Local services
Patients requiring access to drug and alcohol treatment will be referred to the Merton Community Drug and Alcohol Team.
There are a range of local services for people experiencing issues related to drugs or alcohol in Merton.
The Practice does not prescribe methadone or similar substances.
Useful advice & information
Drug addiction
Drug addiction is a compulsive need to use drugs in order to function normally. When such substances are unobtainable, the user suffers from withdrawal. Drug addiction can occur with prescribed medications as well as illicit drugs.
Drug addiction not only causes medical problems but can also cause problems at work, home, school, and in relationships, leaving you feeling isolated, helpless, or ashamed.
If you or a family member have a drug addiction problem please contact one of the services above.
Alcohol
The safe recommended amount of alcohol intake per week is:
- Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.
- Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.
- Pregnant women. Advice from the Department of Health states that … “pregnant women or women trying to conceive should not drink alcohol at all. If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk”.
Your liver processes alcohol. It can only cope with so much at a time. Drinking more alcohol than the liver can cope with can damage liver cells and produce toxic by-product chemicals.
The more you drink, and especially above the recommended limits, the greater the risk of developing serious problems such as: liver disease (cirrhosis or hepatitis); cancer; gut and pancreas disorders; depression; anxiety; sexual difficulties; muscle and heart muscle disease; high blood pressure; damage to nervous tissue; serious accidents; obesity (alcohol is calorie-rich).
Use this calculator to calculate your weekly alcohol intake.
Alcohol dependence
Alcohol dependence is when an individual is addicted to alcohol either physically or mentally, and has an over powering urge to continue to drink causing a pattern of routinely drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period of time, and giving priority to drinking over other activities and obligations in your life. It can cause or worsen psychological and physical health problems and can seriously affect your relationships with family and friends. It can also affect your job, or result in drinking-related offences.
Take this questionnaire to see if you may be dependent on alcohol.
See your doctor or practice nurse if you are drinking above the recommended limits of alcohol and are finding it difficult to cut down or if your Questionnaire score is more than 8.
