What’s my limit?How manyunits in a drink?
•One 175ml glass of 12% red orwhite wine
= 2 units
•One pint of bitter or normalstrength lager (3-3.5%)
= 2 units
•One pint of strong lager orpilsner
= 3 units
•One single measure (25ml or pubmeasure) of spirits
= 1 unit
•One 275ml bottle of alcopop(5.5%)
= 1.5 unitsTip:
check the label as some bottleddrinks will tell you the number ofunits they contain.Sticking within the recommendeddrinking limit can really help you stayin control and avoid putting yourhealth at risk – which is why it’s goodto know what a unit is and howmany you are drinking. Safe drinkingguidelines are set by the governmentwho recommend that:•
men
should drink no more than 3to 4 units a day•
women
should drink no more than2 to 3 units a day•If you are
pregnant
or trying to getpregnant it is advised to avoiddrinking alcohol. If you do chooseto drink, to minimise the risk to thebaby, you should not drink morethan 1 to 2 units of alcohol onceor twice a week and should notget drunk.
Thisdoesn’tmean that you can saveup all your units for the weekendandbinge drinkas this has healthrisks.
What is safe and sensible to drink alsodepends on other factors like your
medical history
and whether you aretaking
medication
. For example,drinking alcohol may interfere withsome medicines and cause them tostop working or work less effectively.It may also cause side effects. Always
read the label or check with yourpharmacist
, doctor or practice nursebefore drinking alcohol when you areon medication.
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