10 Tips to use alcohol safely, simple Q& A

Are there risks associated with drinking alcohol?

Yes there are. Alcohol consumption is associated with liver problems, reduced fertility, high blood pressure, some cancers and heart attacks.

What amount of alcohol is safe for consumption to prevent these risks?

The truth is, there is no safe limit for drinking alcohol but there are recommendations, which will reduce the risks of the diseases mentioned herein but not prevent them.

What are the recommendations?

Recommendations vary from country to country. In some countries the recommendations are 3-4unit/day for men and 2-3units/day women.  Even with that, we recommend you do not take these amounts on regular basis.  Find out from the professionals in your country or your ministry of Health website. They often have such recommendation.

Wondering what a unit is? 

This picture from BBC News will give you an idea of what a unit of alcohol is

NB: The higher the strength (ABV %), the higher the unit and the larger the volume the higher the units.

Wow! I am exceeding my alcohol intake, are there tips to help me cut down?

Yes there are. Here are 9 tips

1. As we like to achieve a target, setting a limit on the amount of alcohol one drinks, will push you to achieve it.  Remember to take small steps at a time
2. We all need help at one point or other and who can better help us than our family and friends, so tell them about the target you set.
3. Do not stock your fridge with too many alcoholic beverages and if possible not at all, to avoid the temptation of exceeding your limit.
4. Drink a pint of water before you start to drink alcohol, this way you are less likely to drink above your targeted limits.
5. Swap strong strength alcohol drinks (ABV %) with lower strength.
6. Use small glass size for your alcoholic drink.
7. When thirsty quench your thirst with water.
8. Write down the places, events, which contribute to you drinking alcohol and cut down on going to these places.
9. Avoid the company of binge drinkers and if they are your friends, show them this post and encourage one another to cut down on your alcohol drinking habit.

I cannot do this on my own/I know an alcoholic/I want to quit drinking alcohol entirely

10. Seek professional help. The best place is to contact your health service.

Note: Women should avoid alcohol when pregnant

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I watched him the entire night

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I watched him the entire night

I could not take my eyes off him, the moment the girls and I entered this classy restaurant to celebrate my birthday. Yeah, I had to mention the classy bit to let you know how my purse was crying that evening. How I comforted the purse for the rest of the month is another story all together. Now where was I? Aha! So like I was saying, I had been watching this young man since the time I sat for dinner. It was not only his good looks, charming smile or…errrmmm I will end the list here, just know looks and smile are dependent on a person’s taste, but also the bottles on his table.

Those bottles which I believe was a litre in volume each, containing a percentage of alcohol,  my not very good eagle eyes could capture were all nearly empty. It got me wondering if this good looking gentleman with a charming smile knows there is a daily alcohol intake stipulated by the experts for him or he just can’t be bothered.

Hmmm, I would have loved to use his alcohol intake as an opportunity to get to know him but for this equally beautiful and charming young lady he sat at the table with to share those bottles I just sat down and watched them both but him more. Obviously, unlike poles attract . For this lady I guess her alcohol intake on this occassion clearly indicates she really understands and appreciate the Beijing Conference.

The least I could do was to take a leaf of my sweet scented notepad and write this http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Alcohol/Pages/Alcoholhome.aspx  with my equally sweet scented pen. So pleasant was the fragrance, the lady with whom he shared his table gave me ‘the stay off my man’ look when the waiter gave him my note. Knowing what I wrote in the note, I was the least perturbed.

As we passed by his table after paying for that expensive dinner, he gently grabbed my hand, gave me his charming smile and said “Meet my sister  (with an emphasis )and can I have your number as we especially me, would love to talk more about this note”. I couldn’t believe my blessing as I pulled out  my business card and it was in pulling out my business card did it dawn on me that, he is now a client , so….too bad yeah? I know.

Anyway, what can I say, there is a risk with every job but that shouldn’t stop us from doing it. And as you love your job like  i do mine, I know you will understand why I look forward to hearing from them to talk about alcohol intake.

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