CUTTING DOWN – TIPS TO STAY ON TRACK
Support for drinking too much
If your drinking is at the high risk level we strongly advise you to cut down on your drinking and possibly to stop drinking for a short while or completely.
This is a decision best made after some thought and discussion. It is best to talk your decision through with someone. This could be your partner, a friend, your Doctor, a member of your family or a counsellor.
A healthcare professional (such as a nurse, GP or counsellor) can give you more advice about how to cut down or stop.
Counselling can be particulalry helpful, or even just a one-off consultation with a healthcare worker. They can also refer you to other services if needed.
Some options for receiving further advice
Telephone - Drinkline
This is the national Telephone Helpline for anyone concerned about their drinking - Tel. 0800 917 8282 - Information and self-help materials, help to callers worried about their own drinking, support to the family and friends of people who are drinking, advice to callers on where to go for help
Face to face - Local alcohol services
Your local alcohol support service can advise you about your own or someone else's drinking.
Kingston Wellbeing Service, Surbiton Health Centre, Ewell Rd, Surbiton, KT6 6EZ
Tel. 020 8274 3051
Email Kingston.wellbeingservice@nhs.net
Addiction Support and Care Agency (ASCA), Kingston - 96 Ditton Rd , Surbiton KT6 6RH
Tel. 020 8339 9899
The Young People’s Substance Misuse Service – 020 8547 6920 email sms@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
In a group - Self Help Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its "12-step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.
Smart Recovery UK is also a network of free self-help groups. It believes change comes about through motivation, behavior change and self-learning.
Al-Anon Family Groups offer support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they're still drinking or not.
Online - Self-help
We can recommend an online self-help programme developed by Doctors at University College London available for anyone who wants to cut down or stop. Just go to Down Your Drink to find out more.
Online Information - Change for Life
Information on a healthier relationship to drinking from Change 4 Life - an excellent website from the Department of Health on keeping yourself healthy
NHS Information on alcohol
Detailed advice on alcohol and health from NHS Live Well
Drinkaware
The Drinkaware website aims to increase awareness and understanding of the role of alcohol in society, enabling individuals to make informed choices about their drinking.