Alcohol Let’s Talk

Posted: 11/06/24

Logo for the Alcohol let's talk campaign. A blue speech bubble with white text. Group photograph of 6 CNTW staff members, logos for Alcohol Lets Talk campaign overlaid on top in blue

Join us this July to raise awareness around alcohol consumption in our region. Our aim is to open up an honest dialogue with our patients about alcohol and the very real risks it can lead to.

Adults are recommended not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week, roughly 6 pints of normal strength beer or lager or 6 medium glasses of wine as a guide.

We are encouraging our team to offer advice to service users today, to help prevent an alcohol-related illness tomorrow. When people are more aware of their drinking, the sooner they can make simple steps to prevent alcohol related illness in the future – including cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Let’s start the conversation today.

A graphic showing the number of units in common alcoholic drinks. A pint of regular beer lager or cider is 2 units. A pint of premium beer lager or cider is 3 units. An alcopop or can or bottle of regular lager is 1 1/2 units. A can of premium lager or strong beer is 2 units. A can of super strength lager is 4 units. A 175ML glass of wine is 2 units. A bottle of wine 75 centilitres is 9 units.

Download the campaign resources:

Alcohol let's talk - A4 poster

Alcohol let's talk - A6 postcard

Alcohol let's talk - Wallet card

Alcohol let's talk - Email signature banner

Alcohol let's talk - Screensaver

For more information about the campaign contact [email protected]

Training

Access free training to learn more about alcohol studies and how to make every contact count here.

Awareness session

Missed our awareness session? You can view all presentation slides here.

Alcohol Support Services

Alcohol support services | North East and North Cumbria NHS (northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk)

Staff can find information on local services to get help, advice and support on the intranet.  ​​​​​​​Search ‘Alcohol Support Services’

Self Help Guide

Our ‘Alcohol and You’ self-help guide may be useful if you think you may have a problem with drinking or are worried about someone else’s drinking. It will help you explore your drinking habits, and explain some ways that you can change them if you want to using ideas based on science. It also has advice on where to seek further help if you need to.

Free and Confidential Alcohol Support for Health and Social Care Staff

A new programme has launched for colleagues across the North East and North Cumbria.

The introduction of DrinkCoach enables all staff to access a completely confidential and simple-to-use platform, and makes use of the DrinkCoach Two Minute Test to evaluate and help you better understand your drinking and the associated risks, as well as access further support where needed.

DrinkCoach users can track the units, cost and calories of their drinking; create personalised plans to better manage intake and receive signposting to local support services. Those who are identified as being at risk through the two-minute test will be able to access an online session with a DrinkCoach, and will be assisted with accessing suitable support. Amongst the support available is free access to a confidential 1:1 online coaching programme with qualified alcohol treatment specialists.

To begin your DrinkCoach journey, please take the two-minute alcohol test.

A graphic advertising the two-minute alcohol test. The North East and N Cumbria NHS logo is in the top right. There is a QR code on the left which takes you to the alcohol test link in the text above. A photo of a group of healthcare staff in pink uniforms who are holding a banner and waving their hands; the banner says "worried about alcohol? Access free confidential advice and support from drink coach". The rest of the text on the graphic says: access free and confidential alcohol support, an offer provided by NENC ICS for all health and social care colleagues. Take the two minute alcohol test to learn more about your drinking! Track your units, cost and calories, create a personalised plan, receive signposting to local support and access coaching sessions with alcohol training specialists.

Useful contacts

Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.

Al-Anon Family Groups offers support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they’re still drinking or not. Alateen is part of Al-Anon and can be attended by 12- to 17-year-olds who are affected by another person’s drinking, usually a parent.

We Are With You is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse. If you are over 50 and worried about your drinking, call 0808 8010 750

Adfam is a national charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and a database of local support groups.

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned about their welfare. Call 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline.

SMART Recovery groups help people decide whether they have a problem, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.

Caring for someone with alcohol or substance misuse issues? Find out here where you can get support.