Drinkbreak is an entirely online programme, based on high quality science, professional expertise and decades of experience.
Our approach is to guide you towards making good quality decisions about drinking and support you in carrying these through. The programme begins with a free self-assessment. Then we ask you to subscribe to the whole programme and to make a commitment to give it a decent try.
It is like having your own personal counselling sessions. You begin with learning about your drinking, measuring how much you drink and then thinking about what role alcohol plays in your life. After this you choose whether you want to make any changes and what those changes should be and then make a plan and then have a go at making the changes, sticking to the plan and getting on with your life.
First of all this website is private. You are here on your own. And that is important. If you are uncertain about whether your drinking is OK for you, then you might not want other people to know about this.
Dr Stuart Linke is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 40 years' experience in the NHS. Richard McGregor, has over 30 years of experience as a website developer, software engineer, business analyst, database designer and project manager. Stuart and Richard have worked together for over twenty years developing, evaluating and refining an online treatment programme, downyourdrink, to promote alcohol harm reduction. They have brought together their combined expertise to create drinkbreak.
This website has a long history. In the last 15 years versions of it have been used by more than 15,000 people. As you start your journey with us we wish you good luck and good health!
You are here because you want to take positive steps towards improving your wellbeing and ensuring that alcohol isn't undermining your journey. But there can be barriers in the way.
If you are sick or if you think you might be addicted or dependent on alcohol then you must go and see your doctor or other qualified medical help. It is dangerous to try and cut down on alcohol if you don’t. If you think that this programme might not be enough for you there are other places you can get help from and you should seek advice.
The programme works best when it is used regularly and you have a go at the various exercises and suggested tasks. There are no right or wrong ways to control drinking. But there are some ways that tend to work better than others and these are the ones that are included.
Some people don't realise - or don't want to face how much they are actually drinking. They downplay it. Telling themselves that the risks are exaggerated or don't apply to them. They may say “I am not an alcoholic - I just like a drink.” Or they don't believe the recommended limits are correct. They think they are too low and should be higher. The truth, however, is that damage can be experienced by anyone who drinks. The problems can build up over time without even noticing it.