Useful Facts About Alcohol

A lot of people like a drink and the weekend wouldn't be the weekend without letting our hair down, would it? Alcohol can help us relax with friends and have a good time and there are health benefits to moderate drinking.

However, it's important to remember that alcohol is a potent drug that can be very harmful when consumed to excess and should be handled with care.

So, what do we mean by excess?

Alcohol is a habit-forming drug. Your body gradually develops a greater tolerance to the drug and, over time, will need more alcohol to achieve the same affect. As our bodies become more tolerant of the drug, it will take a higher consumption to make us feel drunk. This does not mean our bodies are not suffering the consequences. Persistent alcohol consumption can cause long-term damage to our organs. That's why everyone, even moderate drinkers, should have one or two alcohol-free days a week.

Alcohol is measured in units. Men are advised to stay within 3 to 4 units in any one day. Women are advised to stay within 2 to 3 units a day.

But one drink isn't always one unit.

Do you actually know what is safe? How many units are in a drink? Or the harm you may be doing to yourself?

Have a look at the chart below-

Lager
1 pint of Stella 5.2% abv	3 units
1 pint of Fosters 4% abv	2.3 units
Cider
1 pint of Strongbow 4.5% abv	2.6 units
Wine
250ml glass red or white wine 12% abv	3 units
750ml bottle of wine 12% abv	9 units
Alcopops
275ml Bacardi Breezer 5% abv	1.4 units
275ml Smirnoff Ice 5% abv	1.4 units
Sprits
Double 50ml Vodka 40% abv	2.8 units
Single 25ml Jack Daniels 40% abv	1.4 units