How many units of alcohol do you drink?
With so many drinks and glass sizes, it can be difficult to know how many units are in your drink.
Here are some useful examples:
| Drink | Number of units | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Can of lager/beer/cider (440ml, ABV 4.5%) | 2 | 194 |
| Pint of lower strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 3.6%) | 2 | 170 |
| Alcopop (275ml, ABV 5.5%) | 1.5 | 160 |
| Bottle of lager/beer/cider (330ml, ABV 5%) | 1.7 | 129 |
| Small glass of red/white/rose wine (125ml, ABV 12%) | 1.5 | 113 |
| Large glass of red/white/rose wine (250ml, ABV 12%) | 3 | 225 |
| Pint of higher strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 5.2%) | 3 | 222 |
| Single small shot of spirits (25ml, ABV 40%) | 1 | 50 |
| Standard glass of red/white/rose wine (175ml, ABV 12%) | 2.1 | 158 |
Using the units above, work out how many units and calories you drink in a day and make a note of this.
What is safe and sensible drinking?
- You should not have more than 14 units a week, and ideally not all together in one session.
- Do not drink on at least two to three days each week.
- Have a glass of water or a soft drink between alcoholic drinks.
- Eat a meal before drinking alcohol.
- Allow at least 12 hours before driving after having alcohol. Increase this time if you have drunk alcohol heavily.
- Do not drink alcohol at all if you are pregnant.
Further alcohol advice is available on the NHS website.
Need to cut down?
- Try a smaller glass: 250mls of wine is a third of a bottle.
- Have a lower strength drink: strong cider is 7.5%, try 5% cider.
- Do not drink during the day.
- Keep a diary of your drinking.
- If you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms, such as shakes, sweats, agitation and retching, do not stop drinking suddenly. Seek advice from your local support services.
Make a note of your personal targets.
What's the potential damage?
- Alcohol dependency
- Aggressive and irrational behaviour
- Memory loss, confusion and depression
- Ageing of the skin
- Diabetes
- Frequent colds and infections
- Increased risk of cancer
- Heart failure and liver damage
- High blood pressure
- Pneumonia
- Stomach ulcers, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Internal bleeding
- Fertility problems
- Excessive drinking can also lead to social, legal, domestic and financial problems.
What are the benefits of cutting down?
- More energy and feel less tired
- No hangovers
- Better sleep
- Lose weight
Did you know that four pints of 4% beer contain about 728 calories and one bottle of 13% wine contains around 638 calories.
- Save money
- Reduced risk of liver disease, cancer and heart disease
- Reduced risk of injury
- Decreased risk of drink driving.
Support is available in Rotherham
We are with you run Rotherham Drug and Alcohol Service (ROADS) which is in Rotherham town centre and can offer assessment, treatment and support for alcohol problems. Call them on 0808 1753981 (freephone) or visit the ROADS website and complete the online referral form.
Alcoholics Anonymous provide support nationally. Contact the helpline on 0845 769 7555 or visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website.
DrinkCoach is an online service that aims to offer alcohol advice and support to people when they need it. The DrinkCoach app and alcohol test are free to everybody wishing to use them. Coaching may be provided free in your area.
Stop smoking service: 01709 718720
Young Persons service: 0808 1753981
Carer support and advice from Beacon: 01226 814012