Most people drink some alcohol and the recommended safe limits for alcohol consumption are:

• men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, with no more than four units in any one day.
• women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, with no more than three units in any one day.

One unit of alcohol is about half a pint of beer, two thirds of a small glass of wine, or one small pub measure of spirit.

However, some people drink too much alcohol and drinking above the recommended safe limits poses health problems as it increases the risk of developing diseases such as liver damage, damage to the pancreas, certain cancers, heart problems, depression, anxiety and sexual problems.

Have you ever:

• felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
• felt annoyed by people criticizing you about the amount you drink?
• felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
• had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

If your answer to two or more of these questions is ‘yes’, it is possible that you have a problem controlling the amount of alcohol you consume.