At Coventry GP, we understand that alcohol can sometimes begin to negatively affect physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships, work and day-to-day life.
Seeking help can feel difficult, but support is available and recovery is possible.
Whether you are worried about your own drinking or concerned about somebody close to you, our team is here to provide confidential, non-judgemental support and guidance.
Signs You May Need Support
You may benefit from support if:
- You regularly feel the need to drink alcohol
- You find it difficult to cut down
- Drinking is affecting your mood or sleep
- Alcohol is affecting relationships or work
- Other people have expressed concern about your drinking
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- You feel alcohol is becoming difficult to control
Many people struggle with alcohol at some stage in life, and asking for help is an important first step towards recovery.
Support
How Coventry GP Can Help
Our clinicians can:
- Discuss concerns about alcohol confidentially
- Assess alcohol dependence and health risks
- Provide advice on reducing alcohol safely
- Arrange blood tests or health reviews where appropriate
- Discuss medication support where suitable
- Refer patients to specialist alcohol services
- Support long-term recovery and wellbeing
We understand these conversations can feel difficult and will approach concerns sensitively and without judgement.
Support for Families and Carers
You Are Not Alone
Alcohol difficulties can affect partners, children, families and friends as well as the individual drinking alcohol.
Support services are also available for:
- Family members
- Carers
- PartnersConcerned relatives
Speaking to somebody about your concerns can help.
Important Safety Advice
Do Not Suddenly Stop Drinking Without Medical Advice
If your body has become dependent on alcohol, suddenly stopping drinking can sometimes be dangerous and may lead to serious withdrawal symptoms including:
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
If you think you may be alcohol dependent, please seek medical advice before attempting to stop drinking suddenly.
Alcohol and Your Health
Looking After Emotional Wellbeing
Alcohol and mental health are closely linked.
Some people use alcohol to cope with:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Sleep difficulties
However, alcohol can often worsen mental wellbeing over time.
Support is available for both alcohol difficulties and emotional wellbeing, and many people benefit from addressing both together.
Physical Health Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol Can Affect Many Areas of Health
Excess alcohol intake may increase the risk of:
- Liver disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Pancreatitis
- Depression and anxiety
- Certain cancers
- Memory and concentration problems
Reducing alcohol intake can lead to significant improvements in physical and mental wellbeing.
Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox Support
Specialist Support for Withdrawal
Some patients may require supervised alcohol detoxification or specialist treatment support.
Local specialist services can provide:
- Community detox support
- Residential rehabilitation access
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Ongoing recovery support
- Relapse prevention support
Specialist teams can also support patients with housing, employment and social wellbeing needs where appropriate.
Reducing Alcohol Intake
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Helpful steps may include:
- Having alcohol-free days
- Reducing the amount kept at home
- Tracking alcohol intake
- Avoiding drinking when stressed or low
- Seeking support early
- Speaking openly with trusted people
Many people find cutting down easier with professional support.
Caring for an alcoholic
If you’re a carer for a problem drinker, finding help can be a frustrating experience.
People who care for problem drinkers sometimes have to struggle to get the recognition and support they’re entitled to.
You have legal rights as a carer if you provide regular and substantial unpaid care for someone who may be entitled to community care services.
For example, you are entitled to a carer’s assessment and may be entitled to carers’ services (including breaks), whether or not the person you care for receives any services.
Carers who don’t meet their local authority’s criteria for getting support may still be able to get help from local voluntary services, such as Carers’ Centres. To find your local Carers’ Centre, go to the Carers Trust website.
Your wellbeing
The shame often associated with alcoholism, as well as denial, can be an obstacle to getting help.
Being a carer is hard work and, with so much to do, it can be difficult to find quality time for yourself.
Staying well and healthy increases your ability to look after someone. But no one can plan for every eventuality and we all get ill sometimes.
Read Taking care of yourself for ideas on keeping well, including advice on healthy eating, exercise, sleep and taking a break.
“If carers are not supported and their health suffers, who will support the person they are caring for? The health and social care system would not survive without carers’ support.”
Getting help
The first place to go to for support will depend on your circumstances, but Lindon advises contacting your council’s social services department or a local Carers’ Centre.
Carers’ Centres can help you get access to services and benefits through your local authority, and can give you information about other useful organisations.
Most carers have a legal right to an assessment of their needs. It’s your chance to discuss with your local authority’s social services department the help you need with caring.
Discuss what type of support will help you maintain your own health and enable you to balance caring with the other areas of your life, such as work and family.
Social services departments use the assessment to decide what help would be useful for you, although they’re not legally bound to provide this support. But the support they may provide includes benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance, and grants for breaks or to make caring easier.
Before your assessment, think carefully about what kind of support you and the person you care for need. You can get help with preparing for a carer’s assessment from NHS Choices or your local Carers’ Centre.
The benefits system is complex and it’s a good idea to get specialist advice about what you’re entitled to and how to fill in any claim forms. NHS Choices, alcohol support charities and carers’ organisations can help.
Important Message
Asking for Help is a Positive Step
Alcohol problems can affect anybody and support is available.
Recovery is possible, and many people successfully reduce or stop drinking with the right help and support.
If you are worried about alcohol use — for yourself or somebody else — please contact the practice or local support services.
Realising you have a problem with alcohol is the first step to getting better, but it is often the hardest one.
You may need help if:
- You always feel the need to have a drink.
- You get into trouble because of your drinking.
- Other people warn you about how much you’re drinking.
A good place to start is with your GP. Be honest with them about how much you drink.
If your body has become dependent on booze, stopping drinking overnight can be life-threatening, so get advice about cutting down gradually.
Your GP may refer you to a local community alcohol service. Ask about free local support groups, day-centre counselling and one-to-one counselling.