We have launched a new alcohol support line to help residents understand their level of drinking and provide practical help and advice.
Launched on Monday, 7 July, the Medway Alcohol Support Line is a free and confidential tool people can use to explore their drinking habits and identify positive reasons for making a change.
The UK Chief Medical Officer advises that men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and data from the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities estimates that around 20% of adults in Medway drink more than the recommended 14 units.
This service aims to give residents in Medway who are worried about their drinking, or want to change how much they drink, the tools they need to make a positive change.
Through the service, residents will get six hour-long sessions of one-to-one support where they can look at their relationship with alcohol, set goals and discover reduction strategies.
You can be referred to the support line by your GP or by a health practitioner following a health check, or you can choose to self-refer.
Small changes can have a huge impact
Cllr Teresa Murray, Deputy Leader of Medway Council, said: “There is nothing wrong with enjoying an alcoholic drink in moderation, but what this new service aims to do is provide those who worry that they are developing a habit or dependency with a chance to step back and see how drinking alcohol could be impacting them in the long term.
“As with many things, making small changes can have a huge impact and can help prevent problems further down the line by nipping them in the bud. If you are someone who has been thinking about their relationship with alcohol recently, please get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable and professional team today.”
The service is for Medway residents who are 18-years-old and above.
Learn more about the Medway Alcohol Support Line, including how to get in touch with the team.
Find out more about other ways you can make small changes to look after yourself.