Coronavirus - 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 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: