Get the measure of what you’re drinking before it goes too far

“I can’t believe I’m still alive!” That’s the first thing Angela Deane says as she reflects on her battle with alcohol.

Angela, 46, started to develop a drink problem in her twenties, shortly after the birth of her child.

With her relationship hitting a rocky patch and her partner not working, Angela became the main breadwinner for the family. It was at this point she started drinking heavily.

She continued to drink heavily until an alcohol-related near-death experience in 2010 convinced her that she had an addiction and needed support.

Looking back, Angela from Seacroft, Leeds, vividly remembers being told that she only had a couple of hours to live by a hospital consultant.

After leaving hospital she spoke to her GP who advised her to get in touch with a local support service in Leeds, Addiction Dependency Solutions (ADS). Initially she needed intense support – now she only attends a self-help group rehabilitation session once a week.

As a result of the support from ADS she has not had a drink since July 27, 2010.

Angela says: “I feel so happy to be alive and I can do anything I want now except drink, this is the first time I’ve felt this happy in a long time.

“While I was in rehab I found out my brother had hung himself, meaning I had lost a second brother – one died when I was younger.

“I could have walked out of rehab and turned back to drink but I convinced myself that it was not worth it. I’m making the most of my second chance and now want to do some voluntary work to help others.”

Angela’s story is being used during Alcohol Awareness Week (November 14 -20) to highlight the hidden damage caused by excessive drinking.

NHS Leeds is launching the “drinking causes damage you can’t see” campaign to make people aware that regularly drinking above the recommended daily limit can have serious consequences.

The awareness campaign informs people that:

Women are 50 per cent more likely to get breast cancer if they regularly drink two large glasses of wine or more a day

Women are also twice as likely to have high blood pressure which lead to a stroke or heart attack if they drink two large glasses of wine or more a day

Men could be three times more likely to have a stroke or get mouth cancer if they drink more than two pints of strong lager a day.

Latest estimates suggest that up to 40 per cent of drinkers in Leeds could be putting their long-term health at risk by drinking more than the recommended daily limit

Government guidelines recommend that women should not regularly exceed two to three units daily and that men should not regularly exceed three to four units daily. It is also recommended that people have at least two alcohol-free days every week.

“Our campaign comes just before the festive season when there is a greater temptation to drink more than usual. We want to remind people that there are hidden long-term dangers associated with regularly drinking above the daily recommended limit.,” says Dr Ian Cameron, director of public health for Leeds.

“While the dangers of binge drinking have been highlighted by the media we often forget the effect of drinking at home.

“When pouring in a measure at home it is likely to be larger than those provided by licensed premises.

“This means that you quickly go over their recommended daily intake. I’m hoping this campaign will help encourage sensible drinking habits.”

• To find out more about the health risks associated with alcohol and to learn how to stay within the limits please visit: www.nhs.uk/alcohol. If you are worried about your drinking, or that of a family member or friend, please call ADS on 0113 247 0111 or Leeds Addiction Unit on 0113 295 1300.

A national hangover

In the UK 36 million people are regular drinkers and two million are heavy drinkers

There are one million men and women in Britain who have, or have had, a serious drinking problem. Of those, 200,000 are dependent on alcohol each day of their lives

More women are now drinking than ever before in this century. Although alcohol related problems used to affect far more men than women, women now seek counselling for drinking problems as frequently as men

For more information on alcohol visit www.nhs.uk/alcohol.