The latest report from the Chief Medical Officer recommends no more than 14 units per week for both men and women in order to minimise the potential health risks. This should be spread evenly over three or more days per week with the advice including several drink-free days per week.

Resources

Department of Health. UK Chief Medical Officers’ Low Risk Drinking Guidelines. 2016.

AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C)

• (1) How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

• (2) How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking? 

• (3) How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion? 

• AUDIT-C

CAGE questionnaire for detecting Alcoholism

• Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?

• Have people Annoyed you to by criticizing your drinking? 

• Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking? 

• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (Eye opener)? (≥2 indicates high suspicion for alcoholism). 

• CAGE Questionnaire

Alcohol - problem drinking

• Raised GGT/MCV

• Alcohol - problem drinking (CKS)

• Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis and management of physical complications (NICE CG115)

How many units?

In order to work out how many units there are in any drink, multiply the total volume of a drink (in ml) by its ABV (measured as a percentage) and divide the result by 1,000. 

• 500 ml x 5 cans = 2,500 ml

• 2,500 (ml) x 5 (%) / 1000 = 12.5 units per day

• 12.5 units x 7 days = 87.5 units per week

• Daily consumption = 12.5 units (weekly 87.5 units)

Resource

• Department of Health. UK Chief Medical Officers’ Low Risk Drinking Guidelines. 2016.

Also see: alcoholic liver disease