Drink Less
Drinking too much alcohol can put a serious strain on your health and your body. It takes your liver an hour to process one unit of alcohol. So having two or three drinks an hour overloads your system - which means your health could suffer. Drinking less could seriously help make you healthier.
Most people who suffer from health problems because of their drinking are not alcoholics, but rather are those who drink heavily over a number of years. Many suffer few immediate consequences of their drinking, but cumulatively it takes its toll.
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6,000 deaths from coronary heart disease in men each year are directly due to alcohol.
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400 of the 1,700 deaths from mouth cancer per year are linked to heavy drinking - that's nearly one in four.
As you get older, the risks increase. Not only is your body less able to process alcohol, but if you fall you are more likely to seriously injure yourself. See below for further information or start improving your health today by booking your free appointment with a Westminster Health Trainer.
Know your units:
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In north west London 20% of women and 26% of men exceed the recommended weekly alcohol consumption levels
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Try to drink no more than 2-3 units of alcohol a day (women) or 3-4 units a day (men)
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Take a look at the Department of Health's leaflet: How much is too much? Drinking and you.
Westminster Community Alcohol Service
Westminster Community Alcohol Service offers individual and group therapies to those affected directly or indirectly by alcohol misuse. It also offers support services for women, gay and bi-sexual men. There is an open access drop-in service on Monday to Friday from 9:30-12:00. This service covers Westminster. Call to find out more: 020 7534 6699
Useful Websites
Alcohol Concern - Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse campaigning for effective alcohol policy and improved services for people whose lives are affected by alcohol-related problem.
Alcoholics Anonymous - Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Drinkaware - Drinkaware is an independent, UK-wide charity, whose aim is to change the UK’s drinking habits for the better. They promote responsible drinking and find innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm.
Know Your Limits - This NHS website has been specifically designed to warn about the dangers of excess drinking and knowing your daily limits.
