Know your limits

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is urging people to drink sensibly over the festive season to avoid a further increase in alcohol related hospital admissions.

Ambulance crews and Accident and Emergency departments are already under enormous pressure due to accidents and ill-health brought on by the cold weather and this is further increased by the number of alcohol-related cases.

Dr Aliko Ahmed, Interim Director of Public Health at South Staffordshire PCT, said: “We would urge people to think about the amount of alcohol they drink during the festive season and follow tips on how to stay safe and healthy.

He continued: “The PCT is working to reduce the number of alcohol related harm cases and promote what negative effects alcohol can have not only on an individual’s health and well-being but also on that of their family.”

Over a quarter of the population in the West Midlands drink above the guidelines for lower risk drinking: no more than 3-4 units per day for men (drinking about two pints or two cans of normal-strength lager or beer on a regular basis) and no more than 2-3 units daily for women (regularly drinking about a large glass of wine or three single measures of spirits).

Drinking above these levels can increase your risk of heart disease, breast cancer, liver disease, stroke and other diseases. Drinking above lower-risk guidelines can also impact on your ability to get a good night’s sleep and affect your general day-to-day health.

Tips for staying healthy and drinking sensibly during the festive season:

• Try alternating your drinks so that you have water or juice in between the alcoholic drinks and drink plenty of water before you go to bed.
• Don’t mix alcohol with any kind of medication as it can reduce the drug’s effects and be harmful.
• Tackle the link in your mind between alcohol and relaxation. If you automatically reach for a drink after a day’s work, try having a shower/bath first or go for a walk.
• If your evening meal isn’t complete without your favourite tipple, try a soft drink for a few nights a week instead.
• Recognise when you’re drinking too quickly. Sometimes you might just be thirsty rather than really want an alcoholic drink so take a break and have water or a soft drink.
• Don’t try to keep up with friends who drink more than you.
• Eat before you go out, or early in the evening, to reduce the effects of drinking alcohol.
• Remember, it’s not about saving up your units for the week and cramming them all into one evening.
• Always give your body a 48 hour break from alcohol if you do drink too much in one session.

These are the unit strengths of some common drinks:

Drink Size of Glass Volume No. of Units
Wine standard 175ml 12% 2.1
Wine large 250ml glass 12% 3
Wine 750ml bottle 13.5% 10
Beer/lager pint 4% 2.3
Beer/lager pint 5.2% 3
Strong cider 440ml can 9% 4
Strong cider litre 9% 9
Alcopops 275ml bottle 5% 1.4
Spirits (e.g. vodka/gin) 25ml single 40% 1
Spirits (e.g. vodka/gin) 50ml double 40% 2

To find out more information about alcohol units or the Know Your Limits campaign visit www.nhs.uk/units.