Drugs and Alcohol
Alcohol
Medical students are well known for their dedication to the odd drink! If, however, you begin to recognize that your drinking is becoming a problem, there are groups that can advise you on a course of action (see contacts below). Alcohol use and alcohol related offences can affect your “Fitness to Practice” as a medical student and future doctor and so needs to be taken seriously.
Down Your Drink
A test to find out if you have a problem with alcohol.
Website: www.downyourdrink.org.uk
Drink Aware
Information and advice on alcohol use.
Website: www.drinkaware.co.uk
It is not unusual for students to find the drinking culture of British university challenging – especially if you do not drink yourself or come from a background where drinking is not acceptable, or perhaps where alcohol has been a problem. You will not be alone in feeling this but if you’d ever like to talk to anyone about it please contact welfare@galenicals.org.uk or med-support@bristol.ac.uk.
Remember you should never feel pressurised into doing anything that you are not comfortable with, and your friends should respect your views so don’t be afraid to make them clear.
Support Group Info Contact Details
- ACAD Provide free counselling and information. They also have a drop-in service and relapse prevention groups. Tel : 929 3028 / 9 for more information
- Alcoholics Anonymous Tel : 9265926
(Open 6-10.30 p.m. Mon-Fri ; 10am-10.30pm Sat and Sun ) - AL – ANON For information re: local groups and National Helpline, call (0171) 403 0888
Or book an appointment with Student Health to discuss any of your concerns over drugs and alcohol.
Drugs
Apart from having a good time, we need to recognize our responsibility to the patients we meet, and the problems that arise from taking drugs. All our professional behaviour assessment forms contain the line “Does not show evidence of abuse of alcohol or other drugs”. So be careful! Make informed choices -make sure you know what a drug does before you take it; don’t feel pressured into doing something you don’t want to.
If you are concerned about your drug use, or maybe that of a friend, there are local groups that can offer constructive and confidential advice:
Bristol Drugs Project
This is an independent organization, not connected to social services, the police, or any other authority. They offer the chance to sit down and talk to someone in confidence about anything to do with drug use.
11 Brunswick Square, Bristol, BS2 8PE
Tel: 9871500
(Mon-Fri : 2-5pm ; Drop in and needle exchange )
(Weds : 11am-2pm; Women only )
Narcotics Anonymous
P.O Box 285, Bristol
Tel: 9240084
FRANK
Tel: 0800 77 66 00
Web: Talk to FRANK
For more detailed information and further resources please visit:
Bristol University Students Union
