Alcohol, drugs and substance misuse
Drinking too much, taking drugs or abusing other substances can seriously affect your health, finances and the welfare of those around you. In extreme circumstances you might even put your life and the lives of others at risk.
You should make yourself aware of the risks posed by drinking alcohol, taking drugs or misusing other substances. You can find brief explanations of the risks below. More information can be found through the websites at the bottom of the page or from your doctor. If you are worried about your use of alcohol, drugs or another substance you should seek professional help as soon as possible.  | |  | | Related information from NHS Choices
Find and choose servicesUse the Find and choose servicessearch tool from NHS Choices to find your local GP or doctor; accident and emergency unit; minor injury unit; hospital; dentist; pharmacist (chemist); optician; carers support organisation; and more. .gif "Content supplied by NHS Choices")
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AlcoholIt is a common misconception that only alcoholics risk damaging their health through drinking too much. The truth is that most people who have alcohol-related health issues have simply drunk more than the recommended level for some time. The NHS recommends that men should not regularly drink more then 3-4 units a day and women should not regularly drink more then 2-3 units a day. By 'regularly' this means every day or most days of the week. Drinking these amounts is classed as 'low risk', which means you have a low risk of causing health problems in the future. Nevertheless, the risk is still present and the only safe amount to drink is nothing at all. For more details on getting help with alcohol problems, see our alcohol - advice and support page or the NHS Choices pages below. | | | | Related information from NHS Choices
Drinking and alcoholYou can get information on drinking and alcohol as well as advice and support from the Drinking and alcoholpage from NHS Choices. You can also find information about social drinking; the risks of binge drinking; tips on cutting down; tracking your drinking; a real life drinks diary; alcohol support; and caring for an alcoholic. Unit calculatorUnfortunately you can't just count each drink as a unit of alcohol. The number of units depends on the different strength and size of each drink, so it can vary a lot. See this Unit calculatorfrom NHS Choices to help you work out the different units for each drink. Alcohol self-assessmentAre you concerned you might be drinking too much? Answer the simple questions in the Alcohol self-assessmentfrom NHS Choices and find out what kind of a relationship you have with alcohol.
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Drugs and other substancesThe word 'drugs' encompasses many different substances, from nicotine in cigarettes, through illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine, to so called 'legal highs'. Whatever the drug, they all carry risks to your health and wellbeing. If you are worried about your drug use then there are many support services that can help you. For more details on getting help with drug problems, see our drugs - advice and support page or the NHS Choices pages below. | | | | Related information from NHS Choices
DrugsYou can get information on drugs and substance misuse as well as advice and support from the Drugspage from NHS Choices. You can also find information about getting help; the effects of drugs; legal highs; and talking about drugs with your child. Smoking calculatorFill in how many you smoke a day on this Smoking calculatorfrom NHS Choices and find out how much your habit is costing you, both financially and to your physical health. Then see the benefits you can gain by giving up. Legal highsLegal highs are substances used like illegal drugs such as cocaine or cannabis, but not covered by current misuse of drugs laws, and so legal to possess or to use. Find out about the health risks of legal highs and when to seek medical help using the Legal highspage from NHS Choices. Depression self-assessment testThere are many symptoms of depression, including low mood, feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, lack of energy and problems with sleep. The more symptoms someone has, the more likely they are to be depressed. This Depression self-assessment testfrom NHS Choices will help you to assess whether you could be suffering from depression.
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Social care
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- Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window and NYCC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
- Adfam
Adfam is the leading national organisation working with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol.
- Alcohol Concern
Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse, campaigning for effective alcohol policy and improved services for people whose lives are affected by alcohol-related problems.
- Alcoholics Anonymous
This site provides help and advice for anyone affected by alcohol misuse. It also provides links to other websites maintained by Alcoholics Anonymous in the UK.
- DrugScope
DrugScope is the UK’s leading independent centre of information and expertise on drugs. Their aim is to inform policy development and reduce drug-related harms - to individuals, families and communities.
- Talk to FRANK
This website, linked to the national drugs helpline 'FRANK', offers free information and advice to anyone concerned about drugs use.
- The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA)
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) is a special health authority within the NHS, established by Government in 2001 to improve the availability, capacity and effectiveness of treatment for drug misuse in England.
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Al-Anon family groups (for families and friends of alcoholics)
Full contact details for Al-Anon family groups (for families and friends of alcoholics), including a confidential helpline, can be found below.
http://www.al-anonuk.org.uk
enquiries@al-anonuk.org.uk
Tel: 0207 403 0888 (confidential helpline available 10am-10pm, 365 days a year)
Fax: 0207 378 9910
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Customer services centre (social care enquiries)
Full contact details for the customer services centre, including how to call in personally, can be found below.
social.care@northyorks.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 034 9410
Fax: 01609 532009
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