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GP · Alcohol and your health · Private clinic in East London

Private alcohol and your health clinic in London, same-day GP.

Most people who drink more than they intend to are not dependent, and cutting down is straightforward with the right approach. For a smaller group, physical dependence has developed — and for them, stopping abruptly without support is genuinely dangerous. Knowing which group you are in matters. Our private GP clinic in East London offers same-day alcohol and your health assessment with a private GP, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.

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Same-day
appointments
Specialist-led
private care
No referral
needed

The condition

What is alcohol and your health?

Most people who drink more than they intend to are not dependent, and cutting down is straightforward with the right approach. For a smaller group, physical dependence has developed — and for them, stopping abruptly without support is genuinely dangerous. Knowing which group you are in matters.

  • What alcohol and your health is
  • Symptoms to look for
  • Causes & risk factors
  • Tests & diagnosis
  • Treatment options
  • When to see a specialist

Understanding alcohol and your health

Alcohol and your health: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment

Call 999 if someone has

  • a seizure during or after stopping drinking
  • confusion, hallucinations, severe agitation or fever after stopping — possible delirium tremens
  • vomiting blood, or black tarry stools
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes, with confusion or abdominal swelling
  • been unable to be roused after drinking, or is breathing irregularly
  • severe unsteadiness with confusion and eye movement problems

Do not leave someone unconscious after drinking to sleep it off — place them in the recovery position and call 999. Delirium tremens carries a significant mortality and needs hospital treatment. Confusion with unsteadiness and abnormal eye movements suggests Wernicke's encephalopathy, which needs urgent thiamine.

Do not stop suddenly if you are physically dependent

If you drink every day, particularly heavily, and get shakes, sweating, nausea, anxiety or a craving in the morning that improves when you drink, you may be physically dependent. Stopping abruptly can cause seizures and delirium tremens, both of which can be fatal. Do not stop on your own. A medically supported detox with a benzodiazepine regimen and thiamine is safe and available. If you are in this position, that is a reason to seek help sooner rather than a reason to delay.

The UK guideline

14 unitsa week, for men and women alike
3+ daysspread over, with drink-free days
No levelis completely risk-free

A unit is 10ml of pure alcohol. A large glass of wine is around 3 units, a pint of strong lager around 3, and a single 25ml spirit measure 1. Most people substantially underestimate what they drink at home, because home measures are considerably larger than pub ones.

What it does

  • Liver — fatty liver, then hepatitis, then cirrhosis. Fatty liver and hepatitis are reversible; cirrhosis is not.
  • Cancer — alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, causing cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, bowel and breast. Breast cancer risk rises from low levels of drinking, which is not widely known.
  • Blood pressure and heart — raises blood pressure, causes atrial fibrillation, and weakens heart muscle.
  • Mental health — a depressant. It reduces anxiety for two hours and increases it for the following day, which is how the cycle sustains itself.
  • Sleep — shortens time to fall asleep and destroys the second half of the night.
  • Weight, fertility, and interactions with many medicines including paracetamol at high doses.

The 'red wine is good for you' finding has not held up

Older studies appeared to show light drinkers living longer than non-drinkers. Much of that effect came from the comparison group including people who had stopped drinking because they were already ill. Better-designed studies, including genetic ones, show no protective threshold for most outcomes and a straightforward dose-response for cancer and blood pressure. It is fine to drink; it is not a health measure.

Cutting down

What works

  • Setting a specific weekly unit target and tracking it honestly
  • Several drink-free days a week — more effective than reducing every day
  • Measuring home pours; most are double a pub measure
  • Alcohol-free alternatives, which have improved enormously
  • Identifying your two main triggers and planning specifically for them

Less effective

  • Vague intentions to 'cut back'
  • Switching drink types without reducing units
  • Relying on willpower alone in the same situations
  • Drinking on an empty stomach to make less go further
  • Going alone if you are physically dependent

What we check

Liver function including GGT, full blood count with MCV, clotting, ferritin, HbA1c, blood pressure and weight, alongside a structured assessment of your drinking. A FIB-4 score and liver ultrasound assess whether there is fibrosis. Thiamine and vitamin replacement is important in heavy drinkers, and a liver that has been damaged can recover substantially if drinking stops early enough.

GP services we offer

Expert care under one roof

From same-day GP assessment to specialist care, scans and tests — with a clear plan the same visit.

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Same-day GP to start your care.

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For acute problems today.

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Fast CT, MRI & ultrasound.

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Health MOT

A full private health check.

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Seen today, in three easy steps

1

Book in a minute

Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.

2

Seen quickly

A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.

3

Diagnosis & plan

You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.

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Private assessment

See a private GP for alcohol and your health in London

At our private GP clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private GP or alcohol and your health doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant GP will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about alcohol and your health.

Book a private alcohol and your health assessment

Local, private, fast

A private GP clinic for East London & Canary Wharf

Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private alcohol and your health appointment with a GP, without the wait or the referral.

Why choose us

Why choose our East London private GP clinic

  • Same-day, no referral — private GP and GP under one roof
  • Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
  • Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
  • Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
  • A named clinician who explains your results clearly
  • Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on

Ready when you are

See a private GP for alcohol and your health — the same day.

Book a private alcohol and your health assessment in East London: same-day appointments, GP-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.

Book same-day appointment 020 7916 0029

Common questions

Alcohol and your health in London: your questions answered

Where can I find a private alcohol and your health specialist near me in East London?

Our private GP clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private GP or alcohol and your health doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.

Can I see a private GP for alcohol and your health the same day?

Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a GP or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.

How much does a private alcohol and your health appointment cost in London?

We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the alcohol and your health assessment and any tests before you book.

Do I need a referral to see a private GP for alcohol and your health?

No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a GP, we will guide you.

Which areas do you serve for private alcohol and your health care?

We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.

Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.

Explore

Related services & information

Private GP
No referral

Private GP

Same-day GP to start your care.

Urgent Care
Same-day

Urgent Care

For acute problems today.

Private Blood Tests
Fast results

Private Blood Tests

Diagnostic blood tests, explained.

Scans & Imaging
Imaging

Scans & Imaging

Fast CT, MRI & ultrasound.

Insurance accepted
Bupa AXA Health Vitality Aviva Cigna + more — check yours
Trusted partners
CQCCare Quality Commission GMCGeneral Medical Council PabauPractice management & online booking TDLThe Doctors Laboratory
In an emergency, call 999. Tower Bridge Hospital London is not an emergency service. Your nearest A&E is The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road E1 1FR — 5 minutes’ walk from our front door.

Areas we serve

Private alcohol and your health care in London & East London — Whitechapel, the City & Canary Wharf

Patients visit our Whitechapel clinic for private alcohol and your health assessment and treatment from right across London and East London, the City and the Docklands — including Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Bow, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Bermondsey and the surrounding areas. Same-day and walk-in appointments are available and you do not need a GP referral.

Easy to reach — minutes from the Royal London Hospital and Aldgate East, Whitechapel, Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations, and one stop from Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth line.

Private alcohol and your health treatment near me? If you are searching for private alcohol and your health treatment near me, a alcohol and your health doctor or specialist near me, or a private clinic near me in East London, our Whitechapel practice is on your doorstep — walk-in and same-day appointments, no GP referral, and no long NHS waiting list.

Book a same-day appointment or call 020 7916 0029. See our transparent fees. Open 7 days a week, 9am–7pm. Private clinic on Whitechapel Road, London E1 — serving Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Islington, the City of London and Southwark.

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