With the festive season looming, you might be tempted to indulge in a little more alcohol than usual. The NHS recommends that both men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week. See our handy guide below for what a unit actually is – your intake may be more than you think.

 

Impact on health

Alcohol can cause major health problems that include diseases of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart, mouth, throat, larynx and colon, to name but a few, as well as contributing to high blood pressure and depression. The relationship between alcohol and disease is mostly related to the amount of alcohol consumed; i.e. the more you drink, the greater the risk.  

 

Driving

It goes without saying that you should not drink alcohol if you’re driving. Take a taxi or, if you’re out with friends, appoint a designated driver. The legal limit for driving is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, but it’s difficult to tell when you’ve hit that limit. Alcohol affects each individual differently, depending on factors such as age, weight, the type of drink, how quickly you drink and what you’ve eaten. If you drink and drive, you are more likely to feel more confident, have poorer judgement and could find your reactions slowing and your field of vision reduced. It’s really not worth the risk. Not only is it dangerous for you and others, you risk losing your licence, getting a hefty fine or even imprisonment. It’s also important to remember that the effects of alcohol may still be with you the morning after the night before. For more advice on drinking and alcohol, visit the NHS website.