Refer yourself to NHS drug and alcohol support services

Are you worried about your drinking?

Are you worried about your relationship with alcohol? Acknowledging you have a problem with drinking is the first step to getting help.

The UK Chief Medical Officer advises not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week (spread over several days and with at least a couple of alcohol-free days a week) on a regular basis, to keep health risks to a low level.

One unit means 10 ml of pure alcohol. But alcoholic drinks come in a variety of strengths and sizes, so it's not always easy to work out how many units you're drinking. A good guide is 14 units is equivalent to six pints of average strength beer, or six medium (175 ml) glasses of average strength wine a week.

A lot of people don't know how much they're drinking, if it's within the recommended limits and whether they should take action. DrinkAware has a self-assessment tool that may give you an idea of your drinking habits and what to do next.

Your drinking may be a problem if:

• You find yourself 'needing' an alcoholic drink.

• You get into trouble because of your drinking.

• Other people are concerned about your drinking.

• You think alcohol is causing you problems.

If one or more of these bullets apply to you, it's a good idea to visit your GP. They'll be able to suggest the different types of assessment and alcohol support options available to you.

Speaking with your doctor is especially important if you have become physically dependent on alcohol because stopping overnight could be harmful. You may need medication to do this safely.

If this doesn't apply to you, or you don't want to make an appointment with your GP, there may be alcohol support services in your local area you can access without being referred. Check the links below.

Perhaps you've realised that you're not in full control of your drug use, and it's causing problems in your life? If you have a problem with drug addiction, remember, you're not on your own. You're entitled to NHS care just like everybody else, and there are lots of support services to help you.

It's not just recreational drugs that can cause trouble; prescription or over-the-counter tablets can also lead to dependency issues too. If you find you've been hiding the number of pills you're taking or lying about your symptoms to obtain more medication, you need support.

Your GP is a good place to start if you're unsure how to get help. They can discuss your problems with you confidentially and find a treatment to get you drug-free.

But if you're not comfortable talking with your doctor, you can approach your local drug treatment service yourself, without a referral. You can use the links below if you know which city or Integrated Care Board (ICB) your GP is in.

If you are not sure which ICB you live in, you can find out by entering your postcode in this tool.

Motiv8 is a charity which provides services for people seeking help for drug and alcohol problems on the Isle of Man.

Jersey (alcohol)

Jersey (alcohol and drugs)

Ayrshire and Arran

Borders

Dumfries & Galloway

Fife does currently offer self-referral for drug and alcohol problems. They have a website page which explains what services are available and how you can access them. Your first port of call would usually be your GP.

Forth Valley

Grampian

Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Highland

Lanarkshire South

Lanarkshire North

Lothian

Midlothian

Orkney

Shetland

Tayside

West Lothian

Western Isles

NIDirect gives details of different services available across Northern Ireland, including how you can access them.

Belfast Trust services

Northern Trust services

South Eastern Trust services

Southern Trust services

Western Trust services

There are also services available if you're being affected by someone else's alcohol or drug taking.