You and alcohol

Alcohol is directly absorbed into the blood and affects almost all cells and systems in the body.

There is no amount of alcohol that can be said to be safe for everyone

Drinking to excess over many years increases your risk of:

• Chronic liver disease
• Cancer, especially mouth and throat
• Heart disease and stroke
• Memory problems.

Binge drinking is dangerous

‘Binge drinking’ is drinking heavily with the intention of becoming drunk. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can result in confusion, blurred vision, poor muscle control, nausea, vomiting, sleep, coma or even death. It can also impair your judgement and greatly increase your risk of physical injury.

Understanding how to count standard drinks can help you keep track of how much you drink. For more information on standard drinks, download the Alcohol Fact Sheet.

Tips on drinking responsibly

• Start with a non-alcoholic drink
• Eat before and while drinking to slow the absorption of alcohol into your blood stream
• Avoid salty snacks that make you thirsty
• Make every second or third drink non-alcoholic
• Try low-alcohol drinks
• Always keep your drink with you to minimise the risk of drink spiking

For more information

For more information and tips on drinking responsibly, you can download the Alcohol Fact Sheet.