Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Advice

How much?
When not to drink alcohol
What is a standard drink?
Tips for low-risk drinking
Support

HPA’s alcohol drinking advice is designed to help you make an informed choice and help keep your risk of alcohol-related accidents, injuries, diseases and death low.

Low- risk is not, however, no-risk. Even when drinking within the low-risk limits, a range of factors can affect your level of risk including if you drink too quickly, your body type or genetic makeup, your gender, existing health problems, and if you are young or an older person.

How much?

Reduce your long-term health risks by drinking no more than:

• 2 standard drinks a day for women and no more than 10 standard drinks a week
• 3 standard drinks a day for men and no more than 15 standard drinks a week

AND at least two alcohol-free days every week.

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

• 4 standard drinks for women on any single occasion
• 5 standard drinks for men on any single occasion

Advice for pregnant women or those planning to get pregnant

• no alcohol

There is no known safe level of alcohol use at any stage of pregnancy.

Advice for parents of children and young people under 18 years

For children and young people under 18 years, not drinking alcohol is the safest option.

• Those under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking alcohol and not drinking in this age group is especially important.
   
• For young people aged 15 to 17 years, the safest option is to delay drinking for as long as possible.

If 15 to 17 year olds do drink alcohol, they should be supervised, drink infrequently and at levels usually below and never exceeding the adult18 years and over daily limits.

♦ Back to top

When not to drink alcohol

It's advisable not to drink if you:

• are pregnant or planning to get pregnant
• are on medication that interacts with alcohol
• have a condition made worse by drinking alcohol
• feel unwell, depressed, tired or cold as alcohol could make things worse
• are about to operate machinery or a vehicle or do anything that is risky or requires skill.

♦ Back to top

What is a standard drink?

A standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol.

It is important to note that drink serving sizes are often more than one standard drink.
The label on an alcoholic drink container tells you the number of standard drinks in the container.

♦ Back to top

Tips for low-risk drinking

It is possible to drink at a level that is less risky, while still having fun. There are a number of things you can do to make sure you stay within low risk levels and don't get to a stage where you are no longer capable of controlling your drinking.

These include:

• Know what a standard drink is
• Keep track of how much you drink - daily and weekly
• Set limits for yourself and stick to them
• Start with non-alcoholic drinks and alternate with alcoholic drinks
• Drink slowly
• Try drinks with a lower alcohol content
• Eat before or while you are drinking
• Never drink and drive
• Be a responsible host
• Talk to your kids about alcohol.

♦ Back to top

Support

If you or someone you know needs support and treatment to reduce their alcohol intake, call the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797 for free and confidential advice.

♦ Back to top