Alcohol is something to be enjoyed and 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 drink more than 3 - 4 units of alcohol per day, and women should drink no more than 2 - 3 units of alcohol per day. These daily benchmarks apply whether you drink every day, once or twice a week, or occasionally.

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 bitter (John Smith's, Boddingtons) - 2 units
A pint of ordinary strength cider (Dry Blackthorn, Strongbow) - 2 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

Remember that lagers and ciders sold in bottles are usually stronger than those sold on draught. The labels of some bottled drinks will tell you how many units of alcohol are in the bottle.

If you get drunk:
Avoid alcohol for 48 hours after an episode of drunkenness to give your body time to recover.

Different situations
There are some occasions when it makes sense to drink less than the daily benchmarks, or not to drink at all.

The Department of Health advises women who are trying to become pregnant or are at any stage of pregnancy, should not drink more than 1 or 2 units of alcohol once or twice a week, and should avoid episodes of intoxication.

We advise people not to drink:
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 you to cut down or to stop drinking.

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 between 9am and 11pm on Tuesdays to Thursdays and from 9am on Fridays mornings until 11pm on Monday evenings.

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.

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 2004