Northern Investing for Health Partnership

Summer holidays, barbeques, warmer weather and alcohol all seem to go together in Northern Ireland. There are many opportunities during the summer for people to drink and consume more than the recommended daily alcohol limits. 

The Public Health Agency (PHA) along with the Northern Drugs and Alcohol Co-Ordination Team (NDACT) are continuing to promote the message of sensible drinking over the summer months across the Northern area.

Ms Madeline Heaney, Commissioning Officer for Health Promotion, with the PHA and Vice-Chair of NDACT, emphasises the point:

“There are real health risks for individuals who binge drink over the summer, so for those who do drink, it is important to enjoy alcohol within safe limits.

Alcohol is Northern Ireland’s favourite drug and plays a significant role in our society.  People who drink should be aware of the health effects of excessive alcohol use, especially in the warmer weather, which can speed up the effects of alcohol dehydration.  Drinking too much alcohol in hot weather can lead to both heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”

also warns that it’s not just a hangover that people should be worried about after drinking.

Prolonged and frequent alcohol consumption can have very harmful effects on the liver and other body organs.  After the brain, the liver is one of the most important organs in the body and excessive alcohol use can lead to diseases such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, hepatitis, fibrosis and liver cancer. 

Daily alcohol limits are recommended by Government in order to avoid the health and social risks of excessive and binge drinking in any one session.  These are:-

Men
It is recommended that men drink no more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol a day and no more than 21 units over the course of the week.

Women
It is recommended that women drink no more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day and no more than 14 units over the course of the week.

Remember, that for each unit you drink over the daily limit, the risk to your health increases. It's important to spread the units throughout the week – you can't “save up” your units for the weekend or the barbeque.

Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should avoid drinking alcohol.  If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.

Alcohol is usually measured in units.  Many bottles of wine, beer and ready-mixed drinks have the units marked on the label.

Michael Owen, Senior Drugs and Alcohol Coordinator, PHA said:

“The Northern Drugs and Alcohol Co-Ordination Team has identified alcohol as a priority area to address within their local Action Plan.  We would also encourage people who do drink, to enjoy alcohol sensibly and moderately as highlighted by .”

To make the most of the summer season and to enjoy alcohol sensibly, the advise is that people follow the recommended daily alcohol limits and these simple tips:

DON’T:

• ever drink and drive
• drink on an empty stomach
• drink in rounds as this may speed up the frequency of your drinking pattern
• leave your drinks unattended

DO:

• take sips rather than gulps
• alternate each alcoholic drink with a non alcoholic drink e.g. water or a soft drink.
• set yourself a limit and try to stick to it (refer to daily alcohol limits)
• take frequent breaks from drinking to give your body time to recover
• tell friends and family where you are going and who you will be with

For further information on sensible drinking and alcohol units visit the Public Health Agency’s website on alcohol: www.knowyourlimits.info

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