ionnaire – this helps identify how severely dependent on alcohol you may be
As well as the NHS, there are a number of charities and support groups across the UK that provide support and advice for people with an alcohol misuse problem.
For example, you may want to contact:
- Alcohol Concern – runs the national drink helpline, Drinkline on 0300 123 1110
- Alcoholics Anonymous – helpline 0845 769 7555
- Al-Anon Family Groups – helpline 020 7403 0888
For a full list of charities and support groups, see our page on alcohol support.
Treating alcohol misuse
How alcohol misuse is treated depends on how much alcohol a person is drinking. Treatment options include:
- counselling – including self-help groups and talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- detoxification – this involves a nurse or doctor supporting you to safely stop drinking; this can be done by helping you slowly cut down over time or by giving you medicines to prevent withdrawal symptoms
There are two main types of medicines to help people stop drinking. The first is to help stop withdrawal symptoms, and is given in reducing doses over a short period of time. The most common of these medicines is chlordiazapoxide (Librium).
The second is a medication to reduce any urge you may have to drink. The most common medications used for this are acamprosate and naltrexone. These are both given at a fixed dose, and you’ll usually be on them for 6 to 12 months.
Read more about the treatment options for alcohol misuse.
- alcohol units
- caring for an alcoholic
- social drinking: the hidden risks
- the risks of drinking too much
- tips for cutting down on your drinking
Alcohol and pregnancy
The Department of Health recommends pregnant women and women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby, and the risk increases the more you drink.
The Chief Medical Officers for the UK recommend that if you’re pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep the risk to your baby to a minimum.
If you’re trying to conceive, your partner should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, which should be spread evenly over three days or more. Drinking alcohol excessively can affect the quality of his sperm.