Depressant
Alcohol is widely available in many varieties, including wine, beer, and spirits, and drinking alcohol is largely viewed as socially acceptable in the UK. Alcohol varies in strength and taste. Labels will always tell you how strong the drink is and will usually outline how many units are in the drink.
If you're dependent, or think you might be, it's important not to stop drinking suddenly.
Read moreIf someone passes out and you can’t wake them up, put them in the recovery position and call 999.
Read moreSweating, shaking, nausea or retching, anxiety, hallucinations, fits or seizures and delirium.
Read moreIt depends on several factors, including your age, weight and metabolism, other drugs you may already have taken, the strength of the drink (abv or % value), and the amount you drink.
Generally speaking, the effects can start within ten minutes, and can last for several hours.
Regularly drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol can:
There is no completely safe level of drinking alcohol, but to help reduce the risk of harm, it is advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week.
This is equivalent to about 6 pints of beer or 6 medium glasses of wine, per week.
These units should ideally be consumed over several days, with a minimum of two alcohol-free days per week.
If you’re concerned about how much you’re drinking, or if you’re worried about someone you know, we’re WithYou.
Contact us via our webchat, find a local service or see the alcohol support we offer.
or think you might be, it’s important that you don’t stop drinking suddenly, as this could lead to very dangerous alcohol withdrawal complications. For support with cutting down your alcohol intake safely, speak to your GP, contact us online or find your local WithYou service.
Some ways of drinking alcohol carry less risk than others. This advice can help you reduce harm.
Adhering to the guidelines - 14 units of alcohol per week (about 6 pints of 4% beer or 6 medium (175ml) glasses of wine) - can help you to reduce the risks of alcohol impacting your health in the longer-term
Everyone responds differently to alcohol, so trying to keep up with others could increase your risk of harm. Things like eating before drinking alcohol, or drinking soft drinks between alcoholic drinks can help you to manage your alcohol consumption
Using a measure to pour drinks can help you to keep track of how much you’re drinking, especially if you’re at home
The recovery position helps to prevent someone unconscious from choking on vomit. If someone is unconscious, putting them in the recovery position, getting help if needed, and staying with them will help to reduce the risk of harm
Looking after and being kind to yourself is important - get plenty of sleep and rest, and try to avoid taking any other drugs to give your body time to recover
Refuelling will help your recovery - this includes drinking plenty of water and eating something nutritious which is soft on your stomach and not too rich
Drinking alcohol to feel better if you have a hangover (‘hair of the dog’) is a common myth. However, if you are alcohol dependent and need to drink more to stop yourself from shaking or experiencing other withdrawal symptoms, it’s important not to stop drinking suddenly
If you think you may be at risk of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) like Hep B, Hep C and HIV, you can access free testing from any drug and alcohol service, your GP, or a sexual health centre
If someone passes out or falls asleep and you can’t wake them up, put them in the recovery position and get help fast by calling 999, telling emergency services what you know.
If your body develops a tolerance to alcohol, you may feel you need to drink more to get the same effects.
You can become dependent on alcohol, and regular use can lead to physical withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop or cut back.
Withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, call 999.
Alcohol withdrawal: the symptoms and what to do about it
For support with cutting down your alcohol intake, contact a local WithYou service, use our Webchat service, or reach out to another drug and alcohol service for advice and support.
In the UK, it’s legal to buy and drink alcohol if you are over the age of 18. It’s against the law for anyone under 18 years of age to buy alcohol in a pub, shop or online, and doing so may result in being arrested or fined.
If you’re concerned about your alcohol use, or if you’re worried about someone you know, we’re WithYou. We provide free, confidential and non-judgemental support and advice. Please don’t hesitate to reach out:
