Alcohol Screening and Intervention Service

If you are concerned about how much alcohol you are drinking or a loved one has expressed concern, you could benefit from the Alcohol Screening and Intervention Service offered by Whitworth Pharmacies. 

Free, 100% confidential, and judgement-free, it is the sensible way to take control of your drinking habit and improve your health. 

Visit your local Whitworth pharmacy or give us a ring to find out more. 

The Alcohol Screening and Intervention Service is a free service that can help you understand whether you are drinking too much and provide support if you want to cut down. It’s offered as part of the Healthy Living Pharmacy Scheme. 

Recent studies have shown that there isn’t a safe level of alcohol consumption. Every drink can have an impact on your health both now and in the future. 

This includes an increased risk of suffering from:

• Stroke

• Cancer

• Heart disease

• Liver disease

• Brain damage

• Nervous system damage

• Depression

• Self-harm 

The more you drink, the higher the risks will be.

The service is for anyone over the age of 18. 

How the Alcohol Screening and Intervention Service works:

Step 1: Pop into your local Whitworth Pharmacy and ask for advice
If you believe you are drinking too much or you would like support to cut down, just pop into your local Whitworth pharmacy and ask for advice. We’ll be happy to help. (Note that in certain circumstances, we might notice you are exceeding the recommended weekly limit and offer extra help)

Step 2: Assessment
One of our friendly pharmacists will take you into a private consultation room to have a chat. 

We will ask you questions about your drinking habits then explain what a unit of alcohol is, what the recommended limits are and some of the benefits of stopping or reducing. 

We will also explain where your current habits fit into the scheme and provide you with the information and support you need to cut down. If we believe your physical or mental health is at risk, we may also refer you to a specialised support service. 

Step 3: Follow up
We will encourage you to make another appointment in around eight weeks to see how you are getting on. At this point, we can also provide you with additional information or refer you to another support service if required. 

Frequently asked questions: