Cutting your alcohol

Here are some top tips:

Cutting down has lots of benefits – mentally, physically, socially and financially – and when you’re trying to reduce your alcohol intake it’s important to know how to start and keep going.

Regularly drinking above the low risk limit can cause long-term health damage. Fourteen units is equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine.

If you regularly drink more than 14 units a week and want to cut down, try these eight simple tips to help you both at home and during social events.

Tip #1 – Let them know

If you let your friends and family know you’re cutting down and it’s important to you, you could get support from them.

Tip #2 – Take it a day at a time

Cut back a little each day. That way, every day you do is a success.

Tip #3 – Make it a smaller one

You can still enjoy a drink, but go for smaller sizes. Try bottled beer instead of pints, or a small glass of wine instead of a large one.

Tip #4 – Have a lower-strength drink

Cut down the alcohol by swapping strong beers or wines for ones with a lower strength (ABV in %). You’ll find this information on the bottle.

Tip #5 – Make a plan

Before you start drinking, set a limit on how much you’re going to drink.

Tip #6 – Set a budget

Only take a fixed amount of money to spend on alcohol.

Tip #7 – Stay hydrated

Have a glass of water before you have alcohol and alternate alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink.

Tip #8 – Take a break

Have several drink-free days each week.

What are the benefits of cutting down?

– You may feel better in the mornings

– You may feel less tired during the day

– Your skin may start to look better

– You may start to feel fitter

– You may stop gaining weight

For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Tipsoncuttingdown.aspx