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 you have not yet spoken to your keyworker, please ring them to find out how we will continue to support you whilst you are unable to visit the service.
You will still have your regular keywork sessions over the phone, and we will be running 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
Online treatment and recovery programmes. Contact your local WDP service to get a FREE access code.
Coronavirus information and advice hub
National alcohol helpline; free and confidential.
Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am-8pm, weekends 11am-4pm)
Find alcohol support services in England
Call 0800 917 7650 (10am - 10pm every day)
Online meetings are also available here
Online recovery forums
Online meetings available here
Online messaging service; free, confidential advice from trained advisors
Support for families and friends of people with an alcohol addiction
Call 0800 0086 811 (10am-10pm every day)