How much is too much?
The limits set by the NHS is 14 units a week regardless of gender, this translates to approximately:-
- One and a half bottles of wine.
- Six pints of lager (4 if high alcohol).
- 7 double whiskeys.
If you do drink 14 units or more a week then it’s best to spread this out over 3 days or more, any less and your health is likely to suffer.
For many, what constitutes dependency or addiction is a grey area so as a rule of thing if:-
- You often ‘need’ a drink.
- Drinking gets you into trouble.
- Other people are concerned about your drinking.
- You feel like drinking might be a problem.
This may be time to speak to someone.
What should I do?
It’s common that people feel embarrassed or ashamed about a reliance on alcohol but it’s surprisingly common with 1 in 12 men and 1 in 30 women showing signs of alcohol dependence.
Alcohol dependence is a scale and a person doesn’t need to be drinking extreme amounts to be dependant.
There are lots of support options out there. Many Employee Assistance Programs offer support for alcohol. There’s also Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon Family Groups, We Are With You among others, and of course, your GP. It might be a case of reviewing the options and looking at what options feels like the best for you. You can try out a support option and leave it if you decide it’s not for you.
But the important thing is taking that first step and having that first conversation to get the wheels in motion.
If someone you know is dependant on alcohol
1. Pick your time carefully
Choose to speak at a time when the person is not drinking and not stressed. Find somewhere quiet, where you won’t be interrupted and turn off distractions like phones.
2. What have you noticed?
Avoid listing things but you can name one or two things that you have noticed that has concerned you. Remember that this comes from a place of concern and caring, not judgement and accusations.
3. Don’t judge
It’s completely normal to feel a certain way about the behaviour of someone who is dependant, especially if their actions have caused harm to you and it is important to address that further down the line but right not it’s not the other person. Shelve judgements and respond to what is being said in that moment.
4. Don’t take negative reactions personally
It’s common for a person to feel embarrassed or ashamed and if they don’t believe they have a problem or aren’t ready to face up to it, yet they may get defensive. It can take multiple attempts before a conversation happens. Give time and space and try to be understanding.
5. Interventions are last ditch
Staging an intervention with family and friends confronting the person is an absolute last resort after all other avenues have been exhausted multiple times. Interventions use peer pressure and sometimes guilt to pressure a person into getting support. This can help to encourage them to get support, but they’re highly emotionally charged and if not done carefully, can do way more harm than good.
Weekly Wellbeing Tip
As you’re finishing work, write down everything you want to be reminded of in the morning. You’re less likely to worry or stress in between work shifts then.
