The size and strength of drinks vary, so it’s not as simple as one unit per drink. A glass of wine can contain approximately one to three units depending on the size of the glass and the strength of the wine. And when drinking at home it’s easy to pour larger measures, so you could be drinking more than you think.
A good place to start is by finding out just how many units there are in your favourite drink. For example, a single 35ml shot of spirits contains roughly the same amount of alcohol as a small 125ml glass of wine – about 1.5 units. You will find about the same amount of alcohol in a half pint of ordinary strength beer.
The sensible limits for drinking are 3-4 units a day for men and 2-3 units a day for women. But it’s important to have at least one or two days a week free from alcohol; and not to exceed 21 units for men and 14 units for women over the space of a week.
Remember: if you’re pregnant or intending to drive a vehicle you shouldn’t drink at all.