Alcohol
Alcohol Misuse
The profile of Alcohol Misuse has been developed at both a national and a local level within the past few years. The updated National Alcohol Strategy, Safe, Sensible and Social, was published in June 2007 and the national Know Your Limits campaign continues to develop.
Policy
Within Hampshire, the profile of alcohol misuse has greatly increased, with a number of significant projects being undertaken and completed. Alcohol misuse is now recognised by the LAA Chief Executive group as a truly cross cutting issue and has been given Flagship Status. A Ten Point Plan of action has been completed, with each action having an individual business plan drawn up for it. The development of the Hampshire wide alcohol strategies will fall to the newly formed Alcohol Partnership Board, currently chaired by the Director of Public Health. The development of local policies and actions are contained in its' Communication Strategy. Additionally, information around local alcohol services is being collated and created within a Hampshire Alcohol Services document.
Did you know?
The NHS recommends that you should not regularly drink more than:
3-4 units of alcohol a day for men,
2-3 units of alcohol per day for women.
but what does this mean? If you want to know more about alcohol, your health and personal safety, then Know Your Limits: Know Your Units may provide the information you need.
Alcoholics Anonymous
The finding of the Hampshire Alcohol Scrutiny Review Group concluded that Alcoholics Anonymous has a comprehensive network of support across Hampshire for people who have identified they need help and on average provides support to approximately 1,000 individuals per week.
There are over 3,000 AA meetings in the UK every week. Alcoholics Anonymous provides a service across the whole of Hampshire with 85 meetings taking place.
There is no charge to attend meetings, and no-one has to speak or declare themselves alcoholic to attend. Anyone who is concerned about their drinking is welcome. AA evolved the 12-step programme that has become the framework for many recovery programmes including alcoholism.
AA has a helpline 0845 769 7555 which is permanently manned in Hampshire to provide information and a confidential sympathetic listening ear for people wishing to find out more about AA and how it may help them. AA also has local responders, contactable via the helpline, who can visit at short notice anyone who wants to find out more about AA face to face.
More information is available from the website www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk where there is also a “where to find” locator facility.
AA has an active public information policy enabling professional, employers and organisations, who come into contact with people with alcohol problems, to be more informed about how AA works. Individuals wanting more information can contact the liaison team in Hampshire by emailing southdown.pi@aa-email.org.uk, alternatively the General Service Office for the UK in York on 01904 644026.
Alcoholics Anonymous is entirely self funding and declines external financial support.