How many units of alcohol do you drink per week? — Scope | Disability forum
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How many units of alcohol do you drink per week?

66Mustang
66Mustang Community member Posts: 13,367 Disability Gamechanger
edited April 2020 in Coffee lounge
How many units of alcohol do you drink per week?

I’m just wondering for my own curiosity.

For reference a pint of beer is about 2-3 units, a normal glass of wine is about 2 units, a shot of spirits is 1 unit and a double is obviously 2 units.

I have decided to make this poll anonymous so other people cannot see who voted for what.

How many units of alcohol do you drink per week? 20 votes

None
75% 15 votes
1-7
10% 2 votes
8-14
10% 2 votes
15-21
5% 1 vote
22-28
0% 0 votes
29-35
0% 0 votes
36-42
0% 0 votes
43+
0% 0 votes
«1

Comments

  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    edited April 2020
    Hello @66Mustang  

    Please do not rely on Units they do not mean much a lot of the amounts are just guide lines.

    If you want to drink safely only answer is absenteeism.

    Sorry but it the only way to stave off.

    Fine if you to wish to drink your choice but with my knowledge expertise and health history.

    Understand do you wish to be me and add to that be working as a volunteer on here dealing with addiction constantly with community members.

    Many times late at night when your asleep am on here talking to members and am here to give them reassurance.

    You added anonymously any poll reason are we have a have stigma around alcoholics.

    Since coming off thirteen years till get recognised any time any where I go to .

    Not pleasant at all when public drags your past on and on and through the mud.

    I apologise for being harsh and direct spent too many times wearing the black suit and tie and also the intermediary between families as one has to be intervening.

    Often violence intimidation, bullying and threats and that is the alcoholic causing the issues.

    I am the often the enemy.

    Understand one thing you might need to think about this if you wish to drink.

    I up to date on alcoholic community information, one has to meet so many asking help.

    Government proposals are possibly as it a serious situation in our community.  If you drink does that mean if you became ill addiction.

    Have to pay your own health care after all you started to drink and you made yourself ill. Your problem you pay, I know hard one but it is a fortune costing NHS.

    Please if you wish to know about units please look following links . One final point think of this did you know most wine producers and breweries are reluctant to put consumer advice on their bottles.

    Number of units and so information is lacking.

    http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

    Helpline 0800 9177 650

    Talk To Frank

    https://www.talktofrank.com

    Helpline 0300 123 6600

    Good people talk to councillors phone.

    Please if you do have a problem please remember an alcoholic who is some one not necessarily reliant on alcohol all the time, binge drinking alcoholism.

    Weekend drinking and then nothing all week but what happens the body is resistant to the amount of alcohol.

    Required more and more to be consumed, I actually know people in the alcoholic community who can drink continuous and not get fully drunk.

    Alcoholic is some one who is dependent and has a need whether all the time.

    Please if I say my issues with units are your guidelines stated is not reliable enough.

    Glasses tumblers and so one even a mug do not give precise measurements.

    Examples are me my health history if I can explain, started off drinking wine and mixing drinks socially.

    Whiskey Lemonade or my Southern Comfort and Coke. 

    So in a club give you a tumbler profits come before measuring.

    Have a glass of wine under two units sorry my friend those given big glasses contain five units plus.

    End result had an addiction. Gradually your mind body accepts limits alcohol and you think your OK.

    Medication taking with alcohol a danger not know never done that but know friends who have consume more alcohol drugs not working then they effected meds.

    Average consumption under guideline is around under a certain figure here's the problem changes all the time say it should be less for women.

    Per week .  The units I had were average never sure  because we all lie alcoholics never honest open, then .

    180 to 200 a week, my friend in rehab 340 units a week.

    Alcoholic councillors people say the truth say the realisation the shock and give you it straight . Love all my ladies who helped me Sharon and Debs, Tracy.

    Eighteen months of trauma and still if not for them be not here.

    In rehab teach you tell you units and have to fill our reports as they do , discuss openly in front of others.

    Guilty red faced humiliation so one plus we all bonded had to.

    That equates to me three bottles of wine a day or two bottles of Vodka.

    My friend 40 cans strong lager per day.

    The Legislation on bottles never says how many units just alcohol content, mix with Orange juice or Lemonade or Coke makes it stronger to the taste not watered down.

    So there you go just a small number of reasons why units do not matter a jot, problems and issues.

    If you think you are an alcoholic please contact those links.

    Or speak to Doctor honesty best way forward.  Or contact me for support advice and guidance.

    I still suffer now have mental health memory physical tiredness and anxiety.

    Have a itch every now and then never goes away. Find it struggle to stave on, mentioned this to others following you.

    Following you means some one ahead of you absenteeism.

    Met members of my alcoholic community  councillors therapists and support workers still have an itch every day.

    Been longer absenteeism than me.

    Plus we have all the side effects after wards bowels stomach toilet bladder issues. 

    Please take care.

    @thespiceman









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  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Community member Posts: 13,367 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @thespiceman

    Thank you for the post.

    I understand all of what you are saying. In fact I am an ex heavy drinker (100+ units a week) who managed to get my drinking down. I still now enjoy a drink maybe 1-2 units a day. 

    The thread was just what it says on the tin nothing more, I’m just wondering how many units people drink out of curiosity, nothing more than that.

    Sorry if I caused issues.
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    edited April 2020
    Hello @66Mustang   No you have not caused any issues just do not wish to see any one like myself an alcoholic, must add why the curiosity .

    If you concerned with other peoples drinking habits then must be concerned with your own, I am aware can be direct .

    I have heard this a lot from others who met just not interested but sort of wondering.

    How much do I drink one or two that is all and reality is more than that.

    My question to you why still drink then one of two you say but why.

    If you really want to stop fully why not.  I did it reasons the sustainability of your health for one, means give your body time to recover move on, is it necessary to continue.

    I see having a limit   but you still an alcoholic then are you not.

    One has to be anxious here because if the body system is reacting with alcohol how  will react with out.

    Means if you do this complete absenteeism have to do it under specialist care and slowly.

    If you do it yourself with out help or assistance could be problematic.

    Are you anxious scared insecurities plaguing your mind why just know have that as well myself .

    I do think if do wish to fully stop be achievement and major step.

    Thoughts thinking of you right now

    Alcoholic Amnesiac I was so had to do this.

    Your choice decision.

    Please if you need to ask me anything please do, always here supportive.

    @thespiceman


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  • Ami2301
    Ami2301 Community member Posts: 7,942 Disability Gamechanger
    I tried drinking years ago but didn't like it so I've never drunk it since. Blue WKD and Smirnoff Ice were nice but not while trying to dance to Gangnam Style - never again!
    Disability Gamechanger - 2019
  • woodbine
    woodbine Community member Posts: 11,519 Disability Gamechanger
    I put non as I rarely drink, used to but it disagrees with all my meds now so last time was a glass of wine at christmas, or if we are on holiday i'll have a drink.Never been a big fan of drinking at home.
    2024 The year of the general election...the time for change is coming 💡

  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Community member Posts: 13,367 Disability Gamechanger
    Interesting posts everyone, thanks for sharing :)

    Fair points @thespiceman yes you are right, I am interested in how I compare with others. I am not too worried about having 1-2 drinks a day as the recommended limit is 21 units a week. In my opinion there is no harm in a little bit of what you enjoy but not in excess. However I can understand your reasons for complete absenteeism and I respect you for doing that. 
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @66Mustang   Thank you for reply, depends what you call a little bit of what you fancy does you good.

    My appreciation to you kind words but the problem is when is drinking becoming a problem to you.

    Please it your decision but I have had many friends in the addiction community who are employed now redundant.

    The rehabs and the costs are expensive to councils many have been taken over by agencies.

    My concern is if this become a problem is what is happening right now.

    A problem is when in my opinion you are still an alcoholic if you may not think so.

    So if it become serious a needs become drastic are you going to be thinking to contact any of the links or organisations mentioned before.

    I have to admit if you do any time contact drop in facilities or centres for addiction you may be in for a shock.

    Waiting times enormously long and must add if you did suddenly end up drinking to excess is the help there for you.

    An interesting point.  I know alcoholics died before treatment.

    I have to share also my fears and insecurities why again never answered the question why concerned units discussed last time.

    It is not a game a fun time .  If you think it is your have a laugh no way ruined my life.  Should be married and lost lovely girlfriends partners and much more great mates.

    Because of alcoholism ones in jail for five years right now for robbing banks to fund his habits.

    Got off lightly should be double that but with his addiction mental health now ill in jail.

    Family contacted me last year helpless but he in the right place for therapy I have to get rid as a long time friend.  

    Taxi drivers friends one a lady her son took him to court for stealing off her. Also court order and restraining orders .

    Lost her home and her dignity, now driving 24/7 not a young woman either knackered tired and I am there doing what I can if and when I make a booking.

    Always ask for her care, concerned.

    Last one is me the only gang member of my friends .  All passed on lads and ladies . A big group, reason keep self to self hated this , attending funerals . Punched in the face at one, hated Father who saw us coming.

    Broke my glasses took it out on me the vulnerable one, his son my friend middle twenties.

    Another brain tumour caused by alcoholism and so it went on, awful.

    Found God use that use my prayers and in my thoughts.

    That is the tip of the large iceberg, plus my good looking self every day hurting pain this morning every day and all day.

    No meds no more drugs can help. Agony most night times hence on here searching advising be friend to those like me and you.

    Drinking alcohol met so many wish had not.

    Including me my story plus where ever I go meet lovely families in my community. Secrets are exposed as some one has an alcoholic sibling or parent.

    Some I have met are here to say that sorry I am critical have to share with you one final story.

    Did you know Chinese and some Asian countries the genetic make up of their bodies means get drunk quicker and can not handle it.

    So avoid. I was told this by a Chinese  Doctor living here who is shocked the appalling nature of our alcoholic society.

    We need to address the issues he added , not happening.

    Please what ever your doing take care.

    @thespiceman




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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,585 Disability Gamechanger
    I don't drink at all...used to have the odd beer as a teenager but gave up altogether before I was even old enough to drink.  Much to the disappointment of family & friends...

    I do regret not drinking though, would've probably made me a bit more sociable!  Same with smoking...asking for lighter seemed to be an excellent way of meeting people...  Of course, the irony is, my body is all ruined without ever needing alcohol or cigarettes! (Where's the eye-rolling smiley when you need it? :D )

  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @66Mustang   @Hart86   Units the following limits now new information guidelines.

    14 units per week not 21 , changes all the time. Reason had to find out new information Government keeps changing them rules and guidance.

    Another reason to stop all the time.

    Here the links https://www.drinkaware.co.uk

    The current list is the following.

    One unit of alcohol per drink my advice buy a jug or measuring device with Millilitres on it then you be shocked how little a unit is.

    4.5% Pint of Cider 218 ml.

    13% Glass of Wine 76 ml

    Standard Whiskey Measure 40% 250 ml.

    Standard Beer 4% 250 ml.

    Wine bought and sold that are New World Wines have a higher percentage volume of Alcohol than others.

    South Africa, Australia, South America.

    14 Units per week equates to the current advice this may be changing as it does.

    Six Pints of 4% Beer

    Six Glasses of Wine 13%

    Fourteen small tumblers of 40 % Whiskey or spirits .  175ml.

    Large Wine glasses can be in pubs restaurants 250ml or more, so if you drink two or three drinks of wine.

    A Third of a Bottle nearly all.

    Thought that make you understand.

    Please can add do not find some one dancing when drunk funny.  One of the drinking buddies friends I had, called Bendy.

    Every one who knew that person realised why can falling over constantly in the alcoholic community where I used to reside one time..

    Due to intoxication being ill and drunk, not pleasant at all.

    Even introduced to me as Bendy I am she announced.

    Has a last name rhymed but it stuck, all through my life I knew her till she passed on a few years ago as Bendy.

    Who wants that ?

    Did not know her real name till her husband told me even he was going to put Bendy on the Grave stone.

    Imagine that.

    Sorry if I am preaching or being strict just do not wish to see any one going down the road like me, awful terrible time still resonates.


    @thespiceman




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  • Seanchai
    Seanchai Community member Posts: 411 Pioneering
    edited April 2020
    I used to drink quite a bit at one time , the amount ( when I think about it now) was ridiculous,  I would drink Friday night , sat all day and Sunday all day ( probably around a dozen pints and a good few drams of whiskey) ....apart from anything it was quite expensive , I worked hard all week and I played hard at weekends . My family never went without , they always came first ...my wife saw to that . Of course when I became unemployed ( during to Thatcher closing all the heavy industry down) there were times i could not afford a pint never mind a dozen .. i have never had a drink now for many years . That's as much due to my failing health ( and also our local pub closing down)...I do not miss drink at all , I have a cupboard full of good whisky,s that just lie there ( I got most of these on my travels in Europe and America) ..I also have whiskies and rum I made myself ..and I have a couple of gallon of really strong wine ..oh and a couple of gallons of stout I made . If you enjoy a pint or two on your days off then fine ....just do not let it get a hold of you , I had friends who used to wait on the pub opening and would stay there until they staggered home each day . ( most are now dead ...and I would be lying beside them ) ??
    Enjoy anything you like...but all in moderation ??
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    edited April 2020
    Hello @Hart86   Thank you for your comments you obviously in some sort of quandary why ask about Units .

    Whether you share them or not, why interested in Units and the amount you consume again seems a lot of unanswered questions here on this post the queries the uncertainty.

    Did you know the units of alcohol your consuming,? I do not and never did.

    Proved today @66Mustang quoted today 21 units actually 14 had to check it out again, even though get up to date information.

    The amount per week. 

    I do have problems with alcohol and any addiction no matter how you perceive the image of drinking.

    Most mental health anxiety depression are caused by alcoholism and it is that also many do not recognise.

    I have to state the facts probably more times per week in my role as a volunteer on this forum to members .

    Avoid alcohol.

    Of course I have a different view any body would. The problem is the denial of those who continue to have the desire the need to drink or consume excess amounts.

    Enough said. 

    @thespiceman




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  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @Seanchai   Please can say it does not happen like that gets a hold of you.

    The problem is people in this country are totally unaware of how much they consume.

    Despite Government health programmes and websites that contradict the message say absenteeism is the answer.

    All in moderation what you do call moderation.

    How do you define that ?

    Only thing is those who wish to drink at home do not accept those messages or adverts warnings.

    I had recently met a guy from the Netherlands he was appalled shocked astounded the amount of supermarket shelves stocked with alcohol.

    It is every where on TV one night plethora of ads on alcohol all needs to be removed much more needs to be done.

    @thespiceman  
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  • Ami2301
    Ami2301 Community member Posts: 7,942 Disability Gamechanger
    Hart86 said:
    That sounds so much fun @Ami2301, although my dancing to Gangnam Style is bad even without alcohol thrown into the mix!! (As is my dancing generally ?)
    It was fun to begin with, I'd been practicing the dance for weeks ahead of my 18th - it was just a bad idea to down a WKD before jumping around more than I have ever done in my life! Toilet was my friend for a while... I do miss party songs, even the weird positions they get you into!
    Disability Gamechanger - 2019
  • Seanchai
    Seanchai Community member Posts: 411 Pioneering
    hi Spiceman .... I understand where you are coming from ...Not preaching but giving everyone the benefit of your experiences in life . I,m glad my family are hard working and would not thank you for a drink ..although they can/do enjoy a drink in a social occasion  .I love my Irn Bru and that's my limit these days .  
    ?
  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Community member Posts: 13,367 Disability Gamechanger
    I didn’t realise the recommended limit had dropped to 14. That is really interesting - thanks for sharing. Seems I do need to cut down a little bit more.  :D
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello every one , need to add something that I do not wish to cause distress but need to share.

    Regarding alcoholism I have touched it on the posts.

    Health risks, if you join and enrol a mental health charity do find yourself being in a support group .

    Bring in specialists a range of health subjects and themes.

    One being addiction support worker local rehab.

    They say it how it is often intimate private health issues but do say it so you know.

    Health Risks.

    1.  Can effect moods and mental health anxiety depression.

    2.  Effects physical muscle weakness headaches stomach bowel problems.   Bladder weakness

    3.Toilet soiling one self.  Lack of control bowels and bladder stomach pains.  Also Constipation and IBS plus other bowel problems.

    4. Ladies effects periods pregnancy sexual problems.  Mis carriage .

    5. Gents Erectile dysfunction lack of sperm and sexual problems.

    Lack of desire and impotence .  Prostate Cancer problems.

    6.  Harmful with any medication or drugs prescribed or even over counter medications.

    7.  Results in hangover lack of memory concentration lack of control over decisions and errors mistakes cause mishaps.

    Fits and other problems associated.

    Burns scalds and takes longer to heal.

    8. Bruises cuts take longer to heal recover and falling over very much older alcoholics density of bones weakens.

    More brittle bones and illness leading to complications.

    9. More susceptible to colds infections can have heart attacks chest palpitations chest pains with weaken immune systems blood pressure alleviated.

    10.  Cancers mainly stomach bowels and other associated.

    11.Diseases conditions including Gout, Pancreatitis Liver damage Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, Bronchitis, Circulation problems, Jaundice to name a few.

    I have many more some other shakes shiver tiredness and weight obesity .

    At the same time extremes can rely on alcohol means can be drastic weigh loss.

    Please if any one has any questions please ask me.

    Happy to be advising and supporting.

    @thespiceman








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  • Firefly123
    Firefly123 Community member Posts: 530 Pioneering
    I have drank alcohol once in my whole life but when I say I don't drink people tend to say how long have they been sober ? I once had a consultant at the hospital try to convince me I was an alcoholic even questioning my children. As you can imagine I was so very angry anyway sent me for a liver test and before I even had it the specialists said the consultant should know the medication I'm on gives a false reading and as I expected my liver was perfect. I did not even get an apology just oh OK. 
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    edited April 2020
    Hello @Firefly123   Thank you for sharing sorry to hear this.

    A distressing time for you.

    I hope you made a complaint about the consultant.

    I know some medical conditions can give impressions of being drunk and can have slurred words unbalanced ways of walking.

    Which of course is a difficult aspect of any conditions.

    The question of being asked whether your sober is not only intrusive but does play it seems a part in our British Way of life.

    Recently joined a men's  support group before COVID.

    Appalling shocking attitudes to every thing concerning wellbeing health.

    One lad turned up astounded me with comments going to get hammered tonight, my thoughts why.

    He added a few lines of swearing bad language and continued to go about his duty of insulting me.

    As a Christian about my business asked him not to swear we all do it but not in front of those of children and young adults.

    His appearance was questioning and in the end walked out of the room made a complaint about me .

    Added in my health history and he ended up shouting making some difficulties for me to stay.

    I have left after the team support leader who is in denial of every thing.

    Made an issue of me and then some others dropped it in, their own concerns health history as my own.

    Any way glad of that support but even so what shocked me was the guy was same age as me, in the senses lead to believe looked very haggard dishevelled and had a yellowish complexion and maybe does have a alcohol problem.

    Yellowish skin signs of liver failure or kidney problems.

    I know he has because got phone call from some one swapped numbers with mentioned the guy .

    Passed on two months after meeting us all.

    Seen that before the announcement and persistence of thinking drinking is fun way to have a social life.

    Mormon faith do not consume Caffeine, Smoke, Alcohol. Great times know friends gone all over country events.

    Lots of religions find in their hearts do not have Alcohol as a way of life.

    Even those like Italians French Greeks Spanish take wine at meals but is small glasses and never over indulge.

    I never done this before again took a former friend to a Trattoria he  asked for Bottle of Wine gone after more than two bottles in single session.

    With each course getting drunk and making remarks about food, is not my ideas of having inviting a friend to dinner.

    My Italian friends absolutely horrified about this and asked him to leave.

    Apologies on my behalf and flowers to the Owners wife as she had to bear the insults.

    I find now all the time the cultural aspect of any cooking programme is focused on wine and any alcohol. Why not  focus on food, recent programmes loved and treasured now switched off.

    Not good is it any of this.  After all costs me and you a lot of our taxes to heal and give others a life back.

    Met those with Liver transplants only to continue drinking is there a moral question arising there, a poignant important one.

    Thank you for listening.

    @thespiceman

     




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  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 2,585 Disability Gamechanger
    I have drank alcohol once in my whole life but when I say I don't drink people tend to say how long have they been sober ? I once had a consultant at the hospital try to convince me I was an alcoholic even questioning my children. As you can imagine I was so very angry anyway sent me for a liver test and before I even had it the specialists said the consultant should know the medication I'm on gives a false reading and as I expected my liver was perfect. I did not even get an apology just oh OK. 
    I always get 'the look' when asked how many units I drink by health workers!  :D 

    How much you drink?  None.  Do you smoke? No.  How much caffeine?  None.  Any past illicit substances? Nope.  *Suspicious looks*  What on earth do you do all day!? :D
  • Seanchai
    Seanchai Community member Posts: 411 Pioneering
    I would say not over indulging is moderation . Most of our European friends have a drink from an early age and do not have anywhere near the levels of alcoholism as we have in Scotland. 
    I allowed my kids a shandy from an early age and it seems to have worked ....although one of my three children ( who refused to even drink a shandy and she hated the smell of alcohol ...now she is the only one of my children that drinks on a regular basis .
    I think an early introduction to alcohol helps people accept that they can have a drink without feeling the need to drink heavily .

Brightness