Drinking guidelines

• Men should not regularly drink more than three to four units a day.
• Women should not regularly drink more than two to three units a day.
• No alcohol for 48 hours after a heavy drinking session.
• Avoid alcohol completely if you're pregnant or trying to conceive. But if you do drink, drink no more than one to two units once or twice a week.

So how much is too much?

It’s widely reported that excessively drinking alcohol over a long period can significantly impact your health.  It can cause liver problems, depression, reduced fertility, high blood pressure, increased risk of various cancers and forgetfulness.

There is no guaranteed ‘safe’ level of drinking but there is a lower risk level for which the risks of harm are in general relatively low.

The risk levels of drinking are classified as:

• Lower risk drinkers are men who don't regularly drink more than three to four units of alcohol a day and women who do not regularly drink above two to three units a day.
• Increasing risk drinkers are men who regularly drink above three to four units of alcohol a day and women who regularly drink above two to three units a day.
• Higher risk drinkers are men who regularly drink more than eight units a day or 50 units a week and women who regularly drink more than six units a day or 35 units a week.

If you want some help to manage your alcohol intake, have concerns about a friends or just need some advice call 01706 860033.