Know your score quiz, increasing risk score - video transcript for Rupert Symons

This is the transcript for the video that is part of the results of the know your score quiz.

A short video presentation by Rupert Symons, Recovery Worker at Forward Trust. Rupert will tell you your score, and talk about the risks associated with your current level of drinking.

Rupert:  “Hello. Looking over the results of the questionnaire it appears that you are drinking at levels high enough to put your health at risk. About one in five of us are drinking at these higher risk levels.

It will most likely benefit you to have a go at reducing your drinking towards the guidelines of no more than 14 units a week, as at the current increased level there are risks to your relationships at home and work, your mental health (such as depression), your physical health (such as stomach ulcers) or simply your risk of more common colds.

If you are keen to reduce your drinking towards the low-risk levels, there are some pretty simple changes you can make. For example, have a go at drinking drinks with a lower alcohol content. By changing from higher export strength to average strength beer can save around one unit per pint. This may not seem like much but really adds up over an evening. If you prefer wine, make a point of having smaller glasses than glug-able huge ones! Switching to a 5.5% wine instead of the usual 12-14%, you will more than halve the number of units you drink making a huge difference over a week and reducing your risk of longer-term harm.

If you are going out to the pub again, try and avoid getting into rounds as this can be very expensive and you may be drinking more than normal. Next time you're buying a round, buy yourself a coke instead of the vodka and coke you may usually buy. That way, you reduce your alcohol use without the pressure of others wanting you to drink.

There is a chance of developing alcohol dependence with this score, so although it might be difficult with your social life or if you use alcohol to de-stress, having at least two days a week off the booze is really important. Slipping into dependency can cause problems that are all too real as it will affect your physical and emotional health. There are also times when even one or two units can be too much such as if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Thank you for taking time to know your score, if you think other people could benefit from knowing their score please share this tool. If you have any concerns or questions about your alcohol use bring it up at your next GP appointment or follow the links in this tool for more information.”

The final frame of the video is the animated Know Your Score logo over the web address for further details: kent.gov.uk/knowyourscore