For many, alcohol is a manageable and controllable part of their social life and it causes them little harm or worry. However, regularly drinking more than 14 units a week (approx. 6 pints of  average strength beer or 5 large glasses of wine) can lead to a wide range of long-term health problems.

Units are a simple way of expressing the quantity of pure alcohol in a drink. Men and women are advised that it’s safest not to drink more than 14 units a week – these should be spread evenly over a week (maximum 2-3 units a days), with 2-3 days being alcohol free. 

If you, or someone you know is drinking more than they think they should or would like to cut down, please speak to a professional – either their GP or someone at the local alcohol treatment services.  

Tips to help you cut down at home or on a night out

•  If you are the designated driver don’t drink alcohol at all – even small amounts affect reaction times
•  Make every second drink non-alcoholic – ‘a spacer, not a chaser’ – also known as ‘Zebra Stripe’ drinking
•  Eat before you go out – you will drink less quickly on a full stomach
•  Ditch getting rounds in – they can draw you into drinking more than you planned
•  Substitute your usual tipple for lower percentage or no alcohol versions – such as light beers, or a lower Alcohol By Volume percentage (ABV) wine
•  If visiting friends take some non-alcoholic drinks along with you
•  Have 2 or 3 alcohol-free nights a week
•  If a friend drops in offer them tea, coffee or juice
•  Do exercise straight from work, not going home first, this can help relieve tension
•  Change your ‘after work routine’ – put the kettle on when you get home instead of grabbing a wine or beer

Apps and other self-help tools

The One You Drink Free Days app is a useful tool to assist you in reducing your alcohol consumption. 

One You Drink Free Days app 

Download on the App store Download on Google Play 

The Better Health page has other tips and apps you can try to help you to Drink Less 

 

 

Drinking alcohol in pregnancy

Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to you baby, with the more you drink the greater the risk. 

If you have drunk small amounts of alcohol and then found out you are pregnant, you should avoid drinking any more. If you are worried about the risk to your baby, please see you midwife or GP. 

Drinking and driving

There are strict alcohol limits for drivers, but it’s hard to say how many drinks this equates to as it’s different for each person so it’s safest not to drink any alcohol if you intend to drive. 

A number of factors affect the way that alcohol has an impact on your ability to drive, these include- 

• Your weight, age, gender and metabolism (the rate that your body uses energy) 

• The strength (Alcohol By Volume (ABV))of the drink you consume 

• The amount of alcohol you drink 

• What and when you’ve eaten 

• Your stress levels at the time. 

Driving the morning after you have had a heavy drinking session could be just as dangerous so if you are intending to drink heavily, ensure that you don’t need to drive the next day. For more information about the legal limits of alcohol please follow the link below. 

Penalties for drink driving

You could be imprisoned, banned from driving and face a fine if found guilty of drink-driving. If you are in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink, you could receive : 

• 3 months imprisonment 
• up to £2,500 fine 
• a possible driving ban 
• If you drive or attempt to drive while above the legal limit or are unfit through drink you could: 
• receive a 6 month ban 
• receive an unlimited fine 
• receive a ban from driving for at least a year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years) 

Drink driving penalties – gov.uk