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Alcohol and Your Health

Know Your Units - They All Add Up
Visit the NHS Know Your Units website to find out more about alcohol and your health

Find practical advice about the effects of alcohol on your health.

Alcohol can play a major part in many people's social lives. And if you are drinking at home you can get a false sense of security.

That is why it is easy to forget that it is actually a very powerful drug. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down your body's responses in all kinds of ways.

Health Risks of Alcohol

There is a big difference between enjoying a drink and drinking in a harmful way. Heavy drinking, especially on a regular basis, can lead to serious health problems. You can find out more in this section:

If you are worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call Drinkline on 0800 917 8282 for free and confidential advice, open 24 hours a day.

Your Drinking and You NHS Booklet
Your Drinking and You NHS Booklet - [855 KB] Download an NHS booklet with the facts on alcohol, health harms and how to drink less. Uncover alcohol's hidden effects - drinking causes damage you cannot see.
Alcohol Units and You NHS Leaflet
Alcohol Units and You NHS Leaflet - [1.04 MB] Download an advice leaflet produced by the NHS for the Know Your Units - They All Add Up campaign. The NHS recommends that men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol daily and women not more than 2-3 units.
Alcohol and Pregnancy NHS Leaflet
Alcohol and Pregnancy NHS Leaflet - [527 KB] Download an advice leaflet produced by the NHS. Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol. If they do choose to drink, to protect the baby, they should not drink more than 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.
Getting Help - Drug and Alcohol Services in East Sussex NHS Leaflet
Getting Help - Drug and Alcohol Services in East Sussex NHS Leaflet - [175 KB] Download a guide produced by NHS East Sussex Community Health Services, with contact details including East Sussex Under 19s Substance Misuse Service, Action for Change Eastbourne, Wealden & Lewes, and Alcoholics Anonymous East Sussex.
Drinking, You and Your Mates - Leaflet for Young People
Drinking, You and Your Mates - Leaflet for Young People - [556 KB] Download a leaflet published by the Home Office for young people aged 18-24 about the consequences of binge drinking. Know your limits - how does your night end? Find out how alcohol can affect you, how you can stay safe when drinking and what to do if someone is in trouble after drinking too much.
Have Fun, Stay Safe Poster - Eat Before You Go Out
Have Fun, Stay Safe Poster - Eat Before You Go Out - [185 KB] A poster from the Have Fun, Stay Safe alcohol awareness campaign in East Sussex. Why not have something to eat before you go out? Then try alternating alcohol with water - you will get less dehydrated.
Have Fun, Stay Safe Poster - Get Home Safely
Have Fun, Stay Safe Poster - Get Home Safely - [134 KB] A poster from the Have Fun, Stay Safe alcohol awareness campaign in East Sussex. Try alternating alcohol with water - you will get less dehydrated. Then get home safely by using a licenced taxi.
Have Fun, Stay Safe Poster - Use a Condom
Have Fun, Stay Safe Poster - Use a Condom - [134 KB] A poster from the Have Fun, Stay Safe alcohol awareness campaign in East Sussex. Try alternating alcohol with water - you will get less dehydrated. Then, if things get romantic - remember: no condom, no sex!