nidirect
07 Dec 2023

Date published:

07 December 2023

Christmas and New Year is a time when it is very easy to overindulge.

Alcohol guidelines recommend that both men and women drink no more than 14 units a week, to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level.

If you do drink as much as 14 units a week, it's best to spread this evenly over three days or more - don't 'save up' your units for a particular day or a party.

Binge drinking is associated with particular risks to health, including damage to the liver, heart, brain and stomach. 

You can find out more the how alcohol affects your health page.

If you're pregnant, or are trying for a baby, as a precaution you should not drink any alcohol at all.

Some tips for managing your drinking:

Drinking too much can make you lose your inhibitions and affect your judgement. This could lead you to do things you wouldn't usually do and might regret later, such as fighting, public disorder, or falling causing injury.

You may also take more risks when it comes to sex, such as not using a condom. This increases your chances of getting a sexually-transmitted infection such as chlamydia, HIV or hepatitis. It could also lead to an unplanned pregnancy.

It's important to plan ahead, prepare for the possibility of sex, and carry condoms.

Alcohol can also affect your mental health and emotional wellbeing. If you're hungover you can feel anxious and low.

Some people may feel down over Christmas and New Year, and drinking can make this worse.

If you think someone might be in need of immediate help, find out what to do at the page below:

If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline on:

The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Source: nidirect