sensible drinking

Last reviewed 12/2022

The Chief Medical Officers' guideline for both men and women is that:

  • 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

Reference:

  • DOH (January 2016). How to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level: public consultation on proposed new guidelines.