Alcohol is often considered as social – which is why it can be easy to lose sight of the dangers of single occasion drinking.
The NHS recommends a “weekly limit of 14 units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine.”
If you go beyond this weekly limit, you’ll risk damaging your health.
If you’re reading this thinking ‘I’ll drink that on a single night’ then remember that you’re increasing your chances of…
- Alcohol poisoning
- Accidents resulting in death or injury
- Misjudging situations
- Losing self-control
- Worsening mental health
To reduce these risks, make sure you’re wary of how much you’re drinking; the speed at which you’re drinking; and to drink with food. It also helps to alternate with water to keep yourself hydrated.
It’s also important to remember that excessive single-occasion drinking can very quickly lead to alcoholism.
To check up on how much you’re drinking, use this unit calculator.