Alcohol and your health

If alcohol affects your health, wellbeing, work or family life, discuss it with a doctor. A consultation may assess drinking patterns, health, physical consequences and safe next steps.

When might alcohol be a problem?

The number of drinks is not the only factor. Difficulty cutting down, drinking more frequently or more than planned, needing alcohol to relax or sleep, family or work difficulties, and deteriorating health or test results are reasons to seek advice.

A confidential conversation

Discuss amount and frequency, circumstances and reasons, previous attempts to reduce or stop, medication and conditions, symptoms and previous results. The aim is to assess health risks and agree appropriate care without judging you.

Physical effects and tests

Long-term or heavy drinking can affect the liver, pancreas, digestion, blood pressure, heart and circulation, glucose and lipid metabolism, nervous system, sleep and wellbeing. Where indicated, the doctor may consider liver tests, blood count, glucose or lipids. A single laboratory result cannot diagnose or exclude problematic drinking.

Do not plan sudden withdrawal from long-term heavy drinking without advice

Your drinking history and health determine the risk. Stopping suddenly after prolonged heavy use can cause withdrawal symptoms, including shaking, sweating, anxiety, palpitations and sleep problems, and seizures in severe cases. Discuss a safe plan with a doctor first.

Reducing, stopping and further care

Options depend on health, drinking patterns and withdrawal risk. Addiction treatment, psychological or psychiatric support or medically supervised withdrawal may require referral to an appropriate service. In the Netherlands these services include verslavingszorg and GGZ. This practice consultation is not an inpatient detoxification programme or specialist addiction treatment.

Dr Krzysztof Chyrek

Physician (Arts) · BIG registration 89917610801. Consultations in Polish assess general health and possible physical effects. Euromarkt 34, 2408 BL Alphen aan den Rijn.

Preparation and common questions

Bring medication information, previous results and records of long-term conditions. Note approximate drinking amounts and frequency and previous attempts to cut down. You do not need to know that you have an addiction: uncertainty or a wish to reduce drinking can also be discussed. Tests are recommended only where medically indicated.

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