about your drinking.
0808 8010 750
https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/

Adfam
Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and a database of local support groups.
https://adfam.org.uk/

NACOA

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 about their welfare.
0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline.
https://nacoa.org.uk/

Alcohol Change
Works to reduce alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol related problems.
0203 907 8480
www.alcoholchange.org.uk

Turning Point
Free, confidential advice on drug and alcohol support, including specialist services.
020 7481 7600
[email protected]
www.turning-point.co.uk

North East Council on Addiction
Promotes the prevention, recognition and treatment associated to use and misuse of substances including alcohol, drugs and gambling
0191 414 6446
www.neca.co.uk
[email protected]

Other useful contact details:

Citizens Advice Stockton
01642 633877
National Advice Line: 03442 451 295
[email protected]
Wellington Square Shopping Centre, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1LN

Citizens Advice Hartlepool
01429 408401
Advice line – 0808278 7967
[email protected]
Citizens Advice Hartlepool, 87 Park Road, Hartlepool, TS26 9HP

Step Change
Step change is a charity who can support you around your debt/money matters.
0800 138 1111
https://www.stepchange.org

National Debt Line
Help for anyone in debt or concerned they may fall into debt.
0808 808 4000

The National Careline
The National Careline is a not for profit company offering advice about care and support for older people, their carers and families.
0800 0699 784

Hartlepool Now
Find out about local events, information, help and support available in Hartlepool.
https://www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk/

Hartlepool social services
Hartlepool Borough Council, Customer Services, Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8AY
01429266522
https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/homepage/15/[email protected]

Stockton social services
Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council
Municipal Buildings, Church Road, Stockton-On-Tees, TS18 1LD (SATNAV: TS19 1UE)
01642 393939
https://stockton.gov.uk

The National Sleep Helpline
A sleep helpline ran by a team of specialist sleep advisors that offer practical strategies and recommend services that could help.
Monday to Sunday: 19:00 to 21:00
Monday to Thursday: 09:00 to 11:00
0330 353 0541
www.thesleepcharity.org.uk

The Sleep Council
Provides helpline, information and a wide range of resources on improving sleep.
0800 018 7923
www.sleepcouncil.org.uk

ICLS
8 to 8 Monday to Sunday older persons mental health support.
01642 368900

Samaritans
Free phone number for anyone needing some mental health support
116 123
www.samaritans.org

Crisis team

People of all ages can now contact their local TEWV crisis service. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will make it easier for people to access help in a mental health emergency. People already receiving treatment for mental ill health.

Phone 111 and pick option 2. Alternatively, phone 0800 0516 171.

Andy’s Man Club
Andy Man Club are a Men’s Mental Health Charity – Offering free-to-attend talking groups for men and challenging the stigmas around Male Mental Health.
Hartlepool – Hartlepool Rovers Rugby Club, TS24 0BE
Stockton – Redhill Family Hub, TS19 9BX
Middlesbrough Town Hall, Albert Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 2QJ
01429 866095
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
[email protected]

The British Red Cross
A charity to support people who are in crisis and for ongoing support after leaving hospital.
https://www.redcross.org.uk

Veterans Helpline UK
Veterans helpline UK is a support service for veterans who are in need of mental health support, food, housing and finances and much more.
0808 8021 212

East Durham Veterans
Is a registered charity whereby veterans support veterans around their mental health and more.
0191 5815677
https://www.eastdurhamveterans.co.uk
[email protected]

SSAFA
The Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
0800 260 6767
https://ssafa.org.uk
[email protected]

The Moses Project

The Moses Project provides guidance, mentoring and support to hundreds of adult males with past and current addictions to drugs and alcohol.
01642 688901

IMPACT on Teesside
We are the psychological therapies and wellbeing service working with people across Teesside.
The team is available Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4:30pm.
01642 573924
[email protected]

CRUSE Bereavement Care
Offers advice and support for those affected by bereavement.
0808 808 1677
www.cruse.org.uk

Bereavement Advice Centre
Practical help for when someone dies
0800 634 9494
www.bereavementadvice.org

The Blue Cross – Pet Bereavement Support
0800 096 6606
www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-support

Carers UK
Provides information, advice and support for carers and their families with useful information who have suffered bereavement.
0808 808 777
www.carersuk.org

Relate
Help with marital or relationship problems.
0300 100 1234
www.relate.org.uk

ARCH
Free and confidential counselling service for people 14+ who have suffered sexual abuse at any time in their lives.
01642 822331
https://archteesside.org/

Victim Support
Victim support is an organisation which offers support and practical help for people who have experienced trauma.
0808 1689 111
www.victimsupport.org.uk

Harbour Support Services
We are working towards safer communities through holistic services addressing all aspects of domestic violence
Stockton – 23-25 Bishopton Lane, Stockton-On-Tees TS18 1PS
Hartlepool – 15 Whitburn Street, Hartlepool TS24 7QR03000 20 25 25 (24 hours)[email protected]

Hart Gables
Supporting LGBTQ+ communities in Teesside and East Durham
01642 675509
www.hartgables.org.uk
[email protected]

GamCare
0808 802 0133
www.gamcare.org.uk [email protected]  

HARCAS
Gambling therapy service.
01609 780486
www.gamblingtherapy.org

References:

1. https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/interactive-tools/alcohol-and-your-body-map
2. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/545937/UK_CMOs__report.pdf
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alcohol-use-screening-tests
4. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/drink-less/#tips-to-help-you-cut-down-on-alcohol

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet Reference: PI071
Date for review: May 2027