Alcohol support I am a current WDP service user receiving support for alcohol use We are here to help you find positive ways to maintain your recovery goals. If it is not possible to come into our service, you will still have your regular keywork sessions over the phone, and we will run virtual group sessions via telephone and video calls. Your keyworker will explain everything you need to know to join these groups. We will work with you to ensure your recovery plan addresses issues arising throughout the lockdown – for example: Purchase / home delivery of alcohol Community detox and prescribing arrangements Anti-craving and relapse prevention prescribing Thiamine and vitamin supplements Managing withdrawal Maintaining motivation Updates on inpatient detox and/or residential rehab placements Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR) modules Safer drinking tips Staying healthy Reducing or stopping drinking Unmanaged alcohol withdrawal can have serious complications and can be fatal. If you experience withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating, nausea or a headache after several hours without alcohol, do not stop drinking suddenly. You should not stop drinking without the support of your local drug and alcohol treatment service. Regardless of much you are drinking, if you start to have any of these symptoms below: Seizures Confusion Auditory or visual hallucinations Double vision You must ring 999 for an ambulance. I am concerned my alcohol use has increased or is becoming harmful The Chief Medical Officers’ guideline for men and women is not to exceed more than 14 units of alcohol per week. For more information on alcohol units, visit Know Your Limits. To reduce the health risks associated with alcohol further it is recommended that drinking be spread out across the week rather than in single session or binge use. Please contact your local WDP service – one of our team will complete a brief telephone assessment with you using AUDIT-C (available online as a self-check). We will help you put in place a moderated drinking plan leading to safer drinking levels or abstinence, if that is your recovery goal. We have a range of support and information available online and through keyworking sessions, including: Drink diaries Unit/calorie calculators Soft drink interludes/tops Slow drinking tips CBT-based Resilience Toolkits Involving families/carers Peer support I am concerned my alcohol use has reached dependency level The risk of dependency is increased if you: Drink more than 15 units of alcohol daily Experience withdrawal symptoms when reducing or stopping drinking Consume alcohol soon after you get up to stop shakes and/or sweating. You should not stop drinking without the support of your local drug and alcohol treatment service. Regardless of much you are drinking, if you start to have any of these symptoms below: Seizures Confusion Auditory or visual hallucinations Double vision You must ring 999 for an ambulance. Online/telephone support for your drinking Alcohol Change UK Coronavirus information and advice hub Drinkline National alcohol helpline; free and confidential. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am-8pm, weekends 11am-4pm) NHS website Find alcohol support services in England Alcoholics Anonymous Call 0800 917 7650 (10am - 10pm every day) Online meetings are also available here SoberRecovery.com Online recovery forums SMART Recovery Online meetings available here Drinkaware Drinkchat Online messaging service; free, confidential advice from trained advisors Al-Anon Support for families and friends of people with an alcohol addiction Call 0800 0086 811 (10am-10pm every day)