Alcohol Support In Blackburn

The start of 2024, as with any other year, often sees many people turn to detoxing, after the festive period. There are so many challenges that kickstart at the beginning of the year, encouraging people to be healthier. These challenges include Dry January. However, for those who feel they may have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, Dry January and other sudden changes in behaviour can have fatal consequences if not approached with the right support. This blog aims to explore some of the alcohol support in Blackburn that is on offer.

Dry January

Dry January challenges people to abstain from alcohol throughout the month of January.

So many people who take part in Dry January report a positive experience, experiencing things like:

Better sleep
Weigh loss
Money saving
Drinking less (even six months after the challenge!)

With this being said, however, Dry January may not be a safe challenge to partake in if you have a history of struggling with alcohol use. Those who are clinically alcohol dependent can face fatal consequences if they suddenly stop drinking.

For those who have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, they may experience symptoms such as:

Fitting
Shaking hands
Sweating
Seeing things that aren’t real
Depression
Anxiety
Difficulty sleeping

Results Of Alcohol Use

Persistent alcohol use can result in serious health conditions, that can have life threatening results.

Alcohol use can cause:

Heart Disease
Strokes
Liver disease
Liver cancer
Bowel cancer
Pancreatitis
Mental Health illnesses such as depression

It is advised for those who require support with their alcohol use to contact their GP or access local support services in their area.

But what is on offer when it comes to alcohol support in Blackburn and surrounding areas?

Spark is an innovative partnership providing substance misuse services across Blackburn with Darwen. The service combines specialist drug and alcohol services with health, housing and community groups.

Spark aim to provide a joined-up service that supports people of all ages, including children, young people and families, from all backgrounds into and through recovery.

Together, we aim to create long lasting and positive change in the wider community.

Alcohol Support in Blackburn with Darwen for Adults

The use of alcohol affects not just the individual but also their loved ones, communities and those surrounding them. Let’s start by exploring some of the support for alcohol use for adults.

At BeWell, we want to ensure that residents of our borough, struggling with alcohol use can get the support they need.

SPARK offers support with alcohol use helping people to safely reduce their drinking or stop altogether.

They offer a wide range of treatment and support services for those who need it working with individuals to build stronger decision making skills and ways of coping.

The service offers professional and non judgemental help and advice to those using substances like alcohol and drugs. The service is open and accessible to anyone in Blackburn with Darwen who needs it.

If you wish to speak to someone about your own or others’ alcohol use, please call SPARK on 01254 495014 or email BWD@calico.org.uk or visit https://sparkbwd.org.uk/

Alcohol Support In Blackburn with Darwen For Young People

Support with alcohol use is also on offer for young people up to the age of 25 years old in Blackburn with Darwen.

We want young people to feel supported with the right information, helping them to make the right choices when it comes to alcohol and other harmful substances.

Where a young person needs more specific support with alcohol use, Early Break in Blackburn with Darwen have trained professionals in the Young Person’s Drug and Alcohol Team who can help.

If you are a young person and have a family member who uses drugs or alcohol Early Break offer support for the whole family with an aim to improve families emotional health and wellbeing, family relationships, reduce substance use and family conflict.

To learn more about Early Break services, you can contact them by calling 0161 723 3880, email info@earlybreak.co.uk or visiting https://earlybreak.co.uk/