SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Are you drinking sensibly and within the recommended safe limits for your emotional, mental and physical health?

With Alcohol Awareness Week underway across the UK, why not take this simple ‘Know Your Score’ online quiz to get thinking about drinking.

Figures show the majority of people (79%) drink sensibly and in safe limits but in Kent, approximately 254,000 people are drinking above the recommended safe limits, according to estimates from National Survey.

There are an estimated 14,000 dependent drinkers in the county in need of some treatment and support.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE KNOW YOUR SCORE ONLINE QUIZ

Kent specialist treatment services can help those in serious risk of harm, and last year around 2,100 people were receiving help from specialist support services.

The Department of Health recommends drinking levels do not regularly exceed more than 14 units a week. One pint of strong beer or cider equals three units, as does a large glass (250ml) of wine.

A small glass of wine (175ml) amounts to two units while a bottle of beer can mean 1.5 units but these can all vary depending on the alcoholic strength of the drink.

Many people simply are not aware of how much they are drinking.

The KCC ‘Know Your Score’ interactive online test - which you can access by clicking here - can help give some initial guidance by asking users a series of simple questions to help them gauge how much alcohol they are consuming.

It can also make them aware about the effects it could have on their health, in both the short and long-term.

Depending on their score, appropriate key messages and vital advice about where to find help are then delivered by different experts and health professionals.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure and also trigger an irregular heartbeat, both of which increase the risk of having a stroke.

It is also a risk factor for some cancers, particularly head and neck cancers and breast cancer.

Heavy drinking increases the risk of having a stroke by more than three times. By drinking sensibly and to the recommended limits you will reduce your risk of having a stroke.

“People often underestimate how much they are drinking and it’s very easy to go over the safe limits,” said KCC Director for Public Health Andrew Scott-Clark.

The ‘Know Your Score’ tool can help you know if you need treatment.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE KNOW YOUR SCORE ONLINE QUIZ

Many people don’t realise they may have become dependent on alcohol – at which point they might need treatment.

“There are a range of services available in Kent with health, community and voluntary sectors all helping to get people the treatment they need,” he continued.

“If you or a loved one is facing the problems of alcohol addiction, please don’t suffer alone.

“We also have lifestyle services in the community that can support people if they need further help to cut back. Services like One You Kent and ‘Know Your Score’ will help you to get help if you need it.”

A range of formal and informal support is available, such as AA and Smart Recovery (peer support) in Kent and Al-anon for friends, family and carers of alcoholics.

KCC also commissions specialist treatment providers to provide structured treatment for alcohol addiction.

Forward Trust runs the East Kent Community Drug and Alcohol Service while Change Grow Live (CGL) provides the West Kent Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Service.

“We want more people to get the support they need at the right time,” continued Andrew.

“People who are affected by alcohol addiction do not have to suffer alone, we want them to get help.

“If people are drinking because they are depressed we urge them to see their GPs or contact Live Well Kent.

“For those who think they are drinking too much and might be hurting themselves or loved ones, or having trouble keeping their lives in control, we urge them to be aware of how much they are drinking because alcohol related harm is largely preventable.”

For more information on the treatment, support and recovery services available, click here or for help and advice about small changes you can make to improve your health and wellbeing, and find more support in your area regarding your lifestyle, visit One You Kent’s official website here.

If you’re aged 40 to 74-years-old, you can also sign up for an NHS Health Check for advice on keeping yourself healthy and active.

Your blood pressure, height and weight will be checked.

You will be given a small finger prick test to check your blood cholesterol and you'll also be asked some questions about your lifestyle and family history.

The check will identify the risk of you developing heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes or dementia in the future.

Find out more at One You Kent by searching for Health Checks or call 0300 123 1220 (option 4) to find a clinic near you.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE KNOW YOUR SCORE ONLINE QUIZ