Sensible Drinking

For those who drink, alcohol is something to be enjoyed. Most of the time, drinking doesn't cause any problems but drinking too much or at the wrong time can be harmful. The important thing is to know where the benefits end and the risks begin.

The Department of Health advises that men should not regularly drink more than 3 - 4 units of alcohol per day, and women should not regularly drink more than 2 - 3 units of alcohol per day. After an episode of heavy drinking it is advisable to refrain from drinking for 48 hours to allow your body to recover. This is a short term measure. People whose pattern of drinking places them at significant risk should seek professional advice.

What is a unit of alcohol?

A unit of alcohol is 10ml of pure alcohol. Counting units of alcohol can help us to keep track of the amount we're drinking. The list below shows the number of units of alcohol in common drinks:

A pint of ordinary strength lager (Carling Black Label, Fosters) - 2 units
A pint of strong lager (Stella Artois, Kronenbourg 1664) - 3 units
A pint of ordinary bitter (John Smith's, Boddingtons) - 2 units
A pint of best bitter (Fuller's ESB, Young's Special) - 3 units
A pint of ordinary strength cider (Woodpecker) - 2 units
A pint of strong cider (Dry Blackthorn, Strongbow) - 3 units
A 175ml glass of red or white wine - around 2 units
A pub measure of spirits - 1 unit
An alcopop (eg Smirnoff Ice, Bacardi Breezer, WKD, Reef) - around 1.5 units

Today the labels of many bottled drinks will tell you how many units of alcohol are in the bottle.

Different situations

There are some occasions when it makes sense to drink less than other days, or not to drink at all.

The Department of Health advises that pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol. If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.

We advise people not to drink at all:

Before or when driving
Before or when operating machinery and equipment
Before or when using electrical equipment
Before or when using ladders or working at heights
When it might affect the quality of your work
Before swimming or taking part in active sport
Before or when taking certain medicines
If a doctor or other health professional advises this.

Finding it hard to stop

Sometimes people feel that their own or someone else's drinking is getting out of control. If you are concerned, you should seek help in the first instance from your GP.

As well as visiting your GP you might like to try:

Calling Drinkline. Drinkline is a free and confidential telephone helpline for people who need help and support with their own or someone else's drinking. The Drinkline number is 0800 917 8282 and lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Taking the "Down your Drink" online programme, which tells drinkers what they need to know to stay drinking sensibly. The programme takes less than an hour a week over 6 weeks. It's free, confidential and part of the NHS. Click on the link (top right hand side of the screen) to visit the Down Your Drink website

Sensible drinking

NHS Direct Online provides advice on sensible drinking and information on other healthy lifestyle choices.

The Portman Group is an independent body, funded by the drinks industry, which supports sensible drinking.

Alcohol and health

Alcohol Concern, the main national agency on alcohol misuse, provides a range of factsheets and other materials which give information about alcohol and its effects on the body. The site also includes a search facility which visitors who are concerned about their own or someone else's drinking can use to find an alcohol agency in their local area.

Source: Department of Health 2007