But for some people, these habits can become unsustainable, with doctors warning that there could be more drink-related deaths in the next 20 years. 1 Many people can enjoy a drink or two in moderation, but others struggle to stick to the limitCredit: Getty Although you may not think you have a problem, it is important to be aware of the risk, as increased consumption can lead to serious consequences. This can include serious liver problems, as well as digestive problems and problems with your kidneys. Take the quiz above to find out if you’re a heavy drinker or not – with anything over eight indicating harmful or dangerous drinking. NHS guidelines suggest that people should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week — around 112 grams of pure alcohol. But a combination of the cost of living crisis and bad habits created in lockdown means many Britons are consuming more. A study by the University of Sheffield recently found that up to 25,000 people could die in the next 20 years due to habits created in lockdown. Britons’ habits, they said, could also lead to more hospital admissions – putting the NHS under even more pressure. Doctors in Sweden have now said there is no “safe limit” of alcohol consumption. Experts at Linköping University said the term “hazardous drinking” is used when there is a markedly increased risk of negative consequences. In a new trial, they found that digital solutions, such as an app, would help people stop drinking for good. Associate professor at the Department of Health, Medicine and Care Sciences at Linköping University, Marcus Bendtsen said study participants said it was important for them to reduce their alcohol intake. However – he said the majority showed they didn’t know how to do it. “Those who had access to digital support started to feel more confident about how they could actually change their behaviour,” she said. He added that current warnings about the dangers of alcohol are “not enough” to deter people.
Where to get help if you think you have a problem
If you think you may have a drinking problem, you may need to seek help. This may be the case if you often feel the need to have a drink or if you have problems because of your drink. If other people have warned you about your drinking and it’s causing you problems, then a good place to start is your doctor. There are other places you can go to get help: The guru said digital support could be a way to reach more people who need help. “People who want to quit smoking are encouraged and supported by those around them. But there is a stigma around wanting to stop drinking alcohol. “There is a common perception that one should be able to manage their drinking on their own and many do not seek help, even if they want to change their behaviour,” he said. Doctors targeted those who had reviewed information to reduce their consumption. One group was given access to the new tool, while the other was given access to already available resources. Those who used the new tool could set goals for themselves and be reminded of incentives to drink less. Professor Bendtsen said: “Those who had access to the digital tool had around 25 per cent lower alcohol consumption than the group who didn’t, which is slightly higher than we expected. “This kind of tool won’t change the overall social situation in terms of drinking, but it’s a very good tool for people who want to change their lives.” Experts are now developing the app to make it available to people who need it. It will also be tailored to individual needs.
What does your rating mean?
Elaine Hindal, head of charity Drinkaware, reveals what your score means: 0-7 = Low risk Elaine says: If you drink less than 14 units a week, you are at lower risk of alcohol dependence and health problems from drinking. The good news is that if you sometimes drink more than 14 units a week, it shouldn’t be too difficult to cut back. Be careful not to drink too much. It can lead to accidents and even alcohol poisoning. If you drink 14 units a week, spread them out, with at least three drink-free days each week. 8-15 = Increasing risk Elaine says: It’s important for you to know that your drinking pattern could be dangerous to your health because you could be drinking more than 14 units a week. You may be at increased risk of developing some serious health problems and increase your risk of alcohol dependence. Now is the time to cut back on how much you’ve been drinking. 16-19 = Higher risk Elaine says: Your drinking can be very dangerous to your health. Regularly drinking much more than the low-risk guideline of 14 units a week causes serious harm – seven types of cancer (including breast), liver and heart disease and high blood pressure. You may be at high risk of alcohol dependence and should seriously consider drinking less and perhaps find specialist support to help you. 20+ = Possible addiction Elaine says: Your answers suggest you are drinking much more than the low risk guideline of 14 units a week and your drinking is dangerous to your health. It may already be causing problems for your physical or mental health – or both.
