Lifestyle Healthy drinking


How to control your drinking


healthier


Drinking is linked to more than 60 medical conditions, says Alcohol Concern. Here’s how to make sure your drinking doesn’t develop into a problem


One of life’s pleasures is to have


an occasional alcoholic drink while socialising or relaxing at home. But it’s all too easy to overdo it where alcohol is concerned. According to current guidelines,


adults should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis. They also say if adults regularly drink that much it's best to spread their drinking over three or more days. Yet according to Alcohol Concern,


seven percent of adults in England regularly drink more than is recommended. The charity also reports alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill health and disability among 15 - 49-year-olds in the UK, and the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages. It’s easy to drink too much without


realising it. So ask yourself the following questions – and if any of the answers is yes, you may need advice and support from your GP or pharmacist to help you cut down…


• Is drinking an important part of your life (or possibly the most important thing)?


• Do you regularly exceed the recommended weekly alcohol limit?


• Do you find yourself drinking more when you’re under stress?


• Do you find it difficult to stop drinking once you’ve started?


• Are you always thinking about when you’ll have your next drink?


Top tips to help you drink less • Set yourself a limit for how much you’re going to drink before you start.


• Have at least one soft drink or glass of water with each alcoholic drink.


• Instead of drinking pints or large glasses of wine, go for halves or bottles of beer, or ask for wine in a small glass.


• Don’t try to keep up with other people or drink in rounds.


• Dilute your drinks – try having a spritzer or a shandy.


• Sit while you drink rather than standing (this helps you drink more slowly).


Drinking and your


medicines “You should always check whether it is safe to drink with your medication, irrespective of your age,” says Pharmacist Gordon Heeley. Alcohol interacts with a variety


of medicines and can increase the likelihood of falls, sleep disturbance, confusion, drowsiness and sedation. Antibiotics are effected by alcohol and one – metronidazole, prescribed by doctors and dentists – can have severe side effects including dizziness, vomiting and an irregular heartbeat. “It is worthwhile checking with


your Pharmacist whether it is safe to have a drink with your medicine, particularly when on several medicines, so that any potentially harmful interactions can be avoided,” advises Gordon. “Many people think they can


miss their medication and safely drink. However they do not consider what harm may come from missing their medicine.”


All About You 9


funded alcohol screening service


about our FREE NHS-


Ask


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32