Alcohol can affect your physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships and day-to-day life. Support is available if you are worried about your own drinking or someone else’s drinking.

Read NHS 111 Wales alcohol advice Get help from DAN 24/7 Wales

Do not suddenly stop drinking if you are dependent on alcohol

If you are physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be harmful and may cause serious withdrawal symptoms. Speak to a GP, local alcohol service or DAN 24/7 before stopping completely.

When to ask for help

Realising that alcohol may be causing problems is an important first step. You may need support if:

  • you often feel that you need to have a drink
  • you get into trouble because of your drinking
  • other people have warned you about how much you drink
  • you think your drinking is affecting your health, mood, work, home life or relationships

A good place to start is by speaking to a GP. Try to be honest about how much you drink and how it is affecting you. The GP may talk to you about local alcohol services, counselling, support groups or treatment options.

Welsh alcohol and drug helpline

DAN 24/7 is the Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline. It provides free, confidential and bilingual support for people in Wales. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 0808 808 2234 or email [email protected].

Visit DAN 24/7

Alcohol facts and self-help tools

NHS 111 Wales has information about alcohol units, lower-risk drinking, the risks of drinking too much and treatment options. You can also use the alcohol diary sheet to record how much you drink during the week.

View alcohol information on NHS 111 Wales Download the alcohol diary sheet
Alcohol support information
Cutting down and staying in control

Cutting down or stopping drinking is often only the beginning. Many people need ongoing support or a longer-term plan to stay in control or remain alcohol-free.

Support from family, friends or carers can help, but it may not be enough on its own. Ask a GP or alcohol service what longer-term support is available locally.

Self-help and mutual aid groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery, are available in many areas.

Withdrawal symptoms and stopping safely

If you are dependent on alcohol, you may need medical support to stop safely. Symptoms that may mean you need medical advice include:

  • feeling anxious after waking
  • sweating or shaking
  • feeling sick or retching in the morning
  • vomiting
  • hallucinations
  • seizures or fits

Contact a GP, local alcohol service or DAN 24/7 for advice before stopping suddenly.

Alcohol detoxification

Many people receive support to stop drinking while staying in the community. Medicine to help with withdrawal can sometimes be taken at home or while attending a local service.

Some people may need a short stay in a medically supported unit so withdrawal symptoms and other health problems can be treated safely.

Intensive rehabilitation

Some people may need more intensive rehabilitation and recovery support after stopping drinking completely. This may be through a local community programme or, in some cases, a residential rehabilitation service.

This type of support is usually for people with medium or high levels of alcohol dependence, or for people who have already tried other types of support without success.

Support for family, friends and carers

Support is also available if you are affected by someone else’s drinking.

Other useful support organisations