A self help guide to sensible drinking
Alcohol
Alcohol often plays a role in our social interactions and in small quantities is relatively harmless, however in some cases alcohol can be misused and this can lead to serious health implications and can sometimes cause problems in our social relationships or in our working lives.
The government issues guidelines about how much alcohol is safe to drink. Alcohol remains in a woman's body longer than it does in a man's, which is why the recommended guidelines for women are lower than they are for men. Both men and women are recommended to have at least 2 alcohol free days in a week.
Recommended Guidelines
Women - 14 units a week and no more than 2-3 units a day.
Men - 20 units a week and no more than 3-4 units a day.
Measuring Units
Alcohol is usually measured in units. You can calculate the number of units in your drink using the following formula:
ABV (alcohol by volume) x volume (ml) / 1000 = units
Guide to units of alcohol
This table gives a rough guide to the amount of alcohol (measured in units) found in the quantities commonly seen in different drinks.
All alcohol sold in the UK above 1.2% ABV (Alcohol By Volume) should state how strong it is in percent. The higher the percentage (%) the more alcohol it has in it. Pub measures are generally rather smaller than the amount you might have at home. These amounts will vary according to the brand of drink and size of glass.
| Beed, Cider & Alcopops | Strength ABV | Half Pint | Pint | Bottle/can 330 ml | Bottle/can 500ml | Bottle 1 litre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild strenght beer, lager or cider Eg. Draugh beer, Heineken, Woodpecker |
3-4% | 1 | 2 | 1.5 | 2 | - |
| Normal strength beer, lager or cider Eg. Stella, Budweiser, Kronenbourgh, Strongbow |
5% | 1.25 | 2.5 | 2 | 3 | - |
| Extra strong beer, lager or cider Eg. Special Brew, Diamond White, Tennants Extra |
8-9% | 2.5 | 5 | 3 | 5.5 | 11 |
| Alcopops Eg. Bacardi Breezer, Smirnoff Ice, Reef, Archers, Hooch |
5% | - | - | 1.7 | - | - |
| Wine and Spirits | Strength ABV | Pub Measure | Small Wine Glass (125ml) | Large Wine Glass (250ml) | Bottle (750ml) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table Wines | 12-14% | 1.5 to 2 | 1.5 to 2 | 3 to 4 | 9 to 11 |
| Fortified wines (sherry, martini, port) | 15-20% | 0.8 | 14 | ||
| Spirits (whisky, vodka, gin) | 40% | 1 | 30 | ||
| Cocktails | Variable | 2-5 units | |||
Calories
Alcohol also contains calories, a factor which is often overlooked. The following table shows the average number of calories which certain drinks contain.
125ml
| Drink | Kcals | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Beer - canned and draugh beer | 90 | 1/2 pint |
| Beer - lager (ordinary 3 - 4% ABV) | 80 - 85 | 1/2 pint |
| Beer - lager (premium 5% ABV) | 90 | 1/2 pint |
| Beer - draught mild bitter | 70 | 1/2 pint |
| Beer - brown ale | 80 | |
| Beer - bottled stout | 105 | |
| Cider - dry | 95 | 1/2 pint |
| Cider - sweet | 110 | 1/2 pint |
| Dry white wine | 85 | 125ml |
| Medium white wine | 95 | |
| Sweet white wine | 120 | 125ml |
| Sparkling white wine (champagne, cava) | 95 | 125ml |
| Rose wine | 85 | 125ml |
| Red wine | 85 | 125ml |
| Whisky, gin, vodka | 120 | 50ml |
| Premium whisky, gin, vodka | 140 | 50ml |
| Liquers, brandy | 150 | 50ml |
| Tonic water | 40 | 100ml |
| Cola | 45 | 100ml |
| Caffiene based energy drink | 45 | 100ml |
Drink Diary
If you are worried about your drinking habits or are trying to cut down, a drink diary can be a useful took in helping you to do so. See DrinkAware.co.uk's Drink Diary.
Resources
Useful links
Related Issues
People often turn to alcohol and/or drugs as a coping mechanism for their problems. However, alcohol and drugs can sometimes create further problems. The following topics may also be of interest to you:
Information & Education
Gaining information or learning about something is often a good first step to tackling your problems. Learn More
Resources
-
Alcohol & You
Useful links
Alcohol Focus Scotland
Currently the only Scottish charity dedicated to raising awareness of, and reducing the significant health and social harm caused by, alcohol. The long term aim of Alcohol Focus Scotland is to achieve a culture change in Scotland where far fewer lives are affected by alcohol misuse, and moderate, responsible drinking is the norm
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk
Breathing Space
Anyone can feel down or depressed from time to time. If you feel like it’s all getting too much for you, it helps to get some breathing space. Just talking about it is a positive first step in getting help: call on 0800 83 85 87
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk
Community Alcohol and Drug Services Shetland
The Community Alcohol And Drugs Services Shetland (CADSS) is an independent voluntary organisation that provides a range of free confidential services to those affected by alcohol and or drug use in Shetland. They offer support, information, practical help and training. Based at 44 Commercial Street, Lerwick and 35 Market Street, Lerwick. Telephone 01595 695363
www.cadss.shetland.co.uk/
Community Bike Project
The community bike project offers an opportunity for rehabilitative support for clients referred from the Community Alcohol and Drugs service. The project also offers an employability programme for people who have been unemployed long term and have barriers to getting back into work. Contact Caroline Adamson 01595 690077
Shetlandbikeproject@ukfsn.org
Down Your Drink
Down Your Drink is a program designed to give people the information they need to make careful choices about the role alcohol plays in their life
www.downyourdrink.org.uk
Drink Aware
Drinkaware aims to change the UK’s drinking habits for the better. They promote responsible drinking and find innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm
www.drinkaware.co.uk
Papa Stour Project
Papa Stour Project is a small Christian community offering accommodation and a structured life style to men with drug and alcohol issues. You can contact Sabina@papastour.org Tel: 01595 873238 or visit the downloads section of the website for an application form
www.papastour.org/index.html
Link Up
If you are going through a difficult experience, feel lonely, isolated, or under pressure you may find it helpful to have somewhere safe, friendly and accepting where you can feel supported as you work through things. The Link-Up drop in runs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am – 2pm. If you are interested in the services Link Up can offer you then write, email or phone and they will reply, answering your questions and will arrange on your terms, when and where to meet. 8 Commercial Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0AN. Tel: 01595 693313 or email: Shetland_linkup@tiscali.co.uk
myweb.tiscali.co.uk/shetlandlinkup2/index.html
Turning Point Craft Initiative
Turning Point Craft Initiative is a Shetland based charity which was set up in 2002. They run a Day Centre which offers a therapeutic healing programme. Clients can learn basic woodturning skills and gain the confidence and motivation needed to start rebuilding their lives. Turning Point Craft Initiative aims to provide a client focussed, community service, supporting people to achieve positive change and freedom from the harmful effects of alcohol/drugs. To find out more you can call 01595 840455
www.tpci.shetland.co.uk
Latest News
MYH Community Survey - Executive Summary
17th Nov 2011
In Spring 2011, MYH undertook a survey to find out the views of the local community to assist with the future planning and to gather feedback on local mental health services.
Read More
Experiences of Mental Health Problems
17th Oct 2011
For people who have never personally experienced mental ill health it can sometimes seem difficult to fully understand how it feels for somebody who is affected by a mental health issue.
Healthtalkonline, is an award-winning charity website, which lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness.
Read More
Fun Run T-Shirts
6th Oct 2011
Just a quick note to say that anyone who has not yet received their fun run t-shirt can collect them from Westside Pine, Esplanade, Lerwick.
Read More