A Guide to looking at
your Drinking
THCAT SERVICES
0800 008 7200
22 Skylines Village,
Limeharbour,
Docklands,
E14 9TS
www.rapt-thcat.org.uk
Where to get help
THCAT is an alcohol service based in Tower Hamlets which offers advice and information to
residents of Tower Hamlets who are 18 or over about alcohol and associated problems.
What Type of Drinker are you?
Dependant Drinker – people who are showing signs of alcohol addiction.
Harmful Drinker – Heavy Drinkers who are causing themselves harm
(mental or physical) but not yet dependant.
Hazardous Drinkers – People who are putting themselves at risk of harm
but this may not yet have impacted on them, their family or community.
Safer Drinking - Drinking at either recommended levels or below
Drop in
Service
Wednesday:
WE PROVIDE:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Brief interventions
Drop-in sessions
Comprehensive assessment & Care planning
2pm - 4pm
1:1/ Key work sessions
Thursday:
Psychosocial structured group work packages
10am – 1pm
Community detox
Pathways into residential treatment
•
Counselling
•
Peer support
•
Mutual Aid: AA & SMART Recovery
•
Fam Anon/ Carer’s group
•
ETE/ Benefits and housing support
• Onward referrals
For up to date information on what we offer please call THCAT on 0207 093 2669
THCAT: 22 Skylines Village, Docklands, E14 9TS T: 0207 093 2669
F: 0207 987 2721 E: newalcoholservice@rapt.org.uk
KNOW YOUR UNITS
Risk
Women
Common
Effects
Lower Risk No more than
3-4 units per
day on a
regular basis
No more than 2-3
units per day on a
regular basis

Increasing
Risk
More than 2-3
units per day on a
regular basis



More than 6 units
per day on a
regular basis or
more than 35
units per week





Higher
Risk
Men
More than 3-4
units per day
on a regular
basis
More than 8
units per day
on a regular
basis or more
than 50 units
per week





Increased
relaxation
Sociability
Reduced risk
of heart
disease
Low energy
Memory loss
Relationship
Problems
Depression
Insomnia
Impotence
Injury
Alcohol
dependence
High blood
pressure
Liver disease
cancer
There are times when you will be at risk even after 1 or 2 units i.e. with
strenuous exercise, operating heavy machinery, driving or if you are on
certain medication.
If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, it is recommended that you
avoid drinking alcohol.
Central Nervous System
(Brain & Spinal Cord)

Impaired senses – vision,
hearing dulled smell,
decreased pain perception
Altered sense of time &
space
Impaired motor skills, slow
reaction
Impaired judgement,
confusion
Hallucinations
Fits, blackouts
Tingling & loss of sensation
in hands & feet






Circulatory System




High blood pressure
Irregular heartbeat
Damage to heart muscle
Increased risk of heart
attack & stroke
Gastrointestinal
System




Stomach lining
inflamed &
irritated
Ulcers
Loss of appetite,
nausea, diarrhoea
cancer
Liver





Swollen, painful
Cirrhosis
Cancer
Fluid build up
Liver failure, coma & death
Pancreas

Painful, inflamed
bleeding
General Body



Weight gain
Headaches
Muscle weakness
Pregnancy & Babies

Fetal alcohol syndrome/fetal
alcohol effects – small head,
possible brain damage,
retarded growth &
development
Reproductive System (Male
& Female)






Reduced fertility
Impaired sexual
performance
Decreased sperm count
Increased breast cancer risk
(females)
Early onset menopause
Irregular menstrual cycle
The Benefits of Cutting Down:
Psychological/Social/Financial




Improved Mood
Improved Relationships
Reduced Risks Of Drink Driving
Save Money
Physical











Sleep Better
More Energy
Lose Weight
No Hangovers
Reduced Risk Of Injury
Improved Memory
Better Physical Shape
Reduced Risk Of High Blood Pressure
Reduced Risk Of Cancer
Reduced Risk Of Liver Disease
Reduced Risk Of Brain Damage
Making your plan






When you’re bored or
stressed have a
workout instead of
drinking
Avoid going to the
pub after work
Plan activities & task
at those times you
would usually drink
Have your first drink
after starting to eat
Avoid drinking in
rounds or large
groups
Switch to low alcohol
beer/lager
What targets should you aim for?
Men: Should not drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day
Women: Should not drink more than 2 -3 units of alcohol a day
“Regularly” means drinking every day or most days of the week.
You should also take a break for 48 hours after a heavy session to
let your body recover.
Helpline Contact Details:
AA – 0845 769 755
www.alcoholics-anoymous.org.uk
NA – 0300 999 1212
www.ukna.org.uk
CA – 0800 612 0225
www.cauk.org.uk
AL ANON – 0207 403 0888
www.al-anonuk.org.uk
FAM ANON – 0845 120 0660
www.famanon.org.uk
SAMARATIANS – 0845 790 9090
www.samaratians.org
DRINKLINE – 0800 917 8282
NHS Choices Alcohol Pages
www.nhs.uk/livewell/Alcohol
Down you drink
www.downyourdrink.org.uk
Drinkaware
www.drinkaware.co.uk
www.alcohollearningcentre.org.uk
www.alcoholacademy.net
Audit C Questions
How often do you have a drink
containing alcohol?
How many units do you drink on a
typical day when you are drinking?
How often have you had 6 or more
units if female, or 8 or more unit if
male, on a single occasion in the
last year?
Total:
Monthly
or less
1
5-6
2-4 times
per
month
2
Weekly
7-9
2-3 time
per week
3
Daily or
almost
daily
10+
4+ times
per week
4
Scoring System
Never
3-4
Monthly
0
1-2
Less than
Monthly
Never
A score of less than 5 indicates lower risk drinking.
Scores of 5+ require a full Audit to be completed.
Your
Score