When you are drinking at home you can get a false sense of security. You still need to think about the number of units of alcohol you are drinking, to protect your health.
Know Your Units - They All Add Up
The NHS recommends that:
You should also take a break for 48 hours after a heavy session to let your body recover.
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.
Sensible Drinking at Home
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Have something to eat before your first drink of the evening
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Replace your second drink with a soft drink instead of more wine
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If you normally wash down your dinner with a beer or two, make it a half pint
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A bottle of wine may contain more than 10 units of alcohol. If two people finish it off you will exceed the limit for healthy drinking
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A soft or hot drink is a much healthier choice than a shot of whisky for a nightcap
Tips When Staying In
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Do not mix alcohol with any kind of medication as it can reduce the drug's effects and be harmful
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Do not mix alcohol with recreational drugs, especially stimulants such as ecstasy or cocaine
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If you are drinking wine, try using a smaller glass - a small glass of wine (ABV 12 per cent) is about 1.5 units but a large glass of stronger wine can contain three units or more
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It may be best not to drink if you have mental health problems like depression - it could make these worse
