We’re talking about drinking this week, and in particular, the signs that you, or someone you know, may be over-reliant on alcohol. This isn’t a judgemental piece or anything like that. More a show that genuine help is out there, and people do want to help. • A need to drink to get through the day, or relax, or simply feel better• Hiding or lying about drinking• Regularly seeming to drink too much, getting drunk• Blacking out, and drinking so much that you forget just what you were doing, or have done• Withdrawal symptoms if you don’t drink• You think about drinking a lot when you’re not drinking• Drinking a lot when you’re by yourself Again, these symptoms may apply to you, to someone you know. But if you’re recognising them, then please: get some support, or try and find support for your friend. Alcoholism is a brutal disease, but thankfully, it is one that many people beat. Whether it’s a slight drinking problem, or an utter dependance on alcohol, there is a lot of support out there. Drinkaware, too, has information and advice on cutting down. You can find its resources here, again be it for you, or for someone you want to help: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/ And then the NHS has a host of resources, thoughts and ideas here: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/ One more option: why not drop a line in the comments below? As anonymous as the internet may feel sometimes, it’s human beings that type comments, and in our experience, lots of human beings want to help, are available to chat, and will respond in the comments. You stay awesome. Thanks, as always, for reading. Warm hugs to you all.
