Heavy drinking
This is drinking above the recommended 'safe' limits which are:
- Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, and no more than four units in any one day.
- Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and no more than three units in any one day. (Pregnant women should not drink at all.)
One unit of alcohol is in about half a pint of beer, or two thirds of a small glass of wine, or one small pub measure of spirits. See separate leaflet called 'Alcohol and Sensible Drinking' for details.
Drinking above the recommended safe limit is hazardous. That is, it increases your risk of developing diseases such as cirrhosis (liver damage), damage to the pancreas, certain cancers, heart problems, sexual problems, and other conditions. About 1 in 3 men, and about 1 in 7 women, drink more than the safe limit. In general, the more you drink, the greater the risk.
For example, if a man drinks five units each day (not greatly over the recommended limit) then, on average, he doubles his risk of developing liver disease, raised blood pressure , some cancers, and of having a violent death.
Problem (harmful) drinking
This is where you continue to drink heavily even though you have caused harm, or are causing harm or problems to yourself, family, or society. For example, you may:
- Have cirrhosis or another alcohol related condition.
- Binge drink and get drunk quite often. This may cause you to lose time off work, or behave in an antisocial way when you drink. But note: not everybody with problem drinking binges or gets drunk. Many people with an alcohol related condition such as cirrhosis drink small amounts frequently, but do not get drunk.
- Spend more money on alcohol than you can afford.
- Have problems with your relationships or at work because of your drinking.
Many problem drinkers are not dependent on alcohol. They could stop drinking without withdrawal symptoms if they wanted to. But, for one reason or another, they continue to drink heavily.
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carolyn, about 1 year
Been drinking on average about 50 units a week for last 2years as like nights out and love a bottle of wine,seem to have no ill effects but worried about liver damage
Report this commentJohn Flegg, about 1 year
not once do i see the Mention of Alcoholics Anonymous who are by the way completely self surporting and do not ask of any cost to the Alcoholic and help millions of Alcoholics world wide. there cost to the tax payer is nothing. I my self am a recovering Alcoholic who with the help of this fellowship have been sober now for 11 years. before this i must have costed the health service and tax payer thousands at my estimate. help line phone number is 0845 769 7555
Report this commentDanii, about 1 year
i didn't think that this article was helpful because it is so boring and it doesn't stand out. this means that this is boring to read, i would prefer little sentences and fact rather than tones of writing. it would also help to add some more pictures and graphs this would liven up the site.the colours are good but maybe some more on the actual page rather than the title of the site, but other than all of the other things i have mensioned this site is quite useful, but please use this information i have given you and take it into consideration as i believe it could make your site a lot better than it already is. thank you for your time yours sincerely danii
Report this commentA thelp, about 1 year
The government guidlines of half a pint equals one unit were created when most people drank beer that was 3.5 % Stella is 5.2% on draught.
Report this commentDanielle, about 1 year
I found the site quite interesting and it has meade me realise the problems caused by drinking
Report this commentDanielle :), about 1 year
it's ok if u no wot any of it means lyk a funt it awryt but it duznae realli say wot happened lol
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carolyn, about 1 year
If you only allowed 3units a day its a waste of time
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