Toasting in the New Year?

70% of A & E presentations can be alcohol related at peak times

And it’s likely to be the same this New Year’s Eve for the hard working staff up and down the country in our hospitals.  A study has shown that 70% of all A & E presentations can be alcohol related at peak times (12pm to 5am).  Over a 24 hour period 35% of ambulance calls and A & E admissions can be alcohol related, costing the NHS up to £ 0.5 billion a year.  In the study 41% of people brought in were positive for alcohol consumption and out of these 14% were intoxicated and 43% were problematic alcohol users. 

TOP CAUSES OF ALCOHOL-RELATED ATTENDANCE AT A & E


Source: MORI and Health Development Agency (2002)

So this year, keep an eye on the amount you are drinking and make sure you don’t become a statistic.

 

Drinking alcohol can make Anxiety and Depression Worse

There are often high expectations for New Years Eve.  Most people want to celebrate with friends and family and with the prospects of New Beginnings from the 1st January hopes are often raised.  This is not the same for everybody and if you’re going through a bad patch, or feeling estranged from your loved ones it can be a difficult time of year.  Whilst one or two drinks may help people to relax if you are feeling down drinking can make you feel worse.


Alcohol affects the chemistry of the brain, increasing the risk of depression.   If you drink to alleviate depression, your depression will almost certainly worsen.  Hangovers can also create a cycle of waking up feeling ill, anxious, jittery and guilty leading to further self-medicating drinking leading to further anxiety.
There is now evidence that even a couple of days of heavy drinking can start to kill off brain cells, as happens with people who drink continuously.
 Long term drinking over recommended limits can even lead to:
  • psychosis -  hearing voices when there is nobody there
  • dementia - memory loss, rather like Alzheimer's dementia

1000 suicides a year are linked with alcohol use

Whilst self-medicating with alcohol can be counterproductive, there is a lot you can do to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. All of the following not only help people recover, they also promote positive mental health and so help prevent depression:

  • Keep active. Walking, running, cycling, exercise, in fact anything that increases your activity levels will improve your mood. Only 15 minutes a day is enough to begin with.
  • Get a hobby. Find something that interests you and you enjoy doing and build time into each day for doing it. Creative activities such as painting, writing or playing music are especially effective as they also have a therapeutic value. But any activity you enjoy will help.
  • Talk to others. Tell someone close to you how you are feeling (chances are they have felt the same at some time!) If you cannot do this consider contacting your GP for some support.
  • Look after yourself. Research has shown that eating well can help to alleviate the symptoms of depression.
  • Treat yourself. Make sure you treat yourself to things that you normally enjoy, such as long soak in the bath, a haircut, a trip to the cinema or even a bit of chocolate
  • Learn to relax. Deep breathing is a simple but very effective method of relaxation. To use the technique, take a number of deep breaths and relax your body further with each breath. That's all there is to it! Aim to breathe out for longer than you breathe in, counting as you inhale and exhale. Counting helps you to keep negative thoughts away and so makes it easier to relax.

If you are feeling low, don’t have a drink, talk to someone instead.  If you don’t have anyone you can approach to talk to, you can telephone the Samaritans on 08457 909090. 
If you are feeling depressed over the festive period and feel you cannot wait to see your GP, and need to access immediate support and advice, you can contact the Mental Health Gateway Service on 522214.