Alcohol - the basics

Units - In the UK, one ‘unit’ of alcohol = 8 grams (or 10 mls) of ethanol.

I unit =

  • 1/2 pint of ordinary beer, lager, stout or cider
    (3% - 3.6% ABV)
  • 1 single measure of spirits
    (England and Wales, 25ml (1/6 gill) – 37.5% - 40% ABV)
  • 1 small glass of wine
    (125ml - 8% ABV)
  • 1 measure of vermouth or aperitif
    (50ml or 1/3 gill – 14% ABV)

ABV stands for Alcohol by volume, if a drink has an ABV of 5% that means that it contains five units of alcohol per one litre of that drink. For example:

One litre of 4% Carling contains four units of alcohol and therefore a 500ml can of 4% Carling contains two units.

Dont be tricked by large glasses of wine, a large glass (usually 250ml) of 12% ABV wine could work out at 3 units, you can work this out by using the following unit calculation - Units - % ABV X container size in mls 1000.

Recommended drinking limits
The Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association have all recommended that men should drink less than 21 units per week and women less than 14 units per week.


"What are the new sensible limits?"
There has been some confusion since the Department of Health issued new, more complex guidelines on sensible drinking in December 1995. Much of the confusion arose from misleading press reports about those guidelines. However the three key points are very simple:

  • The weekly limit of 21 units for men and 14 units for women REMAINS THE SAME. Obviously people vary and the figures approximate average safety levels.
  • There is a new additional emphasis on the amount which it may be considered sensible for a person to drink on any one day. For men the recommended daily upper limit is 4 units maximum. For women the recommended daily upper limit is 3 units maximum.
  • It is recommended that people DO NOT DRINK THIS MAXIMUM AMOUNT EVERY DAY, (which would, after all, mean exceeding the weekly limit!)

Physical Signs of Dependency

  1. The "Shakes"
  2. Profuse Sweating, especially at night
  3. Urgency of first drink in the morning
  4. Tingling in fingers or toes
  5. Heavy and frequent consumption
  6. Tolerance (apparent inability to get drunk)
  7. Smell on breath in morning

Any one of these would suggest that the drinker is physically dependent on (addicted to) alcohol.

This is a serious problem which may require medical attention. The drinker is strongly advised to contact their GP, apas, or their local alcohol service (look under alcohol in the telephone directory) as soon as possible.
Further investigation is advised.