Alcohol and Wellbeing

It is easy to drink too much without realising it – or the impact it has on our health and wellbeing, both now and in the longer term. Take this quiz to check on how much alcohol you’re drinking. It only takes a few minutes! 

When we drink alcohol, it has an impact on our health and wellbeing. From headaches, poor quality sleep or feeling ‘off’ the next day, to high blood pressure, anxiety and cancer, the wide-ranging impacts affect so many of us, and that’s why we need clearer information and better regulation around how alcohol is promoted.

What do the low risk drinking guidelines say?

All adults are advised not to drink more than 14 units per week to keep health risks to a low level - use this unit calculator to find out how many units are in a particular drink. 

If you do drink as much as 14 units a week, it is best to spread it over three days or more during the week.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all.

Feeling better

By cutting down on alcohol it’ll improve your overall health in both the short and long-term, and will help you to:

• feel more energetic
• sleep better
• manage your weight more easily
• lower blood pressure
• lower your risk of developing a range of illnesses, such as heart disease and breast cancer

Support with alcohol

If you’re concerned about your drinking, or a friend/family member’s drinking, there’s help available at whatever level it might be needed. 

CYC Health Trainers

City of York Council Health Trainers offer free support to help you make the changes you want to see, whether that be in relation to alcohol, healthy eating, stopping smoking or getting more active.

For more details, see: CYC Health Trainers – City of York Council or request an appointment.

New Ways

The New Ways team is on hand to support you if you are concerned about how much alcohol you’re drinking and want support to make changes but don’t need treatment for physical dependence to alcohol. You can access up to 10 support sessions close to your home / work or online to help you make the changes you want to see. New Ways is funded by City of York Council.

To find out more or request an appointment, get in touch via the online form or contact the New Ways team:

• t: 01904 464 680
• e: NewWaysYork@cgl.org.uk

Or see help for drugs and alcohol use for details about the whole range of support on offer in York, including if you are affected by a family member’s drinking.

If you work or volunteer in York and want to feel better equipped to have conversations about alcohol with patients, customers, clients or team members, you may be interested in City of York Council’s Brief Conversations about Alcohol training. It’s free of charge for anyone working with York residents and packed with information and skills that you will find useful in all sorts of contexts.