Alcohol Awareness Week Toolkit - Birmingham

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We’ve created an Alcohol Awareness toolkit to support people open about their recovery journeys. The toolkit will also provide advice for friends and family to help their loved ones through treatment. Alcohol Awareness Week runs from 15-21 November and gives us an opportunity to share useful tips with people who use our service, and the wider public. This year’s theme is Alcohol and Relationships which focuses on ideas of loneliness, socialising, and drinking in the pandemic.

Our toolkit will provide:

  • How to talk to family and friends about your alcohol treatment
  • How family and friends can support you and other loved ones
  • Case studies and advice from people in recovery
  • Signposting and motivation

What to expect when you enter alcohol treatment with us:

  1. You will speak to our telephone triage team and be invited into your local hub for further assessments.
  2. You will meet a nurse to do a basic health check, like taking your blood pressure, and discuss your options around your treatment.
  3. You may get a prescribed medication depending on the agreed treatment plan.
  4. A Recovery Coordinator will be assigned to support you with your goals setting, book you on to groups, and signpost you to activities outside of the service. They will complete risk assessments, talk to any support networks you are working with, and provide harm reduction advice.
  5. You may be offered an ambulatory or residential detox depending on your treatment plan.

You can read more about the alcohol treatment options here.

Are you entering or in treatment with us?

A smiling man standing in front of green leaves

Conversation starters:

Do you have some time to talk? I have something I would like to share with you.

I want to get support for my drinking, and I need your help finding the right support

I struggle to talk about this face-to-face, that is why I am texting you today…

I am getting support for my drinking, and I am working with a professional to reduce my drinking habits

I want your support on my journey and there are family and friends’ sessions you can go to

Are you a friend or family member of someone experiencing alcohol treatment?

woman standing on a bridge looking into the distance

Common questions you might be unsure about

  1. Why can’t someone just stop drinking as soon as they enter Change Grow Live?

    If someone stops drinking suddenly, they will get withdrawal symptoms: sweats, shakes, sickness, and they are at risk of having a fit or seizure because the body can’t cope with reducing too quickly – this can lead to extreme cases such as death. Therefore, a reduction plan is needed to gradually limit a person’s alcohol use.
  1. What does a reduction plan mean?

    Reduction plan means a slow gradual reduction in the amount of alcohol used by a client – usually 10% reduction at a time – needs to be over an agreed period between you and the medical team.
     
  2. What is the role of a Recovery Coordinator in my journey?

    Refer you to the clinical team for assessments and harm minimisation advice
    Refer you to therapeutic groups/aftercare groups/mutual aid group
    Support you to increase your ‘Recovery Capitol’ to promote independence from support services after you’ve completed your journey with us
    To support clients to exit treatment alcohol-free or reduced alcohol use
     
  3. What support is there for family and friends caring for someone struggling with alcohol:

    It can be especially hard if you are living with someone who is struggling and causing to themselves and other people around them. It is ok to get support from a professional organisation. You can only help. The professional organisation will help you to work out how you can best support your loved one, but just as importantly help you to spend time taking care of yourself and your own needs.

Words or phrases you might hear whilst in alcohol support:

  • Alcohol Dependence – someone needing to consume alcohol regularly
  • Abstinence – alcohol free
  • Reduction Plan or Drink Down plan – see previous ‘Common questions’
  • Alcohol Detox – We have the option of residential and ambulatory detox
  • Recovery Plan – a small list of actions that you will try and complete over a few weeks
  • Recovery Capital – building a network of support and skills to become more independent
  • Psychosocial – therapeutic work to help understand your addiction and find strategies to help cope with different feelings
  • Recovery Support – referral to groups/aftercare, liaise with family members, GP, mental health, probation officer, social services – regular check-ins with clients

Phil's story

Phil accessed our alcohol services after concerns about his drinking from family and friends. Click here to read his story.
 

Signposting and referral information

Read our advice for cutting down or quitting drinking alcohol

You can refer yourself for support in Birmingham here

You can also call us on 0121 227 5890 or email us on [email protected]

 

This is a polite message that our staff and volunteers have created this toolkit. Please consult your Recovery Coordinator or GP on how to stay safe when accessing alcohol services.

Thank you to all our staff and volunteers for contributing to this toolkit.

 

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