Published on: 10 January 2024
The festive season is traditionally a time of excess. With all the food, presents, parties and get-togethers it can be easy to lose track of just how much you’ve had to drink.
The odd large glass of Pinot there, a welcome glass of champagne. A new flavour of gin to try. A few too many amarettos at the end of the night.
And as the days between Christmas and New Year stretch ahead without the usual routines, it’s no surprise that for many of us it becomes a time when our normal drinking habits change.
If this all sounds a bit familiar, help is available.
The Derbyshire Recovery Partnership offers free support to people struggling with their alcohol and drug use, and it has just launched its new website with help and advice for anyone who feels their drinking may be getting out of hand.
The website, at www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk, offers simple tips on drinking less – and for those who are really worried about their drinking, there is also a team of professionals available to offer face-to-face guidance.
Service Manager for Substance and Alcohol Misuse Ben Keetley said: “Temptation is all around us at Christmas and drink and drug use can all too easily become a problem.
“The Derbyshire Recovery Partnership is there to help. With advice and support from NHS experts, advice for friends and family and details of how to get help and counselling, we are there to assist you to either stop or gain control of your use and to start building positive relationships for you, your family and your community.”
One of the core beliefs of the partnership is using co-production, which means working with the people who use the service to reach a collective outcome.
Ben added: “We hold this approach in high regard and fundamentally believe those affected by our service are best placed to help design it.
“Our approach is non-judgemental, caring and supportive and if you need help, we are there.”
To find out more, visit www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk
The Derbyshire Recovery Partnership is run by Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust in conjunction with Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service (DAAS), Phoenix Futures and Intuitive Thinking Skills.
