Reducing your alcohol intake

Alcohol can impact on your:

• mood
• energy levels
• motivation

We often drink because we want to change the way we feel.

Growing evidence suggests that alcohol can have a negative effect on our mental health and physical health.

Guidelines suggest that we shouldn't drink more than 14 units a week. This is around 6 pints of lager, or 7 glasses of wine.

We should always have a couple of days away from alcohol a week, and shouldn't drink for at least 48 hours after binge drinking.

If you have concerns look out for the following patterns:

• using alcohol to block how you feel
• using alcohol to help you to sleep
• using alcohol to fill time
• drinking alcohol more regularly
• drinking more and more alcohol

For facts about alcohol, visit NHS: Alcohol.

For facts about alcohol and a useful quiz to help you know your risk, visit Balance.