Alcohol Use
The majority of adults in Northern Ireland drink alcohol at some level. Most drink within safe guidelines but a lot do drink at levels that pose a risk to their health if sustained. We all accept that too much alcohol can be bad for you. But do you know how much is too much?
Drinking guidelines were published in 2016 for people over 18 years of age, based on medical evidence.
- Every unit you drink over the daily limit increases the risk to your health.
- You are safest not to drink regularly more than 14 units per week, to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level.
- If you do drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread this evenly over 3 days or more. If you have one or two heavy drinking sessions, you increase your risks of death from long term illnesses and from accidents and injuries.
- The risk of developing a range of illnesses (including, for example, cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases with any amount you drink on a regular basis.
- If you wish to cut down the amount you’re drinking, a good way to help achieve this is to have several drink-free days each week.
If you are concerned about your alcohol use ASCERT Alcohol Services can provide you with support if you want to discuss ways to reduce your drinking.
Friends and family members affected by another person's drinking have needs as well. It can be difficult to deal with the stress and strain caused by the person's alcohol use but we can provide advice and support to help manage the situation better, whether or not the person with the alcohol issue is seeking help.
If you are concerned about your own drinking or are affected by a family members alcohol use you can speak with one of our team by calling ASCERT 0800 2545123
You can also find more information and on-line tools you can use to assess your alcohol use by visiting the Alcohol and You website at www.alcoholandyouni.com
