Know your limit!

The Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership (OHADP) social media winter campaign has a focus on reminding individuals of the harms that can be caused by excessive alcohol use and how to keep yourself and others safe. Make sure you don’t overdo the drinking so you can enjoy your festive celebrations.

Scotland is facing a public health challenge with the highest level of alcohol related deaths in the UK, with 1,277 people who died of alcohol specific causes in 2023. This is the highest number since 2008.    

Too much alcohol can lead to a hangover, where you don’t feel good the next day and it may affect your work or unable to do other planned activities. Alcohol misuse can lead to high blood pressure, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis and affects your immune system, brain and nervous system.  Heavy and prolonged drinking also affects those close to you. Families can be affected by domestic violence, family breakdown and child neglect.  

Evidence tells us that adults who are low risk drinkers or do not drink have improved mental well-being than those who drink. Having a positive attitude towards alcohol can improve your overall health and wellbeing. You can do this by reducing the amount of alcohol you take. There are options for those that choose not to drink, such as mocktails, no or low alcoholic drinks or soft drinks, asking for smaller glasses of wine, or lower strength beers.  Pace yourself and eat before and whilst you drink.

For those that plan to drink alcohol, it is recommended that you don’t drink more than 14 units of alcohol each week. If you do intend to drink, you should consider spreading this evenly across the week rather than ‘bingeing' in one session. It can be easy to go over the 14 units, which can be six pints of beer, at 4% alcohol by volume (abv) or six medium glasses of 13% abv wine. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy the safest option is not to drink any alcohol. Why not check out the Count14 drinks calculator at https://www.count14.scot/#unit-calculator to monitor your drinking and be sure that you do not overdo the Christmas cheer.  

If you require emergency contraception, this is freely available from all pharmacists & GP practices. You have up to 72 hours, but it is more effective the earlier it is taken.

Further information on the risks of drinking too much and tips for cutting down is available on NHS Inform – https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol/the-risks-of-drinking-too-much

Local and national services are listed in the Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership Recovery Support Services Directory – Alcohol & Drug Services « Alcohol Drug Partnership.  

Keep an eye on NHS Western Isles’ social media pages for daily posts containing information on alcohol and drugs over Christmas and New Year.

And as always, make sure to plan your route home and most importantly when out with family or friends make sure to stay together so everyone gets home safely.