Scales - Resource One
3. What are the guidelines for low risk alcohol consumption?
To help people understand how to keep the risks of drinking to a low level, many countries have guidelines for alcohol consumption.
The guidelines typically include the following:
- a weekly guideline on regular drinking
- advice on single episodes of drinking
- a guideline on pregnancy and drinking
UK guidelines for low risk alcohol consumption
Listen to the UK guidelines for low risk alcohol consumption
Weekly drinking guideline
| Women | Men | |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Less than 14 units a week | Less than 14 units a week |
| Hazardous | Between 15 and 35 units a week | Between 15 and 50 units a week |
| Harmful | Over 35 units a week | Over 50 units a week |
Single occasion drinking episodes
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink on a single occasion
- Spread your drinking evenly over 3 or more days
Pregnancy and drinking
- If you are pregnant or could become pregnant the safest approach is not to drink alcohol
- Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause long-term harm to the baby, the more you drink the higher the risk