Managing Your Drinking During The Cost Of Living Crisis

Mental Health / Alcohol Guidance

It’s tough out there at the moment, and if you feel you need a helping hand, that’s ok.

Times like these, when a lot of things seem out of our control, can lead to feelings of uncertainty. You may be finding money worries are making you want to drink more as a way to deal with emotions or simply to fill your time. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Why not check out a few of our tips and resources below as a starting point for keeping on top of your drinking in stressful times?

(Free) stress-busting hacks 

Take a look at Catherine Gray’s top 10 alcohol-free ways to soother your anxiety - because it shouldn’t cost a fortune to find your inner peace. From cranking up your top feel-good hits, to good old-fashioned fresh air and staying active - there’s something for everyone.

Discovering new ways to have fun staying in

Staying in doesn’t mean sacrificing fun. But can often mean saving money, especially when we cut out the alcohol. Why not borrow a few ideas from Try Dry: The Official Guide to a Month Off Booze’s author Lauren Booker on having a fun sober night in?

Checking in on your mental health when times are tough 

How much do you know about the link between alcohol and mental health? It may surprise you to know just how many people are affected by mental health problems, as well as the many ways alcohol can interact with (and even worsen) these issues. Take our alcohol and mental health quiz and see what you discover: Alcohol and mental health quiz | Alcohol Change UK

We hope you found something for you from our suggestions. For more free tools and resources to help manage your drinking, download the Try Dry® app to your smartphone. As well as helping you log your drinking and dry days, you can try out the wellbeing features for size – helping you monitor your sleep, energy levels, mood and cravings to give you the full picture of your drinking. You’ll also find tonnes of resources, tips and blogs in the newly developed ‘More’ section of the app to help you make the change that’s right for you.

Mental Health Useful Resources

These five directories list the names, numbers and web addresses (where applicable) of...
At one time or another we can all feel overwhelmed. At times like these, it may be...
The EA currently have 409 staff on our Mental Health First Aider network. The Mental...
Bloom is a UK-wide programme which supports young people’s mental health resilience,...
Libraries NI can provide a free Homecall service to your home if you have significant...
Link & Learns are bite size, topical learning sessions for your employees, delivered...
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), developed by Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, is a...
Sourcing and supporting employment opportunities, training and/or voluntary placements...
The OUR Generation project is a Peace IV funded project that provides a unique...
There are a number of health campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of...
This is delivered to the general adult population, including those affected by depression...
Mindfulness is a form of meditation with its roots in Buddhism. It helps you develop...
Everyone’s mental health and emotional well-being is important and many different issues...
Our support groups offer a safe space for people aged 18+ to share experiences of anxiety...
AMH New Life Counselling provides high quality counselling services and is part of Action...
AMH Works provide specialised mental wellbeing training and consultancy to tackle...
Mood Matters Young People programme is aimed at 14-18 year olds and gives them knowledge...
This includes: Raising awareness of depression and Aware NI services at a wide range of...
AMH EveryBODY aims to promote greater understanding and awareness of eating disorders. We...
Positive Minds for Premature Parents supports families of premature babies to develop and...
This supportive behaviour change programme motivates individuals who are ready to make...
Tailored activities to support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. MensSana,...
MindWise are proud to be the only membership-led mental health organisation in Northern...
It is estimated that the overall prevalence of mental health conditions in Northern...
Free access to eBooks, audiobooks and eMagazines - available to download on your device...
We have a wealth of experience in delivering training and consultancy services to a wide...
WiseTalking is a pilot Talking Therapies service for children and young people who are...
Since 2010 Action Mental Health has been successfully delivering Chronic Pain/Conditions...
Our Talking Therapies Practice offers individuals a range of psychological interventions...
Helping employees become more resilient, by giving them the skills to reframe negative...
CBT involves examining your thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns, and working out...
Be Mindful is an online course that uses mindfulness techniques like meditation,...
The Mindful Carers Project will empower carers across Northern Ireland to maintain...
Our team of facilitators have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Mental...
This virtual training programme is an excellent and unique opportunity to train in the...
You must download the Libby app to continue to access the eMagazine and eNewspaper...
Stress doesn’t just make you feel bad – it can also be bad for your health. The good news...
Clinical hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for the treatment and alleviation of a...
We’ve gathered useful advice, information and help for young people aged 8-25 and those...
Action Mental Health is one of the ChatPal Project Team Members working to develop and...
This is aimed at the over 55’s and is delivered to groups in community settings. The...
This programme is a six week training programme for groups of adults and focuses on...
This idea is a walk in the park. It really is that simple, post a news item to see how...
First aid as we know it is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment...
Well mind is a workshop which focuses on recognising the triggers of stress and the...
AWARE also offers an online support group service. The groups provide an opportunity to...
The British Red Cross is helping people connect with their local communities, meet new...
This is delivered to expectant mothers & parents of babies under 3 years of age. It...
This is a six-session programme using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concepts – the...
AMH New Horizons provides a comprehensive programme of specialist training in: Personal...
Back to Life, Back to Normality is a free 12-week mental health programme delivered by...
Beyond Bricks is Lego® Based Play that uses a 'recovery to discovery' approach to enhance...
A project for men aged 50+ to share skills, socialise and connect with their wider...
The Community Care and Support Service is open to individuals over the age of 18 years...
Belfast Resource Centre offers many opportunities including social and leisure activities...
Anxiety can affect anyone at any time, however, students often experience additional...
Counselling is a form of talking therapy that allows you to speak openly about your...
From books and magazines to local history resources, Libraries NI has a host of fabulous...
Supporting veterans at risk of suicide across Northern Ireland. Exposure to line of duty...
MindWise is delighted to offer employers an opportunity to train their staff as Mental...
Self-Help for Anxiety Management (SAM) offers a range of self-help methods to help you...
Whether you're feeling sad, anxious and stressed, or you're dealing with constant...
Here2Help has been developed by a local initiative from people who want to make the range...
Your New Daily Workout for Life Welcome to your versatile and practical mental fitness...
Learn to manage negative thoughts and look at problems differently
Moodpath: Depression and Anxiety is a written mood journal that uses progress reports and...
No matter your circumstances or position, Find Help NI simplifies the process of finding...
Personalised Exercise Plans
MoodMission helps you learn new and better ways of coping with low moods and anxiety...
The Sorted app is accredited by NHS digital - a mark of its effectiveness, safety and...
Support to resist self-harm
MindShift CBT is a free self-help anxiety relief app, that helps you reduce worry, stress...
It’s an easy to follow programme known the world over, and perfect for those new to...
Boost your happiness and create a kinder world while doing it with the Action for...
Trusted information for people who self-harm or feel suicidal Concerned about self-harm?...
Active 10 is a free and easy to use walking app that tracks your walking and shows you...
SuperBetter is a tool created by game designers to help you build resilience and get...
What is Calm: Sleep & Meditation? Calm: Sleep & Meditation is a wellness app...
Fabulous! Is a motivational app that uses challenges to help build physically and...
What's Up? can help you cope with anxiety, stress and feelings of depression. It has...
Wysa is your cute, emotional health buddy and well being tracker. It fits right in your...
Guided meditations
Clear Fear is an app developed for teenage mental health charity Stem4 which uses the...
Guided meditations
Starting a regular habit of meditation can help us to improve concentration, reduce...
Your Mind Plan offers practical ideas and advice to help you boost and maintain your mental wellbeing. Answer the quick 5-question quiz and the Every Mind Matters widget will give you 5 tailored actions to help you feel more in control, improve your sleep, deal with stress and anxiety, and boost your mood – as well as the option to easily swap any actions and to save the whole plan via email.

Mental Health Helplines & Web Chats

Samaritans
Action Mental Health
Association for Post-Natal Illness Helpline
Aware NI - Support Groups
Aware NI - Online Support Groups
Mind - Side by Side Online Community