Alcohol

Sensible drinking levels

No more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol per day for men and no more than 21 units a week.

No more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol per day for women, and no more than 14 units a week.

A unit of alcohol is half a pint of ordinary strength beer or lager, one pub measure of spirits or a small glass of wine.  However, some strong beers may contain up to 2.5 units of alcohol per half pint.  Also many home measures are much bigger than the standard pub measure, so it is important to be aware of how much you are drinking.

A small amount of alcohol can be good for you - eg 1 to 2 units a day can protect you from heart disease. Drinking in moderation can therefore be part of a healthy diet. But regularly drinking more than the recommended sensible drinking levels can seriously damage your health.

Alcohol Concern's website, www.howsyourdrink.org.uk, has been created to help anyone who has ever wondered whether they drink too much, or is concerned about a friend's or family member's drinking habits.  The site contains information about drinking, the telltale signs of drinking too much, facts on drinking and health and tips on cutting down.  It also features a short, interactive test which gives scientifically based recommendations to help people decide whether they need to change their drinking pattern and what kind of help they might need.  The site may refer people with more serious drink problems to "Down Your Drink", a six week online programme designed to help them develop safer drinking habits.

Cutting Down

If you feel that you might need to cut back on the amount you are drinking, try the following:

• Go out a bit later in the evening
• Buy lower strength beer
• Try alcohol free alternatives
• Set yourself a sensible limit on each occasion
• Try doing something else to relax