News > Using electronic media

A new mobile phone application that helps people to keep track of their drinking during the festive period was launched this week by Public Health Minister Gillian Merron.

To coincide with the start of the Christmas period, the Department of Health has released the first official alcohol tracker application for mobile phones. Available from iTunes and the NHS Choices website it helps people to:

• Work out how many alcoholic units there are in a glass of wine or pint of beer for example;
• See how much alcohol they have consumed over a set period, such as a week or month;
• Get personalised feedback on their drinking habits;
• Find local NHS clinics and advice centres.

Chief Executive of Drinkaware Chris Sorek said:

'Efforts to help people keep track of how much they’re drinking over the festive season and throughout the year are a good idea.  Trying to stick within the daily unit guidelines will help people avoid the January slump and the long term health implications associated with drinking too much alcohol.'

If you have an iPhone or iPod touch you can download the free NHS Drinks Tracker from the app store straight from your phone. It allows you to keep a drink diary and get feedback on your drinking. For those that do not have a smartphone, they can text the word ‘UNIT’ to ‘64746’ to receive information on NHS Choices alcohol units calculator.

www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Toolslibrary.aspx