Most of us do like to kick back, relax and enjoy a drink, be it at home or in a social atmosphere, during the week, at the weekend (or both!) Whatever the reason, there are many factors that can influence a person to drink. Whilst it’s preferred to drink at home, it’s most certain that you will get through a lot more and become less aware of the cost implication.  But how much is too much that it becomes a problem?

There are an estimated 604,416 dependent drinkers in England alone, and alcohol costs the NHS an estimated £4.91 billion each year. Although there has been a drop in overall consumption, there were still 9,641 alcohol-related deaths in the UK in 2021. So community pharmacy is in a prime position to help by offering free advice and support.

This module will explore the effects of excessive drinking and how you can play an active role in offering free advice and support.

By the end of this module you will be able to understand:

• How alcohol affects the body
• Drinking myths
• Government guidelines for safe levels of drinking
• Cutting down alcohol intake
• Further reading & Linking to a Health Promotion