Found yourself with a headache after a night out?

 Or have you ever been in a situation where you have felt unwell after having too much to drink?  Whilst alcohol can make a situation more fun and enjoyable, it is always important to make sure that you keep yourself safe and well.

How many units of alcohol does the NHS recommend you drink no more than within a week?

Why should you know your limits with alcohol?

Brain Development

In the UK, you are legally entitled to purchase alcohol from the age of 18, however, your brain will continue to develop into the mid-20s, and the consumption of alcohol can interfere with its structure and function.  This can lead to issues such as mental health -problems in the future.

Risk of Addiction

Young adults are at a heightened risk of developing issues with addiction to alcohol, due to behavioural and psychological factors from yourself and others around you.  Making sure you limit your intake can be a great way to prevent this.

Financial Costs

As you may already know, alcohol can be expensive!  Frequent purchases of drinks, especially when you’re out at a restaurant or nightclub, can be very costly.  If you’re a student on a budget, it’s important to prioritize other things such as food and rent beforehand.

Legal Consequences

It’s important to keep yourself safe when drinking, but it can also have impacts on those around you.  Try and work out if the following laws are true or false:

• If you are caught driving above the drink/drive limit, you could find yourself with six months in prison.

• Challenge 25 means you could be asked for ID when purchasing alcohol until you turn 25 years old.

• The limit for drink driving in the entire UK is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. 

Tips for Enjoying Alcohol Responsibly

• Ensure you drink lots of water as well as alcohol to remain hydrated.
• Eat before and whilst you drink, this can slow the absorption of alcohol.
• Plan alcohol-free days to allow for your body to recover.
• Be mindful of peer pressure, it’s for you to decide if you drink or not.

Safety | Coventry University