What are you having?
12/11/2012
To support Alcohol Awareness Week 19-25 November 2012, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust is reminding people that if you drink alcohol irresponsibly you may be putting your health at risk.
Deirdre Magill, Drugs and Alcohol Co-ordinator, Southern Trust said: “Most adults in Northern Ireland, who choose to drink, do so responsibly. However, there are those who fall outside of the recommended safe amounts of alcohol consumption per week. These limits are recommended by the government in order to protect our physical health/emotional wellbeing against many of the long-term risk factors associated with excessive alcohol consumption”.
The recommended safe limits are: Women two to three units per day and Men three to four units per day. These are daily guidelines however it is recommended that you do not consume alcohol every day or consume your weekly amounts over 1 or 2 sittings. The more you drink, the greater the health risks. Health risks include: cancer, including breast and liver cancer; strokes and heart problems; pancreatitis; gastritis; high blood pressure; fertility problems; mental health problems and temporary impotence.
Did you know?
Over 45’s are three times more likely to drink alcohol every day.
People who work are more likely to drink alcohol than unemployed people.
Around 200,000 people come to work with a hangover every day.
Alcohol is the second biggest factor for cancer after smoking.
Examples of units:
• 70cl bottle of wine - 7 to 10 units
• Small pub bottle of wine - 2.25 units
• Standard 275ml of alcopops - 1.5 to 1.8 units
• 70cl bottle of alcopops - 3.75 to 4.5 units
• Pub measure of spirits - 1.5 units
• Can of extra strong lager - 4 units
• Bottle of lager - 1.5 units
• Pint of standard lager - 2.5 units
• Pint of premium larger - 3 units
• Pint of cider - 3 units
• Pint of stout - 2.5 units
You can download an Alcohol Units Calculator and complete an Alcohol MOT questionnaire on the Southern Trust’s website www.southerntrust.hscni.net – Healthy Living – Alcohol and Drugs.
If you do choose to drink alcohol:
DON’T:
• Ever drink and drive
• Drink on an empty stomach
• Mix alcohol with other drugs
• Drink in rounds as this may speed up your drinking
• Leave your drinks unattended
DO:
• Take sips rather than gulps
• Alternate each alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic drink e.g. water or a soft drink
• Set yourself a limit and try to stick to it (refer to daily alcohol limits)
• Take frequent breaks from drinking to give your body time to recover
• Tell friends and family where you are going and who you will be with
For further information and support contact Deirdre Magill, Southern Trust on Tel: 028 3083 4325
