Is drink putting your health at risk?
Lots of people like to unwind with a glass of something at the end of the day, but a couple of drinks a night can soon add up and drinking too much too often can put your health at risk. It’s important to know how much you are drinking and how to cut down. Men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. By sticking to these guidelines you can lower your risk of harming your health.
It is recommended that men and women should drink no more than 2-3 units per day and no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 days or more.
It is also recommended to have at least two alcohol free days a week.
Once you start cutting down, you'll probably notice the benefits such as; sleeping better and being less tired during the day, feeling healthier, being able to concentrate better and you may lose weight (alcohol contains calories). Think of how much money you’ll save too!
The biggest benefit is the reduced risk to your health, but there are lots of other long term benefits too. If you regularly drink above the lower risk guidelines, cutting down on alcohol can help reduce your risk of developing serious health problems such as; liver problems, high blood pressure (which could lead to having a heart attack or stroke) and some types of cancer.
Alcoholic drinks contain different amounts of alcohol. The amount of alcohol in any can or bottle is typically shown as ABV (alcohol by volume) or as a measure of how many units of alcohol there are in each drink.
Knowing how many units there are in your drinks helps you to keep track of how much alcohol you drink so you can reduce the risks to your health and those around you.
Thinking about how much you drink is just as important as eating more healthily and finding ways to exercise. Even small changes can make a big difference.
For example, instead of the usual pint of lager or large glass of wine – switch to half a pint or a small glass of wine.
WANT MORE SUPPORT AND ADVICE?
If you feel you need support to cut down on your drinking - Knowsley Integrated Recovery Service (CGL) are there to help you. They offer confidential, free, friendly and non-judgmental advice to help you cut down.
Telephone: 0151 482 6291 or 07780 495742 (out of hours)
DID YOU KNOW?
Alcohol is high in sugar and contains lots of calories. A pint of lager has the same amount of calories as a slice of pizza or a packet of crisps! Click here to find out about the calories in alcohol.