Alcohol use disorder

Alcohol misuse

Alcohol misuse is when you drink in a way that's harmful, or when you're dependent on alcohol. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level, both men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week.

A unit of alcohol is 8g or 10ml of pure alcohol, which is about:

  • half a pint of lower to normal-strength lager/beer/cider (ABV 3.6%)
  • a single small shot measure (25ml) of spirits (25ml, ABV 40%)

A small glass (125ml, ABV 12%) of wine contains about 1.5 units of alcohol.

Am I drinking too much alcohol?

You could be misusing alcohol if:

  • you feel you should cut down on your drinking
  • other people have been criticising your drinking
  • you feel guilty or bad about your drinking
  • you need a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover

Someone you know may be misusing alcohol if:

  • they regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week
  • they're sometimes unable to remember what happened the night before because of their drinking
  • they fail to do what was expected of them as a result of their drinking (for example, missing an appointment or work because they're drunk or hungover)

Signs and Symptoms

Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so.
Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use.
Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.
Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use.
Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing physical, social, work or relationship problems.
Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol.
Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming.
Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms.

Charities and support groups

Support Alcohol Change 020 3907 8480

www.alcoholchange.org.uk

Support Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 9177 650

www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Support Al-Anon Family Groups 0800 0086 811

www.al-anonuk.org.uk

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Anonymous
Ex-Footballer