Alcohol awareness

Find out more about alcohol and the benefits of drinking less

This page helps you understand how alcohol affects your health and the benefits of drinking less. You’ll find practical tools like the free Drinking Check quiz, tips for cutting down, and guidance on UK drinking limits. We also share short-term and long-term health benefits, advice from trusted organisations, and links to local and national support.

By using these resources, you can make informed choices, improve your wellbeing, and reduce health risks linked to alcohol.

Drinking check online tool

The Drinking Check is a free, confidential tool which requires you to answer up to 10 short questions on your drinking habits and behaviour to understand your level of risk from drinking alcohol. You’ll receive a personalised summary showing your level of risk, alongside practical tips and support options tailored to your results.

Take the Rethink your drink quiz provided by drinkaware 

UK Recommended Drinking Limits

Your weekly unit intake

Men and women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week.

These units should be spread over three or more days.

It is advised that you should have several alcohol-free days each week.

Binge drinking (large amounts in one sitting) increases health risks and should be avoided.

Find out more about the guidance for your weekly unit intake, watch the video provided by Alcohol Change UK

What does a unit of alcohol look like:

• 1 unit = half a pint of beer (3.6% ABV)
• 1.5 units = small glass of wine (125ml at 12% ABV)
• 1 unit = single measure of spirits (25ml at 40% ABV)

So, 14 units is roughly:

• 6 pints of beer (4% ABV)
• 6 medium glasses of wine (175ml at 13% ABV)
• 7 double measures of spirits

Source: NHS Health Scotland

Drinkaware Drinking Check Quiz

Try the drinking check quick quiz provided by drinkaware. It’s free, confidential, and gives you personalised advice.

Take the Rethink your drink quiz provided by drinkaware

Use the unit calculator to find out how many units are in a particular drink, or to check how much you're drinking.

Or download the Try Dry App

UK leading support agencies

Drinkaware and Alcohol Change UK are leading support agencies who provide lots of helpful facts and advice.

Facts about alcohol consumption | Drinkaware

Alcohol change Fact sheets | Alcohol Change UK

Drinking too much alcohol can be harmful to your health

Find out about the risks of drinking too much alcohol on the NHS website.

• NHS guidance on the risks of drinking too much

Benefits of Drinking less

Short Term Benefits

• better sleep and more energy
• improved mood and mental clarity
• brighter skin and healthier appearance
• weight loss due to fewer empty calories

Longer term benefits

• lower risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and liver disease
• improved immunity and brain function
• reduced blood pressure and cholesterol
• fewer accidents and injuries
  

This video from Drinkaware talks about the benefits of cutting down on drinking alcohol.

Tips to help you drink less

1. Know the limits
2. Set your goals
3. Identify your trigger
4. Ask for support
5. Plan ahead
6. Take drink free days
7. Be proactive
8. Try switching to alcohol free drinks

Further guidance

I would like to reduce my drinking - guidance from Drinkaware

Tips on cutting down provided by the NHS 

Local Support

Inclusion IOW offer free, confidential, and easy-to-access support for anyone on the Isle of Wight affected by alcohol or drugs—whether it’s your own use or someone else’s.

Inclusion IOW for the local drug and alcohol service

Online support

Drinkaware website

Alcohol Change UK website