Alcohol Awareness Week
Alcohol Awareness Week is 7th to 13th July. The theme this year is ‘Alcohol and work’.
Islington residents who want to change their relationship with alcohol or drugs can access free confidential treatment and support from Better Lives. Better Lives are an NHS-provided service that offer a range of interventions and levels of support depending on the person’s needs and what they want to achieve. The service’s website summarises the offer, how patients can refer themselves to the service, and how healthcare professionals can make a referral – link here.
For those wanting to cut down, the NHS and Alcohol Change UK have great resources. Alcohol Change UK has a suite of interactive tools for anyone thinking about alcohol and their health.
Smoking
Residents can access free evidence-based stop smoking support from Breathe. The service offers dual-therapy, i.e. behavioural support from trained advisers together plus quit aids – nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patches) / medication / a vape. There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of this approach and currently around 60% of people that work with the service are able to quit.
People can also just access advice or tools to stop by themselves, including free digital support – link here.
Presently, there are no specific resources available in Islington to support offer for people wanting to stop vaping, however, the principles are the same as quitting smoking and the NHS has guidance here.
Healthy Weight
Islington residents can self-refer to access a free 12-week supported weight management programme with MoreLife. They can sign up on this page. (The eligibility criteria is based on BMI and long-term conditions).
There is also a men’s programme run by Arsenal in the Community: Shape Up, which focuses on nutrition and exercise. Islington residents can self-refer by email or phone – details here.
Islington Public Health Team also recommends the NHS Weight Loss Plan app, free to download.
