Alcohol support
Stopping or drinking less alcohol can make a big difference to your health
Many people who cut down notice lots of benefits such as:
Short-term benefits:
- feeling better in the mornings
- being less tired and more energetic
- better-looking skin
- saving some money
Long-term benefits:
- lower blood pressure
- lower risk of stroke, hypertension, cancer and liver disease
- lower cholesterol levels
- better mood, memory and quality of sleep
- help with weight management
Tips to cut down on alcohol
Medical Warning
Get medical advice before you stop drinking alcohol if you have physical withdrawal symptoms (like shaking, sweating or feeling anxious until you have your first drink of the day). It can be dangerous to stop drinking too quickly without proper help.
Tips to help you cut down on alcohol
- Try at least two alcohol-free days every week
- Choose drinks that are lower in alcohol. Try lighter beers – under 4% ABV.
- Make it a smaller drink – e.g. drink a half pint instead of pint, swap a large glass of red wine for a small glass.
- Swap for non-alcoholic drinks – sparkling water, alcohol-free beer, or soft drinks.
- If you're bored or stressed, try being active instead of drinking.
- Have a plan and know your limits for social situations. A simple excuse, like needing to drive, can work well.
- Shake up your social plans. Instead of going for drinks with friends, try watching a movie, grabbing a coffee, or going for a walk.
DrinkCoach Tower Hamlets
Find out your alcohol risk with the DrinkCoach test
If you're not sure how risky your drinking is, you can take our online alcohol DrinkCoach test. It will give you personalised online advice and help you find out where to get support in Tower Hamlets. It’s free, only takes two minutes and is confidential.
Where to get support
Speak to your GP
For advice and support to cut down and control your drinking or to help stop completely. You may need help if:
- you often feel the need to have a drink
- you get into trouble because of your drinking
- other people warn you about how much you're drinking
- you think your drinking is causing you problems
RESET treatment and recovery support service
Integrated structured drug and alcohol treatment service for adults in Tower Hamlets
RESET Treatment Service (RTS) is the front door service to structured drug and alcohol treatment for residents aged 18 or over.
RTS supports residents, family and friends concerned about someone’s drug and/or alcohol use and provides help for people looking to stabilise or become free from their substance use.
This includes support with:
- long term recovery
- reducing harms associated with their drug and alcohol use, and
- access to residential rehabilitation.
Find us
183 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DN
Monday, Thursday (10am to 8pm), Tuesday and Friday (10am to 5pm), Wednesday (1 to 5pm)
71a Johnson Street, E1 0AQ
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (10am to 5pm), Wednesday (1 to 5pm)
RESET Recovery Support Service (RRSS)
RESET Recovery Support Service (RRSS) offers a wide range of one-to-one and group sessions to support residents and their family members, throughout and beyond treatment for their substance use.
Find us
The Alma, 41 Spelman Street, London, E1 5LQ
Opening times vary and based on group sessions. Contact RESET for more information.
Tel: 020 3889 9510
Email: reset.towerhamlets@cgl.org.uk
Any adult living in Tower Hamlets can make a referral online.
Download RESET's leaflet in English or Bengali.
Safe East (Compass UK)
Integrated Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Service
Safe East provides a specialist confidential service for young people aged 10-19 years who are misusing drugs and/or alcohol. All referrals must have the young person’s consent.
Safe East Clinical Hub
59 Mile End Road
Mile End
E1 4TT
Tel: 020 3954 0091
Email: compass.towerhamletsyphws@nhs.net
For more information about the service, opening hours and other venues, visit the Compass UK website.