What's a safe level?

A drink's alcohol content is measured in units. All of the following contain one unit of alcohol:

• half a pint of regular strength beer (4% ABV – alcohol by volume);
• a glass of wine;
• a pub-sized measure of spirits. (N.B. A standard measure of spirits in Northern Ireland and Scotland contains 1.5 units.)

The British Medical Association suggests that 21 units a week is a sensible limit for men.

Don't drink on at least two days a week, and after a heavy session avoid the stuff for at least 48 hours.

Watch your units – many popular beers are at least 5% ABV and a bottle of lager is more than half a pint. Cocktails are best avoided. And the fizzy stuff, like champagne, is absorbed more quickly than flatter beverages.