Advice for Adults | Aberdeen City Council

Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs in our society and as a consequence it is one of the most harmful. Used in moderation alcohol can be enjoyed safely. Current guidelines on lower levels of alcohol consumption recommend drinking les than 14 units per week. Further info and details of what a unit of alcohol is can be found here - Are You Drinking Too Much?

Alcohol Focus Scotland are a national organisation and have a wealth helpful information:

COUNT 14 is a Scottish resource that helps promote and define 14 units.

Drugs

Using drugs can alter the way we think and feel, affecting our ability to make safe and sensible decisions. Drugs can affect different people in different ways.

Drugs are generally split into three groups:

Stimulants - such as Cocaine, Crack-Cocaine and Amphetamine
Depressants - such as Alcohol, Heroin, Benzodiazepines and Volatile Substances (e.g. Solvents)
Hallucinogens - Cannabis, LSD, 'Magic' Mushrooms

Not all drugs and substances people use are illegal - people can and do misuse legal products such as prescription drugs, 'over the counter' drugs or uncontrolled substances (such as alcohol, synthetic compounds, glue or solvents) by using them in a way that does not follow any legal or medical guidelines. For example, alcohol misuse has become a major social issue leading to serious health problems in recent years, with a negative impact on the cost of dealing with such problems.

There are no 'typical' drug users. Individuals who use drugs come from a variety of backgrounds across the broad spectrum of society. There are a wide variety of reasons as to why people experiment and in some cases continue to use and misuse drugs.

Consequences of using illegal drugs or misusing legal drugs or uncontrolled substances:

Dependency through repeated use adversely affects ability to function socially
Misuse can lead to both short and long term health problems (physical and mental)
Breakdown or strain relationships (family and friends)
Impact on current or future employment or career prospects
Financial difficulties
Involvement in antisocial behaviour and criminality (impacting negatively on local communities)
Overdose risk (potentially fatal). When more than one substance is mixed (legal and/or illegal) this produces a cumulative effect and an often unpredictable outcome
Injecting drugs greatly increases the risk of contracting blood-borne virus (from the sharing of equipment and/or paraphernalia)

Here is some specific information in relation to the risks and harms of alcohol and drugs:

Help and Services

Alcohol and Drugs Action are a service based in Aberdeen. They are open 7 days a week and offer a range of services including a Helpline and Online Chat. Call on freephone 0333 3 448 355 (free from landlines and pay monthly mobile contracts, not PAYG) or 01224 594700

Alcoholics Anonymous is a free, confidential service concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics. Call their National Helpline free on 0800 9177 650.

Narcotics Anonymous is a free, confidential community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug free life. Call their free Local Helpline on 0800 048 4812.

Aberdeen in Recovery (AIR) is a peer-led support organisation for those who have had actual experience of active addiction personally, as well as those who have been affected by a loved ones behaviours. To contact AIR email their general enquiries at info@aberdeeninrecovery.org or call on 01224 638342.