Alcohol is a problem
There are close links between alcohol and mental health. Alcohol can affect your mood, thoughts and behaviour by disrupting the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain – chemical changes which can initially induce feelings of relaxation but can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, which in turn can make you want to drink more and lead to alcohol dependency.
There is a strong link between regular heavy drinking and suicidal thoughts, attempts and deaths by suicide.
If you feel that alcohol is affecting your mental health, we recommend you talk to your GP, who can refer you to your local NHS drug and alcohol services.
Here are some additional resources we hope you will find helpful:
Al-Anon – Family Groups UK and Eire members are provided with opportunities to listen to similar stories and shared experiences of others, which help them find the confidence to deal with the effects of someone else’s drinking. Al-Anon has more than 700 groups throughout the UK and Eire alone. Meetings can also be accessed online, which are organised by the World Service Office (WSO) and accessible via the US website .
Alcoholics Anonymous – Great Britain and English Speaker Continental Europe – focuses solely on the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to the Fellowship for help. AA could be for you if you seem to be having trouble with your drinking, or if your drinking has reached the point of where it worries you. To find out more about Alcoholics Anonymous and the AA programme of recovery from alcoholism, visit their website here.
Alcohol Change UK: Alcohol harms. Time for change – raises awareness of the impact of alcohol misuse and provides guidance for those supporting someone who is a problem drinker.
with you – helps individuals, families and communities deal with the effects of drug and alcohol misuse
Nacoa – (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) is a free, confidential helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and those concerned for their welfare. Telephone directly: 0800 358 3456
Rehab 4 Addiction offers a wealth of resources and information about addiction and mental health and provide a helpline that offers immediate assistance and a lifeline in some cases, to those struggling with addiction.
There is also a comprehensive directory of treatment centres throughout the UK, making it easier for those in need to find help near them.
Adfam is a national charity supporting families of drug and alcohol users, and gamblers
Musgrove and Ball work with organisations and deliver talks to help educate employees on how to spot addiction in the workplace and how to approach someone who may be struggling
