Self-care: staying healthy and well

Drinking alcohol to manage or cope with difficult emotions

Many people will be find the pandemic stressful and some people will be drinking alcohol more often or more heavily. However, when this becomes a pattern it can be harmful, both to our mental and physical health.

Daily routines will have changed, which also might make it hard to keep on top of how much we’re drinking. If you’re worried about your drinking getting out of hand, there are tools available to help you keep track, please click here.

Accessing drug and alcohol services

North Tyneside Recovery Partnership (NTRP) is our local drug and alcohol treatment service. NTRP provides essential support to people who may be misusing, or be dependent on, drugs or alcohol.

People who misuse or are dependent on drugs and/or alcohol may be at increased risk of becoming infected with coronavirus and infecting others. They may also be more vulnerable to the impact of infection with the virus due to underlying health conditions.

NTRP continues to provide a service to existing clients and new referrals are still being accepted.

More information can be found here and telephone lines remain open, and the service can be contacted on 0191 640 0180. Operating hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

North Tyneside Sexual Health Services

North Tyneside Sexual Health Service is provided by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and offers free and confidential sexual health services for anyone aged 13 and over. More information can be found on their website here.

They provide information advice and support on contraception, screening and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), pregnancy decision making called ‘Options’, counselling and education.

They are there to listen, not to tell. They don’t judge, and services are confidential for people of all ages, gender and sexual preference.

Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm on 0191 297 0441.