If you are concerned you have a problem with alcohol, the first step is the biggest which is acknowledging it and realising that you cannot deal with it alone and will need to seek help.
Accepting that you may have a problem and need support can be recognised in different ways, you feel the need to have a drink daily, it could also be that other people highlight or warn you about how much you're drinking, or that you yourself identify that the amount of alcohol you are drinking is causing you problems.
People can often be unsure if their drinking habits are healthy or unhealthy. One way to check this is to monitor your drinking and how many units of alcohol you are having either daily or weekly.
It is so easy to get confused with how many units are in your drink and you are consuming. With so many different drinks, glass sizes ranging from shots to pints, small to large, then the addition of bottles. The number of units in a drink, is based on the size of the drink as well as the alcohol strength.
Knowing your units will help towards you staying in control of your drinking and knowing your limits.
It is recommended that you do not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.
An easy way to keep a check on your alcohol unit intake could be to use the Alcohol Change UK's unit calculator this can really help to monitor how many units you're having per week
Drinking alcohol excessively not only affects you, but it can affect others around you as well.
It can also result in seriously damaging your relationships, friendships, and work life. Often people think that they are hiding it or managing it and that their problem isn't that bad, its only a few drinks and that no one will notice.
How many times have you heard or thought “It was a one off and won’t happen again” often this isn’t the case, and it can and does have a negative effect on those around you and first and foremost on yourself.
Behaviours such as using drugs, drinking excessively and substance abuse can all be used as coping mechanisms, to block out difficult issues such as stress, emotional issues, and professional pressures.
The links below are here to provide information and additional for anyone dealing with Alcohol related issues:
Home - Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain
Alcohol Change UK charity: Alcohol harms. Time for change. | Alcohol Change UK
DAN 247 – Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline
Organisations that can help you support someone else
Al-Anon UK | For families & friends of alcoholics
Helping someone with drug and alcohol problems
Support for Children of Alcoholics
Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking - Nacoa
Parental Alcohol Use | Young Carers | The Children's Society