*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Alcohol And Drugs

Drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs, such as cocaine or cannabis, can affect how you manage your type 1 diabetes.

Drinking alcohol

You can drink alcohol if you have type 1 diabetes, but be careful how much you drink.

Drinking too much may cause you to have a hypoglycaemia (hypo), possibly as much as 24 hours later.

Talk to your diabetes team about how to drink alcohol safely.

If you're going to drink alcohol:

Do

try to eat a meal with carbohydrate (like pasta) before you drink
make sure your friends can recognise a hypo - a hypo can look like you're drunk
wear a diabetes ID wristband or carry a diabetes ID card so others know that you have type 1 diabetes if needed
choose diet soft drink mixers where possible
check your blood glucose regularly, particularly if you're dancing
check your blood glucose before you go to bed and the next day
eat something if your blood glucose is normal or low
check your blood glucose regularly the next day - a hypo feels similar to a hangover
drink plenty of water the next day

Don't

do not drink too much
do not drink on an empty stomach
do not ignore the signs of a hypo - test and treat it immediately

Diabetes UK has more on drinking alcohol with diabetes.

Drugs and diabetes

It is not clear if taking recreational drugs affects your blood glucose levels, but their effect on you might mean you're not able to manage your blood glucose as normal.

If drugs make you feel spaced out or lose track of time, you might forget to take your insulin.

Some drugs make you lose your appetite and move around more, which can lead to a hypo.

Others slow you down and can make you eat more or feel really low the next day, so you might not manage your blood glucose as well.

If you decide to use recreational drugs, speak to your diabetes team about the best ways to stay safe and manage your diabetes.

Make sure someone you're with knows about your diabetes and how to recognise and treat a hypo.

Diabetes UK has more advice on diabetes and recreational drugs.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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