Alcohol Awareness
The summer months can mean an increase in social activities and drinking, with the warmer weather, BBQs, and fun days out, all with a cheeky drink or two added in, but let’s not forget there can be some substantial benefits to choosing to bin the booze. Just like anything we put into our bodies, moderation and awareness is key.
Knowing how much alcohol you’re consuming can help you stay in control of your drinking, but are you confused about how many units of alcohol are in your drinks? It's so easy to be confused with all the different types of drinks, glass sizes, and bottles - but don't worry, we've got you covered!
Knowledge is the key to controlling your drinking habits so the next time you're out with friends or enjoying drinks at home, you can be aware of how much alcohol you're consuming by keeping an eye on the number of units in each one.
Men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.
See the guide below to find out how many units are in your favourite tipple.
| Type of drink | Number of alcohol units |
|---|---|
| Single small shot of spirits* (25ml, ABV 40%) | 1 unit |
| Alcopop (275ml, ABV 5.5%) | 1.5 units |
| Small glass of red/white/rosé wine (125ml, ABV 12%) | 1.5 units |
| Standard glass of red/white/rosé wine (175ml, ABV 12%) | 2.1 units |
| Large glass of red/white/rosé wine (250ml, ABV 12%) | 3 units |
| Bottle of lager/beer/cider (330ml, ABV 5%) | 1.7 units |
| Can of lager/beer/cider (440ml, ABV 5.5%) | 2.4 units |
| Pint of lower-strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 3.6%) | 2 units |
| Pint of higher-strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 5.2%) | 3 units |
*Gin, rum, vodka, whisky, tequila and Sambuca. Large (35ml) single measures of spirits are 1.4 units.
The harm caused by alcohol affects millions of people every year, whether that be health problems, financial worries, relationship breakdown, or family difficulties. Being informed of the potential health risks of drinking can help you make educated decisions on how much you drink because your health should always be a priority!
Men and women are advised to drink no more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, if you drink less than this a week it is considered to be low-risk drinking. If you regularly drink 14 units a week you should try to spread this over three or more days and to aim for several drink free days each week.
Ways to cut down on alcohol:
- If you are going out drinking think about how much you are going to drink and only take enough money with you to cover this cost.
- Cut back on your unit consumption by reducing the size of your drink, have a small glass of wine instead of a large one, or have bottled beer instead of pints.
- Stay hydrated by alternating alcoholic drinks with a soft drink, water, or a non-alcoholic drink.
- Let your friends and family know you're cutting down and that it's important to you, they can help support you and they may even join in too.
- Take it one day at a time.
Apart from improving your health, there are many other benefits to cutting down the amount of alcohol that you drink, including feeling better in the mornings, having better looking skin and being less tired during the day. It’s also easier to maintain your weight and a healthy diet if you cut down on alcohol.
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