Alcohol support

DrinkCoach is an integrated online pathway designed to identify at-risk drinkers and help build a clear and robust pathway for alcohol early intervention and treatment.

As part of efforts to step up our support of colleagues in relation to risky drinking, the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (NENC ICS) has agreed to launch access to DrinkCoach to all staff who work in health and social care within the ICS.

This will provide colleagues with access to a confidential end-to-end support system, helping provide proactive interventions and support to those who need it. Within our partnership with DrinkCoach will be two primary services, as follows.

The Alcohol Test:

A digitised Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) offering users information and advice about their drinking. All tests are free, quick and confidential. Upon completion of a test, users will be told their level of risk and offered the option to create a plan, find and access local support and learn more about the risk they are at.

Those who are identified as being high-risk through completion of the test will be offered a session with a DrinkCoach, who will be able to direct the user to suitable support. This might include a programme of free 1:1 online coaching sessions with a qualified alcohol treatment specialist.

Online Coaching:

Those identified as at high risk when completing the alcohol test will be able to access a session with a DrinkCoach to explore the support options available to them.

Those who would benefit from a short programme of confidential 1:1 online coaching sessions with qualified alcohol treatment specialists from DrinkCoach will be offered this for free.

DrinkCoach specialists make use of years of experience to deliver interventions to high risk drinkers via an online platform, providing a professional, convenient and confidential way to discuss alcohol consumption and receive expert guidance. Specialists will work with colleagues to develop a personalised plan and help them to achieve goals.

Further information on DrinkCoach:

In addition to the services above, colleagues that access support can also download the free DrinkCoach app. Available on Android and iOS, the app allows users to track consumption, calories and cost, set and track personal goals and much more.

Is this service confidential?

All data and information is handled by DrinkCoach, making this a completely confidential service for those who access it.

What is the cost of accessing this service:

The North East and North Cumbria ICS has agreed to provide this service to all health and social care colleagues within the region, meaning colleagues from organisations within the ICS can access this service free of charge.

How does a colleague access this service?

To access the service, colleagues should complete the 2-minute Alcohol Test in the first instance. This test will produce a risk level, which will tailor the support offered to the individual. This might include signposting to local support services or the offer of free 1:1 coaching sessions with DrinkCoach specialists.

What personalised support is available through DrinkCoach?

Colleagues that complete the 2-minute Alcohol Test will be presented with a range of support options upon completion. Those who are identified as being above a certain level of risk will be offered a free 1:1 session with a DrinkCoach, who will work with the colleague to assist them in accessing the most appropriate support.

Amongst the personalised support offered through this service includes the creation of a personalised plan. Those who fall within a certain scoring range will also be offered access to a programme of free and confidential online coaching sessions with a qualified alcohol treatment specialist from DrinkCoach.

Who is this service for?

This service is for all health and social care colleagues within the North East and North Cumbria ICS. While those with high risk drinking may benefit most from the support, functions such as alcohol intake tracking and the 2-minute alcohol test create a better understanding around consumption, calories and cost for everyone who drinks.

What is the purpose of the 2-minute Alcohol Test?

The 2-Minute Alcohol Test produces a risk-level based on alcohol consumption. This produces different tailored support offerings to the individual. The test also helps the colleague to understand what their intake can look like in units, calories and cost.

I have another query – who can I contact?

For further information about DrinkCoach and its services, please visit drinkcoach.org.uk or contact Christine Ormerod on Christine.Ormerod@humankindcharity.org.uk.

You can also get in touch with the NENC Alcohol Strategic Manager Sarah Hulse at sarah.hulse1@nhs.net.

What is the 2-Minute Alcohol Test?

The 2-Minute Alcohol Test is a digitised Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) offering users information and advice about their drinking. All tests are free, quick and confidential. Upon completion of a test, users are informed of their level of risk and offered the option to create a plan, find and access local support and learn more about the risk they are at.

Those who are identified as being high-risk through completion of the test will be offered a session with a DrinkCoach, who will be able to direct the user to suitable support. This might include a programme of free 1:1 online coaching sessions with a qualified alcohol treatment specialist.

What is the online coaching offer?

Those identified as at high risk when completing the alcohol test will be able to access a session with a DrinkCoach to explore the support options available to them. Those who fall within a certain range of risk will be offered a short programme of free and confidential 1:1 online coaching sessions with qualified alcohol treatment specialists from DrinkCoach.  

DrinkCoach specialists make use of years of experience to deliver interventions to high risk drinkers via an online platform, providing a professional, convenient and confidential way to discuss alcohol consumption and receive expert guidance. Specialists will work with colleagues to develop a personalised plan and help them to achieve goals.