We are bursting with excitement as we have Dr Alex George in the studio this week to talk through a dilemma from a listener who’s thinking about cutting down on alcohol, in the run up to the festive season.

Dr Alex is a former A&E doctor, ex-Love Islander and expert Mental Health Ambassador. He gave up drinking in December 2022, so he couldn’t be better placed to give some advice to our listener.

With the help of psychotherapist Nadiyah Davis, Anna and Dr Alex talk about why it’s not just to do with the amount we drink, but also about reflecting on why we drink and how it makes us feel. They explore what we might gain from cutting down on alcohol, how to deal with the social side of not drinking, and share tips for anyone thinking of giving it a try. They also give advice to a listener seeking purpose in their life, and another listener experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder.

If you’re worried about your alcohol consumption, please see this NHS webpage that has more information and includes advice about getting the help you might need: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/ . You may also like to contact the charity With You who provide free, confidential support to people in England and Scotland who have issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health.