Best Health for Everyone

Alcohol

Drinking sensibly
Drinking small amounts of alcohol is a pleasant social activity for many people. However, as the amount you drink and the number of times you drink increases, so do the risks. The risks associated with excessive alcohol drinking include raised blood pressure, stomach disorders, depression and emotional disorders, malnutrition and liver disorders.

Regularly drinking too much means that you are more likely to die early from liver disease or be admitted to hospital for health problems linked to drinking alcohol.

Sensible drinking guidelines

  • Women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day and a maximum of 14 units a week
  • Men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day and a maximum of 21 units a week
  • Drink alcohol on no more than five days a week
  • Have a day off between drinking days and don’t drink for 48 hours after a binge
  • Pregnant women, women trying to conceive and people with certain medical conditions should not drink alcohol at all
  • If you regularly drink more than 15-34 units for women and 22-49 units for men per week you should see your GP for advice

Track your drinking
To find out if you need to cut down, take the Drinking self-assessment. It’ll help you assess the effects of your drinking. If it suggests that you’re drinking too much, you’ll get advice on how to cut down.

Keep tabs on your drinking with the Alcohol Tracker. The application calculates the units of alcohol in your drinks, and it helps you work out whether you need to cut down.

Because drinks come in all shapes and sizes, it can be hard to keep track of your units. Use the Unit calculator to add them up and help you monitor your drinking levels.

Help available
If you are misusing alcohol, or if you are concerned about a friend or relative, contact your GP who will help you to access the right health services.

The following local and national services can also be accessed.

Drinkline (Mon-Fri 9am-11pm, Sat & Sun 6pm-11pm)
Tel: 0800 917 8282

Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel: 0843 769 7555

Alcohol Concern
Tel: 020 7395 4000 

NHS Direct - for details of your local GP
Tel: 0845 4647

Swanswell alcohol services
Swanswell House
Norton Street
Coventry
CV1 5FY
Tel: 02476 226619
Fax: 02476 225552
Email: admin@swanswell.org

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  • GP
    GP stands for General Practitioner. GPs are family doctors.