Support for Alcohol Problems

As well as the Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme (VSHSP) and Vet Helpline, the following agencies, residential clinics and 12 step groups offer support. If you need residential  treatment, and do not want to use the VSHSP, you should contact your GP for a referral or approach a private treatment centre in the UK or abroad directly yourself. A database of UK treatment centres is available from the National Treatment Agency.

10 questions that may help you to decide whether you have a problem with alcohol:

1. I continue to use alcohol in spite of increasingly serious negative consequences.
2. I have made attempts to cut down and control my drinking with little or no success.
3. I feel very guilty after I have been drinking.
4. I have had financial difficulties as a result of my drinking.
5. Alcohol is a cause of domestic difficulty. 
6. I often have to take other drugs in order to cope with the effects of the alcohol. 
7. I have missed or avoided work or school because of alcohol use.
8. I have had had legal or financial problems as a result of alcohol use.
9. The thought of living without alcohol frightens me.
10. I feel that I must have alcohol in order to interact with other people.

(Source: Lifeworkscommunity.com)

Is Your Alcohol Consumption Harmful? (WHO AUDIT questionnaire:screen for alcohol misuse1)  


Alcohol Agencies

• Alcohol Concern - the national agency for alcohol misuse provides factsheets, publications and an online library database.
  
  
• Drinkline
  
  
  • Information and self-help materials
  • Help to callers worried about their own drinking
  • Support to the family and friends of people who are drinking
  • Advice to callers on where to go for help
    
    Drinkline is confidential and no names need be given. Callers to the helpline number have the option of listening to recorded information about alcohol or talking to an adviser.
    Tel: 0800 917 8282 Helpline. Best time to telephone: 9am - 11pm, Mon-Fri

Private Clinics

The names of some clinics that are known to the VSHSP are given here but there is a very broad selection of clinics available and the VSHSP National Co-ordinator is available to discuss your options with you on 07946 634220 or can be emailed at VSHSP@vetlife.org.uk.     

• Clouds House
• Lifeworks
• Broadway Lodge

12 Step Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous 
Tel: 0845 769 7555

Research

Alcohol Consumption Among Veterinary Surgeons in the UK - D J Bartram; J M A Sinclair; D S Baldwin