Good to Talk · Life gets bloody hard · Free. Always.
When a drink becomes the off switch
If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need urgent mental-health help but it is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental-health option.
A couple of drinks can feel like the quickest way to turn the volume down. The problem is when alcohol quietly becomes the main way you cope.
Notice the job alcohol is doing
Are you drinking for enjoyment, or to sleep, stop thinking, tolerate social situations, numb sadness or calm down after work? That distinction can tell you a lot.
Mood and alcohol can feed each other
Alcohol can worsen sleep and can contribute to low mood and anxiety for some people. Cutting down can be useful, but if you may be physically dependent, suddenly stopping can be dangerous and you should seek medical advice.
Get support without waiting for a label
You do not have to decide whether you're “an alcoholic” before asking for help. A GP or specialist alcohol service can help you assess what is happening safely.
You're not the only one
Sources & further reading
- NHS Every Mind Matters — life's challenges
- NHS Every Mind Matters — mental wellbeing tips
- NHS — mental health
Educational information, not a diagnosis. Where a problem involves money, gambling, alcohol, abuse, bereavement or another specialist issue, use an appropriate specialist service as well as mental-health support where needed.