Useful Links

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Other organisations who provide useful information:

Addaction

UK wide treatment agency, helping individuals, families and communities to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.

www.addaction.org.uk 

ADFAM

Information and advice for families of alcohol and drug users. The website has a list of local family support services.

Call 020 7553 7640 or visit www.adfam.org.uk 

Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain

The British branch of this worldwide network, AA is an organisation of men and women who share their experience with each other hoping to solve their problems and help others to recover from alcoholism.

www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Al-Anon

Al-Anon is worldwide and offers support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.

Confidential Helpline 0207 40 30 888 open 10 am - 10pm or visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk

Alcohol Concern

The national agency on alcohol misuse for England and Wales.

Provides general information about alcohol, and can help put you in touch with your nearest alcohol advice centre.

Call 020 7928 7377 or visit www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

Alcohol Focus Scotland

Scotland's national voluntary organisation. Provides information and advice on responsible drinking.

Call 0141 572 6700 or visit www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Action on Addiction

This organisation takes action to disarm addiction through its research, treatment, family support, education and training.

Call 0845 126 4130 or visit www.actiononaddiction.org.uk

British Liver Trust

The national charity for adults with liver disease. The Trust campaigns to highlight the problem of liver disease in the UK, runs a helpline (0800 652 7330) and has set up a website at www.britishlivertrust.org.uk

Brook

Free, confidential advice on sex for young people . Call 0800 185 023 or visit www.brook.org.uk

Chief Medical Officer - Consultation on children, young people and alcohol

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has produced official guidance to help parents protect their children from the harms associated with early alcohol use. You can read the full consultation on children, young people and alcohol - and have your say on the subject - on the Department for Children, Schools, and Families website.

www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=consultationDetails&consultationId=1579&external=no&menu=1

Down Your Drink

An online self-help programme for anyone worried about their drinking; confidential, free and accessible 24 hours a day.

www.downyourdrink.org.uk

Drinkline

If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence. They can put you in touch with your local alcohol advice centre for help and advice.

Call 0800 917 8282 (open 24 hours)

Drinksafely

The Drinksafely website covers both the positive and negative health aspects of alcohol.

The website contains the Drinkulator traffic light drink calculator, which allows you to check if your drinking puts you at risk.

www.liverinfo.org.uk

Family Planning Association

Family Planning Association (fpa)  is the UK's leading sexual health charity. Their website has a wide range of high quality, up-to-date information on sexual health issues including contraception, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy.

www.fpa.org.uk

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Trust

Information for parents of children with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
www.fasdtrust.co.uk

Health Development Agency

Health information websites for young people.

www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk
www.lifebytes.gov.uk

Liver Good Life

Educational website and animations aimed at young people about liver health and disease prevention.

www.livergoodlife.com

National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

This organisation offers a helpline, newsletter, information and we run a support group for families.

www.nofas-uk.org

NHS Choices - Know Your Units

This site provides advice and information on alcohol units, and how alcohol affects the body. It is the home of the DrinkCheck tool which enables you to assess your drinking. http://units.nhs.uk/

Parentline Plus

A freephone helpline, Parentline also run parenting courses.

Call 0808 800 2222 or visit www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Samaritans

Provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicide.  You can ring the phone line on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org (they try their hardest to get back to you within 24 hours).

Tacade

This site provides information about a range of publications, training and consultancy products and services that aim to enable children and young people to achieve positive changes in their knowledge, attitudes, abilities, choices and behaviour.

www.tacade.com

Talk to Frank

National drugs awareness site for young people and parents/carers.

www.talktofrank.com

The Recovery Network (TRN)

An area of this online social networking community website is dedicated to helping and supporting people affected by alcohol addiction. Members are able to remain anonymous and join online discussion forums, post video or text blogs, use the chat rooms either via voice, webcam or text.

http://www.trntv.co.uk/addictions/alcohol/

 

Page last updated by
Matthew Bateman, 29 May 2009.
Page checked on
18 Sep 2008
 
Ask an expert

Everyday drinking concerns

Whilst not dependent on alcohol, my dad drinks alcohol every day. Should I be concerned?

Our expert says:

The first thing to point out is that advice from the Chief Medical Officer is that you should have at least two alcohol free days per week. This gives your liver a chance to properly metabolise the alcohol and recover from what is a potentially toxic substance. Your dad should therefore try to cut back on the frequency of his alcoholic intake, in order to ensure his liver continues to function well.

Secondly, it very much depends on how much he is drinking each day. The safe daily guidelines for men have been set at 3-4 units; this is the equivalent of 1½- 2 pints of 5% beer/lager, or a large glass (250ml) of 12% wine. Drinking more than this can significantly increase your chance of developing cirrhosis of the liver, oral cancers, high blood pressure and of having a haemorrhagic stroke.

If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking then you can contact Drinkline on 0800 917 8282. (Drinkline is a 24 hour confidential helpline run by fully trained advisers, who can also advise you on services in your local area).

For more information on the links between excessive alcohol consumption and different conditions please see our factsheet pages.

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