Helping yourself to live well

Help yourself to live a healthier, happier and more independent life. Access a number of resources, information guides and support materials and reach out to local community organisations.

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Sensible drinking

Everybody who uses alcohol has a responsibility (to themselves, their family and their community) to do so sensibly. 

Many people consider themselves to be moderate drinkers. In reality, they are drinking more than the low-risk guidelines.

Know your alcohol limits 

For all genders: 

  • it is safest to drink no more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
  • if you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread your drinking evenly over 3 or more days
  • if you have 1 or 2 heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risks of death from long term illness and from accidents and injuries
  • the risk of developing a range of health problems, including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast, increases the more you drink on a regular basis
  • if you want to cut down the amount you drink, a good way is to have several drink-free days each week

Find out more about drinking sensibly, knowing your limits and getting support for alcohol use | NHS Inform

 

Accessing support

Midlothian and East Lothian Drug and Alcohol Partnership raise awareness of the work that is being done to reduce the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by the misuse of alcohol and drugs. 

If you are concerned about the amount of alcohol you are drinking, or you are concerned for someone else, and would like to seek help or advice, you can talk to your GP or you can attend one of the Gateway to Recovery Clinics drop-in clinics throughout East and Midlothian:

  • Monday: Roodlands Hospital, Haddington 10am to 1pm
  • Tuesday: Midlothian Substance Misuse Service, Glenesk Centre, Dalkeith 11am to 4pm
  • Thursday: East Lothian Substance Misuse Centre, The Esk Centre, Musselburgh 11am to 4pm
  • Friday: Eastfield Health Centre, Logan Lea Centre, Penicuik 9.30am to 12.30pm
     

The following websites may also be useful

National frameworks

The Scottish Government's Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action sets out the strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse on Scotland.