Alcohol and your wellbeing

Many people have found themselves drinking more during the pandemic, however, it is more important than ever before to look after our mental wellbeing and physical health, and cutting back on alcohol can help us do that.

Regularly drinking alcohol affects the chemistry of the brain and can increase the risk of depression. Increased consumption can also affect our sleep, make us feel more tired and sluggish, and trap people in a cycle of feeling low and more anxious as well as increasing our risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

The Chief Medical Officer recommends that to keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis – see how many units you drink here: Units explained – Reduce My Risk.

If you are concerned about how much you or someone you know drinks there’s lots of help out there. You can speak to your GP, find your local alcohol support service on www.meccgateway.co.uk/nenc/services/Alcohol or contact the confidential Drinkline Freephone on 0300 123 1110.

For hints, tips and advice on alcohol and how it can affect your mental and physical health see Tips, advice and real stories – Reduce My Risk

For tools to help manage your alcohol consumption see: Support – Reduce My Risk