Alcohol, drugs & gambling
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Alcohol
Alcohol is popularly consumed in Northern Ireland as the drug of choice. Many of us enjoy a drink when at home or out with friends, but we need to be aware of the affect that alcohol can have on us and those around us. Many people might use alcohol to relax, but, instead of helping us to cope, excess amounts can have an immediate negative impact on our lives. It is therefore important that people start to understand their drinking behaviour and explore their relationship with alcohol. We need to be careful how we use alcohol.
The recommendation is that both men and women drink no more than 14 units per week. If you do drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread this evenly over three days or more. You can't ‘save up’ your units for a particular day or a party.
Drinking too much can seriously affect our health and a good starting point is to look at how much you do drink.
- Complete the alcohol MOT questionnaire to check if your alcohol intake is putting your health at risk.
- Learn how many units are in your chosen drink – visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info and download the ‘Know Your Units’ app.
Further information:
Visit the Northern Ireland Drugs and Alcohol Coordination Teams Connections Services (NIDACTS) Directory of Services for details of the Support Services in Northern Ireland
www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/focus-alcohol
www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/you-your-child-and-alcohol
Drugs
Drug use occurs in all classes and communities even though the drugs used and the way they are used varies from area to area. People take drugs for a wide range of reasons such as to feel more confident and excited. Others use drugs to relax and possibly to forget about their problems and possibly to numb pain whether physical or emotional. The effect of drugs depends on the type of drug taken.
There are a number of risks from taking drugs and if you are worried about someone you know and suspect that they may be taking drugs there are a number of organisations which offer support and help for those concerned about drugs or alcohol issues, as well as offering a variety of education programmes for young people and adults on alcohol and drugs.
Mixing alcohol with other drugs
When you take alcohol with another drug, there is interaction in your body where one drug alters the other drug’s effects. Mixing alcohol with other drugs can be unpredictable and dangerous. If you take alcohol with other drugs, the effects could be nausea, illness or death.
www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/mixing-reduce-your-risk-harm
www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/mixing-alcohol-other-drugs
For further information visit:
www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/new-psychoactive-substances-factsheet
www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/needle-and-syringe-exchange-scheme
Support Services in the Southern Trust area (Alcohol and Drugs)
services.drugsandalcoholni.info
www.southerntrust.hscni.net/services/1562.htm
www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/Mental_Health_Z_Card_SouthernArea_2018_final.pdf
Drug and alcohol awareness training
The Public Health Agency fund Start 360, under the CONNECTIONS Service, to deliver drug and alcohol awareness sessions for a range of organisations across the Southern Trust locality including community organisations, schools and business. The one hour drug and alcohol awareness sessions are age specific and free at point of delivery.
For more information contact: CONNECTIONS Tel: (028) 3832 2714
Address: Start 360, Mount Zion House Flat 9, Edward Street, Lurgan BT66 6DB.
Gambling
The effects of addiction to gambling can be devastating to the individual as well as their family, friends, workplace and community. Gambling addiction is linked to a range of personal and social issues including; depression and suicide, bankruptcy, family breakup, domestic abuse, assault, fraud, theft, and homelessness.
People with gambling problems may cover up or lie when asked where they have been, or where money has gone. This makes problem gambling hard to identify. Families often know something is wrong — but not what is wrong. You could be living or working with a compulsive gambler and not know it until the problems are out of control.
Counselling is the first step to regaining control of the problems that gambling has caused, and is the best way to find a long-term solution. Free treatment, including counseling, is available to anyone affected by gambling, including family members.
Local Support Service - Gambling
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust Early Intervention Service offers support for individuals and their families who are concerned about the impact of gambling and/or substance misuse in their lives. The Early Intervention Service aims to provide a non-judgemental accessible service to people in the Southern Trust area to address the harmful effects of gambling and/or substance misuse via one to one sessions, group and family support. Families affected by gambling, drugs and alcohol misuse in the Southern Trust area can independently avail of support even if their loved one does not want to engage in the service. Request a referral from your GP or key worker. You can also self-refer by contacting the Southern Trust Addiction Team and ask for the Early Intervention Services Tel (028) 3756 4513 or Email: community.addictions@southerntrust.hscni.net
DUNLEWEY Addiction Services specialise in counselling, training and support services in the field of addiction. DUNLEWEY Gambling Support Service provides a confidential helpline throughout Ireland. DUNLEWEY can offer; emotional support, advice, information and referral to counselling, for people experiencing problems with their gambling, and family members and friends affected by gambling. The counselling service is for adults over 18 who are directly or indirectly affected by problem gambling issues.
Freephone: NI Helpline Number: 0800 088 6725 (ROI Helpline Number: 1800 936 725)
DUNLEWEY Portadown Branch Tel: (028) 9039 2547 Email: admin@dunlewey.org
Gamblers Anonymous offers various help people with difficulties of compulsive gambling including a Forum, Chat room, literature and of course most importantly a meeting finder. Gamblers Anonymous meetings take place in; Lurgan, Dungannon and Armagh. For more information contact: Pat Christie Mobile: 07768 506 554 Email: pat.christie@yahoo.co.uk
Davina’s Ark (based in 22 Kilmorey Street, Newry) provides ‘client centred care approach’ for the person in alcohol, drug or behavioural addiction. For more information Tel: (028) 3027 9407 Email: info@davinasark.org.uk
Breakthru provide alcohol, drug and gambling awareness programmes and support within the Midulster Council areas of Coalisland, Dungannon and Omagh. For more information Tel: (028) 8775 3228
UK National Gambling Online Support Service:
Gamblers Anonymous offers support for people with gambling addictions - www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
GamCare is a national free helpline T: 0808 8020 133 offering advice, information and support for people experiencing gambling problems - www.gamcare.org.uk/
Republic of Ireland Support Service
Problem Gambling Ireland provide some independent support and resources to anyone whose life has been negatively impacted by problem gambling. For more information telephone 00353 8992 415 401 or Email info@problemgambling.ie
Pregnancy and alcohol
Congratulations, you're pregnant! It is important to realise that everything you eat and drink influences your baby’s development, and that includes alcohol and recreational drug use.
This section offers you some tools and information to help you consider the risk of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and decide what’s best for you and your baby.
Assessing your alcohol intake
Use this quick test to assess your alcohol use and the impact on your health and your baby. Complete the alcohol MOT questionnaire to check if your alcohol intake is putting your health at risk. Alternatively complete the alcohol audit on the Alcohol and You website
If your MOT/ Audit score is high and you want advice on the impact of alcohol on your health contact your GP/Health Care Professional. Or find out about treatment services available within the Southern Trust.
Is there a safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy?
There is no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Your baby’s Central Nervous System, brain, major organs and limbs are developing throughout pregnancy. In the first trimester (12 weeks) the baby’s developing brain is most vulnerable to the damaging effects of alcohol. No alcohol is always the safest and best choice for your unborn baby. A safe alternative are mocktails.
Binge drinking and heavy drinking are very harmful to the unborn child. Heavy alcohol use can lead to impaired brain development. This could result in restricted growth and facial abnormalities, as well as lifelong learning and behavioural problems in your baby. Otherwise known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Regular ongoing drinking in pregnancy can lead to lesser forms of FAS known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
What happens to my baby when I drink alcohol?
Alcohol can act as a poison and too much exposure to alcohol can seriously affect the baby’s development.
In early pregnancy the baby’s brain and major organs including its liver and kidneys are developing. When you drink alcohol it reaches the baby through the placenta. This means when you drink, your baby drinks. But the baby’s body cannot process alcohol as fast as yours can, due to a lack of an effective blood filtration system and an under developed liver. A baby’s liver is one of the last organs to develop and does not mature until the latter half of pregnancy. The baby is therefore is exposed to greater amounts of alcohol for longer than you are.
Your baby’s developing brain can be damaged by alcohol. Alcohol can have a toxic effect on the fetus, especially in the brain where it kills cells. Developing cells and organs can also be affected. Think about it: would you give alcohol to your toddler whose brain is more developed than your unborn? Then why would you give alcohol to your baby? All mums want what’s best for their children.
Is there a safe amount of alcohol I can drink?
Department of Health (DoH) Alcohol in Pregnancy Guidelines state:
- If you are pregnant or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.
- Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby, with the more you drink the greater the risk.
The risk of harm to the baby is likely to be low if you have drunk only small amounts of alcohol before you knew you were pregnant or during pregnancy.
If you find out you are pregnant after you have drunk alcohol during early pregnancy, you should avoid further drinking. You should be aware that it is unlikely in most cases that your baby has been affected. If you are worried about alcohol use during pregnancy do talk to your doctor or midwife.
What can I do if I find it hard to give up alcohol?
If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant and find it difficult to give up alcohol, be assured you are not alone. Pregnant women and women trying to conceive should avoid alcohol altogether. Ask your midwife, health visitor or GP or someone you trust for help. For further information visit www.alcoholandyouni.com/if-you-take-it-i-take-it-brief-advice-tool/
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust provide a Substance Liaison Midwifery Service which is an easily accessible and friendly service which promotes a positive pregnancy and birth experience for woman who are concerned regarding their use of substances during pregnancy. The Substance Liaison Midwife can be contacted at Mobile 077 8533 2988 or Tel: (028) 3756 1330.
How will drinking while breastfeeding affect my baby?
Breastfeeding gives your baby the best possible start in life and it has lots of benefits for a mother and her baby. Breastfeeding also helps mothers build a bond with their baby both physically and emotionally.
Alcohol passes freely into breastmilk and also affects its taste. Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption can cause harm to the breastfeeding baby, making a baby sleepy, drowsy and lead to slow weight gain. Alcohol consumption when breastfeeding can also affect a mother and baby’s ability to breastfeed. Guidance surrounding alcohol intake and breastfeeding can be found at www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/
Impact of substances on you
As well as being a time of joy and excitement, the first few months after giving birth can also be difficult and demanding. Sleep deprivation, endless feeding and changing routines, emotional ups and downs, can leave you feeling tired and drained. But heavy drinking will leave you feeling a whole lot worse. Although it may help you feel more relaxed at first, drinking too much at this time will make you more irritable and low. This will make it harder to cope with the constant attention that your baby needs. Find out more about drug and alcohol treatment and support services available across Northern Ireland