Drinking alone
Question
I'm a single mum (my daughter is 18 months old) and sometimes I have a drink when I'm on my own with her. Can you tell me what is considered to be excessive alcohol intake for someone like me?
Answer
Trying to work out how much alcohol is too much is a common concern. There are lots of mixed messages about alcohol and as a result it is difficult to be sure that you are drinking safely.
If you're drinking whilst alone and looking after a child you might want to think about the risks and effects of alcohol and how this could possibly put yourself or your child in danger. It's not a good idea to drink whilst alone or caring for a child.
Guidelines for daily alcohol intake are provided in units. It's recommended that women drink no more than two to three units per day and men should drink no more than three to four per day. A pint of lager is two units and a single measure of spirits is one unit. Using the recommended units as a guide, you should be able to check your weekly levels to find out if you are drinking too much.
If you find you are drinking more than the recommended levels, there is a lot of support available to you. Alcohol Concern has a service directory where you can find contact details of your local service and an online course that will give you the chance to look closer at your drinking. Or you can call Drinkline, a free and confidential helpline that can provide you with advice and support on 0800 917 82 82.
Updated: 13/04/2010
Question answered by Addaction
