Safer Drinking Information

The government’s sensible drinking limits are:

• 3 to 4 units per day for men;
• 2 to 3 units per day for women.

Regularly exceeding the sensible drinking limits can place you at increased risk of long-term health problems, including: cancer; brain damage; heart disease; stroke; liver disease and damage to the stomach.

Units

A unit is a standard measure that can apply to all forms of alcohol.  There is a quick and easy way of calculating units:
Volume x ABV
1000
Alternatively, you can always look at the label as most now have the units detailed.

Many people finds the “units” system confusing.  In terms of what you drink at a bar, pub or club, some equivalents are below:

• 1 pint of premium, continental lager = 3 units;
• 1 pint of pint of stout = 2.3 units;
• 1 bottle of alcopop = 1.4 units;
• 1 175ml glass of wine = 1.9 units;
• 1 25ml shot of spirit = 1 unit.

Try counting the calories.  Alcohol has a high calorific value: a 175ml glass of white wine has 130 calories; a pint of a 4% ABV beer or lager has 170 calories; and a 25ml shot of tequila has 160 calories.

Moderation

There are some easy ways in which you can moderate your drinking:

• Know your limit and keep to it;
• Stick to lower strength beers, wine and spirits;
• Stick to smaller measures;
• Try to avoid drinking every night, have a few nights off;
• Alternate alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks;
• Find alternative ways of socialising.
• Use a drinks’ diary to look at what you are drinking and when.
• Make a plan – DON’T JUST STOP.

For further information about alcohol use and misuse, there are a number of websites to refer to:

Alcohol Concern – http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/home
Department of Health – Alcohol Know Your Limits - http://units.nhs.uk
Drink Aware Trust –  http://www.drinkaware.co.uk
Think – Road Safety – Department of Transport - http://www.dft.gov.uk/think