In the UK nearly one person dies every day due to alcohol addiction.
Public Health Scotland reports, Scots drink 50% more than the recommended units, more that England and Wales.
In Scotland alcohol related deaths in 2023 hit a 15 year high with a projection, should current patterns continue, of a 21% increase in alcohol related disease burden by 2048
Listen to what the Men Only guests have to say – from a recovering alcoholic perspective and how it affects those with a family member or friend in the grip of alcohol addiction.
Learn how companies can help if they suspect an employee needs support and the signs to look out for.
Finally, we discuss and demystify Alcoholics Anonymous, an organisation that has helped millions of alcoholics around the world to achieve sobriety by taking ‘one day at a time’.
If you are concerned about your drinking, worried about someone you know, this is the podcast to watch.
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Hi my name is Mark and I am an alcoholic.
I am in recovery today and so very grateful to be able to call myself an alcoholic. I would wake up on a daily basis very unwell due to alcohol abuse and alcoholism would convince myself I would not drink today. As I left the house in the morning, I would lift money or my bank card which I would not need as I had a pre made lunch.
I was already beat. Unbeknown to me I was suffering from an illness called alcoholism which convinces the alcoholic that they are ok, and it was successfully doing this to me. Alcoholism is so powerful as it centres in the mind and with no mental defence against the first drink, as explained with me picking up the money or card I was always going to drink as I was mentally obsessed by alcohol.
As I was convinced, I wasn’t drinking today, I set off and before I knew it I was drinking when my shift was finished. When I started drinking, I couldn’t stop. This is the physical side of alcoholism where I needed more alcohol at the end of the night than I did at the start. Alcoholism is an illness where it convinces the alcoholic they don’t have it and it gets you mentally, physically and spiritually. I was a broken man and I felt the only thing that would help me is alcohol until I reached recovery.
AA is such a wonderful place where I got my life back on track and got into service. As I try to stay sober a day at a time with the tools, I have gained in AA I carry the message of recovery within work places to bring awareness of the problem drinker within the workplace. This is a fantastic opportunity to help suffering alcoholics and this is all FREE OF CHARGE.
Words can’t explain how much my life has changed since coming through the doors and I feel its an absolute blessing if I can carry the message that helps another human being.
If you think you have a problem with your drinking, please ask yourself these 2 questions. 1 When you start drinking, can you stop? And when you stop, can you stay stopped?
Contact details are [email protected] and my LinkedIn page is alcoholics anonymous employment liaison officer Glasgow
Resources
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA)
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular support groups.
Companies can contact AA to request a visit to their offices to discuss alcoholism, see details below for Glasgow, however, this valuable service is available nationwide.
Employment Liaison Officer Glasgow
Alcoholics Anonymous: Scotland Wide
T: 0131 225 27 27
W: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Al-Anon Family Groups offer support and understanding to the families and friends of problem drinkers, whether they’re still drinking or not. Alateen is part of Al-Anon and can be attended by 12 to 17-year-olds who are affected by another person’s drinking, usually a parent.
T: 0800 0086 811
E: [email protected]
Drink line
Drink line is the national alcohol helpline. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence.
T: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
We Are With You is a UK-wide treatment agency that helps individuals, families and communities manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse. With 80 services across England and Scotland they provide free and confidential support and advice. Online chat service available, website address below.
Adfam is a leading charity in England working with families affected by drugs and alcohol. Adfam operates an online message board and local support groups.
T: 07442 137 421
National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa)
National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) provides a free, confidential telephone and email helpline for children of alcohol-dependent parents and others concerned about their welfare.
T: 0800 358 3456 for the Nacoa helpline
SMART Recovery groups help people decide whether they have a problem, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Caring for an alcoholic? Find out where you can get support on the Carers Trust website.
T: 0330 053 6022 – general enquiries
Alcohol Detoxification
Most people receive support to stop drinking and recovery support in the community.
If you need medicine to help you stop drinking, it can often be taken at home or when attending a local service daily.
But some people will need a short stay in a medically supported unit so they can receive safe treatment of their withdrawal symptoms or other problems.
This may be in an NHS inpatient unit or a medically supported residential service, depending on your situation and the assessed medical need.
Intensive Rehabilitation
Some people are assessed as needing intensive rehabilitation and recovery support for a period after they stop drinking completely, either through attending a programme of intensive support in their local community or by attending a residential rehabilitation service.
This type of intensive treatment is usually reserved for people with medium or high levels of alcohol dependence, and those who have received other forms of help previously that have not been successful.
Local authorities are responsible for alcohol treatment services. Intensive residential rehabilitation may require an additional assessment process to determine if there is funding for this.
It’s also possible to pay for residential rehabilitation privately. Medical insurance companies may fund this for a certain period.
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