Alcohol Use
Key message one:
To ensure that alcohol does not adversly effect your health drink no more than 4 units per day (Male) and 3 units per day (female) Do not exceed 28 units a week (male) and 21 units per week (female). It is recommended to have 2 alcohol free days per week.
1 unit is the equivalent to 1/2 pint of lager (at 4% ABV), 25ml measure of spirits, or a small (125ml) glass of wine (at 12% ABV).
Key message two:
Prolonged exposure to alcohol can cause dependency and can effect all of the major organs within the body. Drink within recommended limits. Alcohol may react unpredicatably with prescription medicines and cause health problems.
Services to which patients may be referred:
Local General Practitioner and Primary Care Services.
Equinox - Alcohol assessment and counselling service 7622 8303
Battersea Alcohol Service (Turning Point) 7228 0585
Useful Links:
Useful resources:
Know your limit leaflets available from Public Health Resources.
ALCOHOL CONCERN is the national agency on alcohol misuse. Their website has useful information, factsheets, a local services search facility and a library search facility.
Phone: 7264 0510
DRINKLINE is the national confidential alcohol advice line offering information and advice on sensible drinking; open to people with alcohol problems, their families, friends and carers as well as professionals working with them. Phone: 0800 917 8282 open 24 hours every day
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS / ALATEEN - There is a confidential helpline & local groups for those affected by another persons drinking problem, including young people aged 12-20. Phone: 7403 0888 open 10am-10pm every day
Contact
Markwell Graeme, Health Improvement Co-ordinator - Young People, tel: 020 8812 7832, email: Graeme.Markwell@wpct.nhs.uk
