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Alcohol Awareness Week: Thinking about your drinking 

This week is Alcohol Awareness Week. The campaign, led by Alcohol Change UK, encourages us to reflect on our relationship with alcohol and how it affects, or may be affected by, different aspects of our lives.  

 

How much am I drinking & how much is too much?  

Alcohol is measured in units. 1 unit = 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol. There is no risk-free level of alcohol but the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines advise us to keep the health risks from alcohol low by not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week. This is the equivalent of 6 pints of 4% beer or 6 standard glasses (175ml) of 13% wine a week.  

 

Use Alcohol Change UK’s Unit Calculator to check your weekly alcohol intake and take their quick quiz to help you understand any related level of risk.  

 

What are the risks?  

Regularly drinking alcohol increases your risk of stroke, several types of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, poor mental health and damage to the brain and nervous system.  

Your wellbeing may also be negatively affected, as alcohol can impact on your sleep, mood, energy levels, cravings, finances, work, and relationships.   

How can I reduce my risk of alcohol-related harms?  

  • If you regularly drink 14 units a week, try to spread your drinking evenly over 3 or more days and have several drink-free days each week.   

  • Limit the total amount of alcohol you drink on any single occasion.   

  • Drink more slowly, with food, and alternate each alcoholic drink with water.  

  • Consider cutting alcohol down or out. Using Alcohol Change UK’s Try Dry app might help. Do not try this if you think you might be dependent on alcohol – get extra support as alcohol withdrawal can be fatal.  

 

What if I am pregnant or think I could become pregnant?  

The safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to you and your baby to a minimum, you can speak to your midwife for support.  

 

 

For more support and information, you can head to https://www.gdas.wales/ which is Gwent's specialist drug and alcohol service.