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Drinking and your health

Keeping a balanced lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is about balance - and moderate drinking can fit into a balanced lifestyle. Drinking within the recommended guidelines can help keep the health risks from alcohol low.

What is safe or healthier drinking?

Plan to have at least two alcohol-free days every week.

And when you do drink, keep to:

Reduce your risk of injury on a single occasion of drinking by drinking no more than:

Keeping to these levels makes for a better night out – and a better day after. It reduces the likelihood of suffering a hangover or unpleasant post-drinking experience.

When not to drink

Avoid alcohol if you:

Negative effects of alcohol

Heavy drinkers (people drinking more than 10-15 standard drinks per week) are potentially at risk of:

Do you or anyone you know have a problem with their drinking? Contact the Alcohol Drug Helpline for free and confidential advice.

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