Advice on drinking alcohol

The Department of Health is offering advice on how to drink moderate amounts of alcohol and how drinking too much can be harmful.

What is a unit of alcohol?

One unit of alcohol is equivalent to 10ml of pure alcohol. As a rough guide:

1 pint of strong lager = 3 units

1 pint of ordinary lager, bitter or cider, 175ml glass of wine = 2 units

1 alcopop = 1.5 units

1 measure of spirits  = 1 unit

Many wines are around 11 or 12 per cent alcohol therefore a small glass = 1.5 units

Lagers and ciders sold in bottles are usually stronger than those sold on draught. You can find out exactly how many units of alcohol are in the bottle by reading the label.

How long alcohol stays in your bloodstream?

On average, the body can breakdown alcohol at a rate of one unit per hour (depending on your weight, sex, age, metabolism, stress levels, amount of food eaten, medication taken and type of alcohol consumed). If you get drunk avoid alcohol for 48 hours afterwards to give your body time to recover.

When not to drink

Do not drink if a doctor or other health professional advises you to cut down, or to stop drinking, or, for example:

Before or when operating machinery and equipment

Using electrical equipment

Taking part in active sport

You are trying to become pregnant

You are pregnant

Health risks

The abuse of alcohol can lead to a wide range of health problems. In the short term it may cause you to experience drowsiness, tension, dehydration, unconsciousness or even death. In the long term, it is known to contribute to more serious health problems, including liver damage, cancer and heart disease.

Drink driving

The UK legal limit is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood - as a rough guide this means men should consume no more than four units of alcohol, and women no more than three units, before driving. Still, there is no fail-safe guide as to how much you can drink and stay under the limit. The only safe way to avoid a fatal accident, driving ban and/or large fine is not to drink if you plan to drive.

Dealing with a drink problem

You don't have to be an alcoholic to be drinking over a safe limit. With this in mind the NHS has developed a free and confidential online Down Your Drink programme. It tells drinkers what they need to know to become a 'thinking drinker'.

Getting support and treatment

Along with your local doctor, there are a range of local support organisations like Alcoholics Anonymous that may be able to refer you to structured treatment, such as rehabilitation or detox.

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