Stuff I can do
If you’re worried that you’re drinking too much, here are some quick tips to help you cut down:
- Whether you're at home or in the pub, have a soft drink or tap water (it's free!) in between your alcoholic drinks.
- Fill up on something healthy before you start drinking. Eating food before drinking and some nibbles in between drinks can help to slow down alcohol being absorbed in your stomach. Just don’t eat too much - projectile vomiting isn’t much fun either!
- Be aware of how much you’re drinking. You can get apps to check how many units you’ve had, whether at home or the pub. Alcohol units can be confusing, but the apps will do all the maths for you.
- Cut down on how much you’re drinking…literally! Instead of opting for a pint, try half a pint - it will give you a chance to try other beers and ales too. Or, just top off your wine with lemonade for a spritzer – this will help to keep your unit consumption down.
(Source: DrinkAware)
Want to know more ways to keep your drinking at a healthy level? Check out Drink Aware’s MyDrinkaware App - a handy tool to help you calculate how much alcohol you're drinking.
Early Symptoms
Here are some tell-tale signs that alcohol might be taking control:
- You worry about your next drink, and when you’ll get it.
- You’ll try to get a party or social gathering organised just so that you can have a drink.
- Once you start drinking, you find it difficult to stop.
- You want a drink as soon as you wake up.
- You're feeling blue or always worried because you’ve had one too many pints.
- You’ve got the shakes from not drinking. You could also be sweating more or feeling sick.
If you’re struggling with any of these symptoms, remember, help is available – take a look at our Local Help in Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire section.
Useful Videos
What is an alcohol unit?
Alcohol and mental health
The benefits of cutting down drinking
Local Help in Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire
If you’re concerned about your drinking habits and would like support, the following organisations are here to help:
Path to Recovery (P2R) Bedfordshire: P2R provides drug and alcohol advice, treatment and support to adults and families. Visit their website, or give them a call on: 01234 352 220
ResoLUTiONs Luton: Alcohol and drugs; support to cut down or stop. Visit their website or give them a call on: 0800 054603
ARC Milton Keynes: ARC is a service provided in partnership by CNWL and We Are With You as a free and confidential service for people who live in Milton Keynes. The service helps people break a cycle of addiction to substances such as heroin, cocaine, and new psychoactive substance as well as long term alcohol or gambling addictions. Visit their website, email them, or give them a call on: 01908 250730
You can also speak to your GP for support.