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ADVICE / ALCOHOL
Alcohol
Current maximum recommended alcohol limits are 3 to 4 units per day for men, and 2 to 3 units per day for women - one unit of alcohol is roughly equivalent to half a pint of normal strength beer, or a small glass of wine, or one pub measure of spirits
It is not safe to 'save up' your daily allowance and drink it all in one night (28 units for men, 21 for women) - this kind of drinking to excess is known as binge drinking, and is damaging to your liver, stomach, throat, kidneys and heart
PERSONAL SAFETY
Being on the street under the influence of excess alcohol puts you at
greater risk of physical or sexual assault, and of wandering onto the road and being hit by a car (every year University students are involved in road accidents that leave them hospitalised, or worse
Don't drink to the point where you might become a tempting target for criminals, and have your possessions (purse, wallet, mobile) stolen. Unfortunately drink spiking is not uncommon in Leeds, and students are targeted as subjects for crime, or sexual assault. See our Date Rape page for more information on keeping yourself safe
Alcohol relaxes inhibitions and increases the likelihood of risky sexual behaviour. That could lead to unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases
UNIVERSITY
Poor attendance and 80% of Leeds University's disciplinary problems are
caused by alcohol. Don't drink to the point that your academic career is compromised
DRIVING THE MORNING AFTER
Stay safe to drive and avoid a drink driving conviction. We strongly encourage you not to drive if there is any alcohol in your body. If you've been out drinking the previous night and plan to drive today you can roughly calculate how long you should wait to be alcohol free, start with 1 hour, then add:
- 2 hours before driving for a pint of 4% beer or cider
- 3 hours before driving for a pint of 5.5% beer or cider
- 2 hours before driving for a 330ml bottle of beer or cider or alcopop
- 3 hours before driving for a 550ml bottle of beer or cider
- 1 hour before driving for a 25ml shot
- 3 hours before driving for a 70ml double
- 4 hours before driving for a 250ml glass of 15% wine
For example if you drink a bottle of 15% wine (three 250ml glasses), you can't drive alcohol free for 13 hours. Try the superb 'morning after calculator' on the 2young2die web site
HOW DOES ALCOHOL AFFECT MY LIVER?
Until it reaches a critical stage most liver disease is virtually symptom free, so many people do not realise the permanent damage to their liver caused by frequent heavy drinking, or regular binge drinking
Regular high alcohol intake causes the build up of fatty deposits in the liver, which cause it to function less effectively. With continued excessive alcohol intake the liver will become inflamed, which often leads to low grade hepatitis. The next stage is scarring or cirrhosis, from which the liver cannot recover
Hospital consultants have reported that where in the past they would normally see patients in their fifties and sixties presenting with liver failure as a result of alcohol, the UK's binge drinking culture means most of them now have patients under 25 years of age on their list, including:
- 24-year-old female with advanced cirrhosis who died
- 25-year-old with advanced alcoholic cirrhosis
- 19-year-old female with end stage liver disease
- 21-year-old who died from acute alcohol poisoning
IS YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE PUSHING YOU TOWARDS A LIVER TRANSPLANT?
You can access your own alcohol consumption using our Alcohol Questionnaire (PDF) and interpret your score below:
- score 0 to 7 - sensible drinking, but 2 days per week should be alcohol free
- score 8 to 15 - hazardous drinking, read the advice leaflet (PDF)
- score 16 to 19 - harmful drinking, read the advice leaflet (PDF)
- score 20 or more - possible alcoholism, read the advice leaflet (PDF) and consider making an appointment to see your doctor, and self-referral to one of these services:
- Alcohol Drug Service - Initial appointment will be an information session to be followed by one to one sessions if required. Provides advice, information and counselling for people with alcohol problems and those attempting to either cut down, control or stop. Telephone: 0113 247 0111
- Leeds Addiction Unit - Provides treatment of complex drug and alcohol misuse for all age groups in Leeds. Services include psychological therapies, prescribing, detoxification and assessment. Telephone 0113 295 1300
If you do feel that your drinking is getting out of hand don't be afraid to seek help
OTHER SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS
- For the facts about alcohol Drinkaware.co.uk
- Alcoholics Anonymous - Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. For your local meeting call: 0845 769 7555
- Al-anon - Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the person is still drinking or not. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for young people aged 12-20 who have been affected by someone else's drinking, usually that of a parent.
For more information please contact the 24 hour helpline on: 0141 339 8884
- Addiction Unit - The essential role of the Addiction Unit is to provide assessment, treatment, and aftercare for people who misuse alcohol and other drugs and who have complex needs. LAU. Telephone 0113 295 1300 for self referral
Sources: Leeds University Union & LSMP
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