National support for you
If you are concerned about your own drinking or worried about a family member or friend and need help or advice, you should contact the Drink line, on 0300 123 1110 (open weekdays 9am to 8pm and weekends 11am to 4pm)
Alcohol
Enjoying a drink
Lots of adults enjoy drinking alcohol from time to time, but drinking too much can be very damaging to short and long term health. It’s important to understand how alcohol can affect our health and wellbeing, and know how much it is safe to drink.
There is no guaranteed safe level of drinking, but if you drink less than the recommended daily limits, the risks of damaging your health are low.
The effects of alcohol on your health will depend on how much you drink; the more you drink, the greater the health risks.
Sensible drinking guidelines
Official guidelines recommend that:
- men shouldn’t regularly drink more than three to four units a day
- women shouldn’t regularly drink more than two to three units a day
- you should have at least two alcohol-free days each week
- after an episode of heavy drinking, it’s advisable to refrain from drinking for 48 hours to allow the tissues in your body to recover.
One alcohol unit is measured as 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol. The number of units in a drink is determined by the size and strength of the drink.
Unfortunately, it's not as simple as one drink, one unit, and the alcoholic content in the same types of drinks can vary a lot.
Am I drinking too much?
Most people will be fine if they drink within the sensible limits for regular drinking, but for some people, drinking gradually gets out of control.
Psychological and physical dependence on alcohol can creep up on you, especially if you drink excessively on a regular basis.
Tolerance can gradually increase, meaning that you need more alcohol to reach the same state. In other words, if you feel that you are getting better at holding your drink that could be a sign of a developing problem.
Use this simple and confidential online test to understand if you are drinking at a sensible level
Alcohol and the law
There are strict laws governing the sale and consumption of alcohol in the UK.
The government offers clear guidance on issues relating to drinking and young people, drink driving and drinking in public. More Information on UK guidance around Alcohol here (Opens in a new window)
Online support for you
My Living Well has a range of online services which may be able to help (opens a new window)
It includes 'Drinkcoach' which is a new online tool and downloadable app where you can take an online test, if needed it can provide personalised online support for you as well as linking you to local support.
Local support for adults
New Vision Bradford, delivered by Humankind, is a free and confidential drug and alcohol support service for adults 18 years and over (including offenders), families and concerned others in Bradford.
New Vision supports service users in achieving their own goals, whether that's stopping use completely or just cutting down. Their staff have a great deal of experience in what works; many of them have experienced drug or alcohol issues themselves.
As well as detox services, they provide one-to-one support, group therapy, family support, health and well-being checks, screenings and vaccinations, harm reduction support, residential rehab and support into paid work.
For further information:
Website: New Vision Bradford
Telephone: 01274 296023, open 9.15am-5.15pm, Monday - Friday
Email: info@newvisionbradford.org.uk
They have an online referral form that can be used to self-refer or on behalf of someone else.
They have a number of sites in Bradford and Keighley:
- Pelican House in Little Germany, Bradford
- Unity House on Manningham Lane in Bradford
- 11 Temple Street in Keighley
- 6 Temple Street in Keighley provides a harm reduction and needle exchange service
They also have a Recovery Centre on North Parade in Bradford city centre for people who are now abstinent from alcohol and drugs.
New Vision Bradford also has workers at various GP surgeries and health centres across the district.
Our services directory has other services local to you that can give you/your family the support you need.
Local support for young people
Bridge Project One80 is a service is for young people up to age 21 living across the district of Bradford, who are concerned about their own use of drugs and alcohol including:
- Alcohol.
- Cannabis.
- Stimulants (Amphetamine/Cocaine).
- Club Drugs and Novel Psychoactive Substances (NSP).
- Opiates and Crack.
They also support family members, friends, schools, social workers, and other professionals who are concerned about a young person’s use of drugs and alcohol.
The service offers:
- Confidential support led by the young person.
- Comprehensive assessment including personal strengths, substance misuse issues, mental and physical health, wellbeing, safeguarding, family, and social needs.
- Access to wide range of online advice, information, and self-help resources.
- Advice, prevention, and early intervention for lower risk misuse.
- Structured treatment for complex needs and established patterns of use.
- Consultation and support for family members, friends, schools, social workers, and other professionals where consent has been given.
- Supported referrals to a wide range of community services for mental health, social isolation, education, peer mentoring, healthy activities, family, and relationship support.
- Management of treatment transition pathways for young adults.
Please contact for more information
Website: Bridge Project One80
Telephone: 01274 723863
Email: info@thebridgeproject.org.uk
Professionals and parent carers can make a direct referral using the Professionals Referral Form