alcohol consumption (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.