Trust staff have launched a brand new campaign to try to increase awareness of the risks caused by drinking more than the NHS limits. The initiative marks Alcohol Awareness Week, which runs from Monday 19 November.

Alcohol Adviser Elizabeth Burns said: "A December 2011 YouGov survey showed that most people in the North West are unaware of the serious illnesses that can be caused by drinking more than the limits advised by the NHS. For example, 85 per cent of people did not know that drinking more than the recommended limit of alcohol can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a few drinks with friends but it is important to find out if your drinking is putting you at risk of long-term health problems."

People can discover whether they are putting themselves at risk by carrying out a simple self-assessment or keeping an alcohol diary. The self-assessment test is available at www.nhs.uk/Livewell, while drink diaries can be found at my.drinkaware.co.uk.

The team have also put together some simple tips on cutting down on drinking:

• Avoid stocking-up on alcohol when you're doing the shopping. If it's in the house, you're more likely to drink it
• Avoid going to the pub straight after work or having a drink as soon as you get home
• Don't drink on an empty stomach - alcohol is absorbed into your system more slowly if you have eaten.
• Swap your usual for a smaller or lower strength drink, a soft drink or a cup of tea or coffee.
• Make a plan - set yourself a limit and stick to it
• Make sure you have at least two alcohol-free days each week
• Let your family and friends know you are trying to cut back
• Keep a drink diary or track your drinking online at my.drinkaware.co.uk
• When bored or stressed try to find other ways to wind down
• Don't hesitate to get extra support along the way to help you keep on track - text DRINK to 87085 for a free Drink Smart pack in the post (standard network rates apply)

The Trust's Public Health Development Service will be spreading these messages across Manchester during Alcohol Awareness Week to help people cut down on their drinking.

"People often focus on drinkers who are alcohol dependent or on those who binge-drink but we also want to inform people who might not know that drinking one or two glasses of wine a night is a long-term health risk," said Elizabeth.

Trust staff will be at the following venues over the next week:

• Monday 19 November - Ancoats Primary Care Centre, 9am to 5pm
• Tuesday 20 November - ASDA Sportcity Hulme, 9am to 12pm
• Tuesday 20 November - Tesco Gorton, 1p to 4pm
• Wednesday 21 November - ASDA Hulme, 9am to 1pm
• Thursday 22 November - Harpurhey Market, 10am to 2pm
• Friday 23 November - Wythenshawe Forum 10.30am to 12.30pm

For more information or to take part in any of the activities listed above, please contact:

Liz Burns

Please click on the PDF's below:

Alcohol Awareness Flyer - Find out if you need to cut back	Updated: 16/11/12	404KB
Alcohol Awareness Poster	Updated: 16/11/12	316KB
Alcohol Awareness Drink Diary	Updated: 16/11/12	464KB

A newspaper themed leaflet is now available promoting safer drinking in later life. In collaboration with our later life community mental health teams, the newspaper themed leaflet is intended to raise awareness of alcohol and its effects aimed specifically at individuals aged over 65.

It follows a series of training events attended by staff in our later life services as part of an initiative to help people quickly assess their drinking, find out the risk and get tips to help them cut down. An audit of service users of the Older Adult CMHT in North Manchester identified that 30% were consuming alcohol at risk levels to health. If you would like further information or would like to order copies of the new leaflet, please contact either Liz Burns.

To download a copy click here....

Safer drinking in later life

Updated: 17/02/12

660KB

Public Health Development Service new alcohol identification and brief advice toolkit is now available. Resources have been refreshed and revised for 2011/2012 in response to local needs.

• Alcohol self-test (AUDIT)
• Brief advice about alcohol risk visual aid
• Posters for display areas
• Staff guide to encouraging people to drink less

These resources aim to support staff to routinely carry out alcohol identification and brief advice in accordance with latest NICE guidance (Alcohol-use disorders: preventing the development of hazardous and harmful drinking). Please see resources section.

Click here for training options.