Alcohol awareness
Alcohol and sensible drinking
Alcohol is an addictive depressant drug and a major cause of illnesses such as liver cirrhosis, cancers and heart disease.
Alcohol affects people in different ways, and even a little bit of alcohol can change the way you behave. Alcohol can often make you feel more confident, which may mean you do things that you would not do when you are sober, things that could put you in danger or things that you may regret the next day.
Alcohol is often the cause of social problems, including social exclusion, unemployment, homelessness, violence, disorder, accidents and teenage pregnancy.
Visit the drink aware website to find out more about drinking responsibly.
Can you go 31 days without alcohol? Join in with Dry January for significant health benefits, including better sleep and weight loss. For hints, tips or more information, visit www.dryjanuary.org.uk.
Alcohol tracker app
Click here to visit NHS - One You to access a host of interactive tools to help you work out what units you are drinking.
How much is ok to drink?
Government guidelines recommend that:
- Women should not drink more than two to three units a day (remember, a large glass of wine = 3 units)
- Men should not drink more than three to four units a day (remember, a pint of beer or cider = 2.8 units)
Help for those who are worried about alcohol
If you are worried about your own or someone else's drinking there is a range of local help on hand.
Alcohol support services for adults (people aged 18 and over)
Matrix House, Friday St, Chorley, PR6 0AA
St Wilfreds Building, Fox St, Preston, PR1 2AB
Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, late night opening on Wednesdays until 7.30pm
Telephone: 08081 698 673
Alcohol support services for young people (aged under 18)
Urban Exchange, Mount Street, Preston, PR1 8BQ
Telephone: 01772 255307
Useful alcohol support and advice links
You can use the following links to get further help, support and advice related to alcohol or alcohol-related issues:
- Alcohol and sensible drinking on the NHS Choices website
- Alcohol Concern website
- Change4Life website