The Government has launched the latest phase of its Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy, Know Your Limits, which aims to warn 18-24 year olds of the risks associated with excessive drinking.
The NHS recommended daily limits for alcohol consumption are as follows: Men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day and women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day. Consistently drinking 4 or more units for men (and 3 or more for women) is not advised because of the progressive health risk it carries. In addition, women who are trying to conceive, or at any stage of pregnancy, should not drink more than 1-2 units once or twice a week and should avoid getting drunk.
As well as supporting the Government’s national campaign through raising awareness of the recommended guidelines, there are many local initiatives taking place in Doncaster which aim to reduce alcohol related illnesses and crime these include:
You can help prevent alcohol related illness and alcohol fuelled crime through knowing and watching your limits.
However, if you are concerned about your own or someone else's drinking you can contact Doncaster Alcohol Services.
Doncaster Alcohol Service is based at 19 Hallgate, near the town centre. Anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s drinking, can contact them by phone, in person, or via their GP, to see what services might best meet their needs.
Assessment
Walk in assessments take place on Tuesday mornings between 10.00am and 12.30pm, or a specific appointment can be made at a time or day to suit. Assessment provides the opportunity to discuss, without pressure, what’s going on, where alcohol fits in to the larger picture, and what services from all that are available might be most suitable. These could include:
Counselling
Counsellors meet with their client, on a one-to-one basis, to talk through the problems relating to drinking, as well as discussing ways of changing the drinking itself. It is up to the client to decide what changes they want to make, the counsellor’s role is to guide them through a process that will help clarify what the problems are, what the options might be, and how they might put a plan in place to carry through their decisions. Usually someone will see a counsellor on a regular basis over a period of time and appointments are available during the day as well as evenings.
Options Day Service
The Options group is a chance for people with alcohol-related problems to meet together on an informal basis. It provides a social setting away from pressures to drink. It provides support and a chance to get to know other people, as well as a chance to talk things over either with other members, or with staff.
A series of social activities take place, and each person chooses what they want to take part in and how often they want to attend. The main activities are:
• Coffee Slot - An opportunity to meet with others informally over a coffee, to keep in touch and to talk things over with others who know the score. There is a coffee slot every week day.
• Complementary therapies - A number of complementary therapies are available through the Options day service. They include Indian Head Massage, Reiki and reflexology. All of them are pleasant to take part in, and help with anxiety, wellbeing, and aid sleep. An acupuncture clinic takes place regularly. Fine needles are placed in the ear, and this can be helpful with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, and poor sleep patterns. It can also help people to relax.
• Groups - Groups are run on a number of themes related to boosting the skills that enable people to maintain a change in their drinking. Groups available include those that help with anxiety, managing anger, relapse prevention, positive thinking, speaking assertively and maintaining willpower. There are also opportunities to take part in drama, creative writing and discussion groups.
Fulwood Residential Project
Fulwood aims to help men and women who want to achieve and maintain an abstinent lifestyle, and who need a period away from the environment where they have been drinking in order to do this. It offers a programme that helps residents to regain control and support, both while living at the house, and in the all-important stage when they move on. Further Support can be provided to help people when they progress to maintain their own tenancy in the community
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA holds regular meetings on DAS premises, including Tuesdays and Fridays, between 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Its members, who have all experienced alcohol problems themselves, provide support and help to anyone who wishes to stop drinking. The main office can give information about other meetings in Doncaster
Referral
Staff can refer clients to other services they may need to help them address their drinking. This may include referral to the Community Alcohol Team for assessment for detox or Antabuse.
Contact Details:
Doncaster Alcohol Services (DAS)
19 Hallgate
Doncaster
DN1 3NA
Telephone: (01302) 368705
Fax: (01302) 739669
