Festive partygoers across Bradford are being urged to think twice before drinking excess amounts of alcohol this winter as figures reveal the city is one of the worst areas in the Yorkshire and the Humber region for alcohol-related hospital admissions.
A report by the Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory[1] shows Bradford and Airedale had 1,457 females and 2,437 males (per 100,000 people) admitted to hospital during 2008/09 – a figure that has continually risen since 2003/4.
With alcohol consumption in the UK estimated to shoot up by over 40% in December[2], Bradford District Care Trust, a local provider of substance misuse services, is sharing helpful hints to help people keep track of what they are drinking and stay healthy this Christmas.
Jade McPhilimey, Head of Operations for Substance Misuse at the Trust, said: “Whilst we still encourage people to stick to the recommended limits of no more than four units a day for men and no more than three a day for women, we know Christmas is often a time when celebrating and drinking go hand-in-hand.”
Under Department of Health recommended guidelines, men are advised not to drink the equivalent of more than a pint and a half of beer a day, and women, no more than 250ml glass of wine.
Jade, who oversees the Trust’s Alcohol Care Team at Bradford Royal Infirmary, and community drug and alcohol teams, warns of the effects of binge drinking. She said: “Usually temporary, effects may include shaking, anxiety and damage to the stomach lining, resulting in sickness and diarrhoea. Excessive drinking on a regular basis though can lead to severe long-term health problems, including liver problems, addiction and mental health problems.”
“Christmas in particular is a time when people exceed their recommended limits but there are plenty of simple things people can do to reduce their alcohol intake this winter. This might mean just drinking slower, eating before you do consume alcohol or even limiting your spending power.
“We want people to have a good time this Christmas, but we also want them to know their limits and stay safe.”
To calculate your unit intake this Christmas, visit NHS choices and use their online drinks tracker or download the NHS Drinks Tracker Application on your smartphone.
For more information about alcohol and the affects it can have on your health and well-being please click here to download the Care Trust’s “Alcohol: What you Need to Know” booklet.
The Care Trust has the following tips to help make the party season safer:
1. Set drinking limits
Decide how much you’re going to drink and stick to it. Ideally your limits should be within your daily guidelines, 2-3 units for women, 3-4 units for men.
2. Learn to drink slowly
Avoid rushing your drinks. Timing your drinks against the clock can often help, you could maybe aim for a pint an hour.
3. Avoid drinking in rounds
Don’t worry about it seeming a bit anti-social – buying your own drinks gives you more control over your drinking and reduces the need to “keep up” with friends.
4. Limit your spending power
It’s easy to get carried away over the festive period so limit the amount of money you take out with you. That way, when you run out of money, you know it’s nearly home time.
5. Eat before you drink
Drinking on an empty stomach can be harmful. Make sure you have a good meal before consuming alcohol to reduce your desire to drink heavily.
6. Try out lower strength drinks
Cut down your alcohol units by trying out different drinks. Switching to a lower strength drink such as an 8% wine instead of a 13% wine, or drinking spirits with a mixer or iced water can help reduce your alcohol intake.
7. Keep occupied
Slow down your drinking by playing pool, dominoes or cards with friends.
8. Have a dry period
If you know you have festive parties coming up on the calendar, spend a couple of days alcohol-free beforehand, and after to let your body recover.
9. Don’t try to keep up
If you socialise with heavy drinkers, don’t try to keep up. Drink at your own pace, and drink sensibly.
10. Remember you can say ‘no’!
Don’t bow to any pressure put on you by friends. Only drink what you want to drink and don’t have more than you had planned. Be assertive and say ‘no’ if you don’t want another drink, after-all it is your health!
[1] October 2010
[2] Data from Alcohol Awareness Charity, Drink Aware.
