Alcohol and its effects
Drinking may help you unwind and relax and can be enjoyable with friends and family. But, if you regularly drink more than the recommended limits for alcohol, you'll increase the chances of seriously damaging your health.
The NHS recommends:
- Men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day
- Women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day
- Pregnant women or those trying to conceive should avoid alcohol
‘Regularly’ means every day or most days of the week
The amount you drink, how often you drink and how long you've been drinking all make a difference.
Alcohol also affects men and women differently. If you regularly drink more than the NHS advises over a long period your health could be at serious risk of conditions such as:
- Cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus or larynx
- Breast cancer in women
- Heart disease or an irregular heartbeat, which can lead to heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Liver damage such as cirrhosis and liver cancer
- Depression, memory loss, brain damage or dementia
Most people who drink too much may not see any symptoms at first, but later in life it can lead to serious problems. And if you already have an existing medical condition, drinking alcohol can make it worse. So drinking less now can reduce the risk of harming your health later on.
Alcohol can also:
- Making you put weight on as it’s high in calories
- Be linked to skin problems, premature aging, reduced fertility and impotence.
- Put you in unsafe or embarrassing situations, as it can impair your judgement.
- Put a strain on relationships
- Make mental health problems such as depression worse
- Cause financial problems
10 Good reasons to drink less
- You’ll save lots of money
- You’ll have more energy
- You’ll sleep better
- You can have a positive influence on your children’s own view of alcohol and the choices they make
- You’ll be less likely to develop serious health problems.
- You’ll feel better in the mornings and be less tired during the day
- Your skin may start to look better
- You'll start to feel in better shape
- You may stop gaining weight
- You’ll be less likely to have arguments with those around you
If you need help
Aquarius – 01384 261267
For adults experiencing problems with alcohol - Free confidential information, advice and counselling to alcohol users, their friends and relatives and to other professional organisations.
The Zone - 01384 241440
A service for young people, families and carers who are affected by drug and alcohol use within Dudley Borough. The service aims to provide young people with the support and information that is needed to make choices which are important to them.
Alcoholics Anonymous – 01384 482929
For adults with a desire to stop drinking - Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
