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Alcohol misuse, abuse or addiction

This page covers the definitions of alcohol abuse and addiction, as well as the support and resources available to you.

What is alcoholism?

Alcohol misuse, abuse or alcoholism refers to the harmful consumption of alcohol. Drinking a level of alcohol that is damaging your physical and/or mental health, but continuing to drink despite the consequences, indicates alcohol dependency.

Unhealthy use can range from mild to severe and present in different types, such as problem drinking and binge drinking. The short-term and long-term risks of alcohol addiction include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical dependency.
  • Health conditions such as injuries or infections.
  • Psychological dependency.
  • Mental health issues.
  • Financial issues.
  • Increased risk of suicide.

Resources and support

If you are experiencing problems relating to alcohol, or know someone who is, please remember that you are not alone. You can access free and confidential support at UCL as a registered student. Our empathetic team can support you to find the best treatment method for your needs.

There are also a number of services and websites that can help you better understand and cope with alcohol addiction or misuse.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous is a peer-led fellowship. The organisation host regular group meetings in local communities to support alcohol addiction recovery and sobriety.

Use the AA search tool to find an in-person meeting in your local area or online.

You can also call their free helpline at +44 (0) 800 917 7650 or email the support team help@aamail.org to contact the organisation.

NHS

You can refer to the NHS page on alcohol support for comprehensive guidance on support and treatment.

Change Grow Live

A service local to both the Bloomsbury (Camden) and East (Newham) Campuses is Change Grow Live, a charity offering drug and alcohol support.  They support residents of the London boroughs of Camden, Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Islington, Westminster,  Lambeth and Croydon, and offer:

  • Advice on keeping safe.
  • Emotional support and counselling.
  • Group work.
  • Online courses.
  • Medically assisted treatment.
  • Peer support.
  • Recovery support, including education, training and employment advice and; onward referrals to specialist services.

If you don't feel you are able to contact the service yourself, you can ask an adviser from Student Support and Wellbeing Services or your GP, a relative or friend to refer you. 

Visit the Change Grow Live website.

FRANK

This website provides honest information about alcohol, practical advice and signposts to support. Find drug and alcohol support near you.

Visit the FRANK website.

Drinkaware

Drinkaware is an independent charity working to reduce alcohol misuse and harm in the UK.

Drinkchat is a free online chat service for anyone seeking advice about their own, or someone else’s, drinking. Drinkline is a free, confidential helpline for anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else's. Call the number 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm) for support. If you are in Scotland, you can contact Drinkline Scotland on 0800 7314 314.

Visit the Drinkaware page on alcohol support services and their support lines.

Adfam

A charity supporting families affected by drugs and alcohol.

Visit the Adfam website.

NACAO (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics)

Information, advice and support for people affected by a parent's drinking.

Better Lives (Islington Drug and Alcohol Service)

Better Lives is an integrated drug and alcohol service offering free and confidential support for people and families affected by drug and alcohol issues.

Delivered by North London NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Waythrough, Better Lives runs from three locations in London. You can self-refer by attending a drop-in, by email or by telephone.

Visit the Better Lives webpage.

Rehab 4 Addiction

Rehab 4 Addiction is an advisory and referral service for people who suffer from alcohol, drug and behavioural addiction.

Rehab 4 Addiction works closely with rehabilitation centres and outpatient clinics throughout the United Kingdom, and the admissions team matches a patients’ addiction with an appropriately placed rehabilitation centre. They offer rehabilitation centres patient referrals and always prioritise the needs of the specific patient when doing so. They maintain a substantial network of rehabilitation centres throughout the United Kingdom, including private rehabilitation centres and the NHS.

You can call Rehab 4 Addiction to make an enquiry on +44 (0)800 140 4690. 

Visit the Rehab 4 Addiction website.

Stamp Out Spiking

Spiking is the covert administration of alcohol and drugs into a person's drink or body without their consent. Spiking can be administered through soft drinks, alcohol, drugs, vape liquid and needles. 

Stamp Out Spiking offer immediate support to victims and survivors of spiking. They also offer help to report spiking to the police, and provide prevention resources, spiking information and guidance on legislation.

We Are With You

We Are With You is a charity providing free and confidential support to people in England and Scotland experiencing challenges with alcohol, drugs and mental health. The charity offers both in-person at 80 local services across England and Scotland, and remote appointments online. 

The initial appointment is designed to explore your lifestyle and personal situation, before choosing the best treatment option for you. We Are With You provides mental health interventions to improve exercise, diet, nutrition and sleep, and work in partnership with talking therapy organisations. 

Visit the We Are With You website.

UK SMART Recovery

UK SMART Recovery is a charity offering Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programmes for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, food, shopping, internet and more.

The four-point programme is designed to help participants: 

  • Build and maintain motivation.
  • Cope with urges.
  • Manage thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
  • Live a balanced life.

You can use the search tool to find an in-person meeting in your local area or an online meeting.

Visit the SMART Recovery website.

Alcohol Change UK

Alcohol Change UK is a charity that focuses on reducing alcohol harm. They offer support, interactive tools, tips, and education to help you understand and manage your drinking.  

Visit the Alcohol Change UK website.

Drinkline

Drinkline is a free, confidential helpline for people who are concerned about their drinking or someone else’s.  

Phone: 0300 123 1110  (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm)

Visit the Drinkline website.

Self-assessment tool - CAGE Questionnaire

To self-assess whether you may have an alcohol dependency, answer the four questions below:

  • Have you ever felt you should “cut” down on your alcohol use?
  • Have people “annoyed” you by criticizing your alcohol use?
  • Have you felt bad or “guilty” about your alcohol use?
  • Have you ever used alcohol first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or start the day (an “eye” opener)?

Your answers will indicate a possible alcohol abuse problem. Typically, answering “yes” to two or more questions suggests you may have a substance dependency.

The CAGE acronym represents keywords present in each question. It stands for - Cut Annoyed Guilty Eye

Self-assessment tool - Alcohol Change UK Quiz

Visit the Alcohol Change UK website to check how healthy your drinking is with a quick quiz.

Self-assessment tool - My Mental Health Guide

Visit the My Mental Health website to screen for alcohol misuse.

Self-assessment tool and app - Lower My Drinking

Lower My Drinking is an online self-assessment tool that will recommend a tailored intervention based on the results of your self-assessment. If your results identify that you may be at increased or higher risk it may recommend you access the Lower My Drinking brief intervention app (android and IOS). The app can support you to track and reduce your drinking to within 14 units a week or less through scientifically proven tools.

To take the self-assessment visit the Lower My Drinking website. It is free for Camden and Islington residents.

To access the app please search for ‘Lower My Drinking’ in the App or Google Play Store.

Alcohol and calorie calculator - Drinkaware

Want to know what's in your drinks?

Visit the Drinkaware website to work out the number of alcohol units and calories you have consumed.

Blood alcohol calculator - American Addiction Centres

Blood Alcohol Content, or BAC, refers to the percentage of alcohol in a person's bloodstream, and can be measured within 30-70 minutes after drinking. Contrary to popular belief, nothing can lower BAC except time; coffee, cold showers or water will not help you sober up any faster. 

Visit the American Addiction Centres website to estimate your approximate BAC level.