Drugs and Alcohol

main content

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is an accepted social activity and when taken in moderation can have positive relaxation effects.

The government advise that women can drink 2-3 units of alcohol per day and men 3-4 units a day without damaging their health. A unit is equal to 10ml of pure alcohol. As a rough guide to what you're drinking:

  • A pint of ordinary strength lager or beer - two units
  • A pint of strong lager - three units
  • A pint of ordinary strength cider - two units
  • A 175ml glass of red or white wine - around two units
  • A pub measure of spirits - one unit
  • An alcopop - around 1.5 units

There are often fluctuations in drinking patterns throughout the year. Here are some tips to see you through these times with your health intact.

  • Don't drink on an empty stomach and avoid salty snacks as they tend to make you thirstier.
  • Pace yourself - consider choosing a half instead of a pint, use extra mixers, or alternate with soft drinks or water.
  • Darker drinks like red wine, brandy and whisky give worse hangovers because of higher concentrations of chemicals called congeners.
  • Decide on a limit of how much you plan to drink and stick to it.
  • Avoid top-ups as it's more difficult to keep track of how much you've had.
  • Remember that home measures are usually larger.

Remember you might be over the limit the next morning after a heavy drinking session - if in doubt, leave the car at home.

According to some research it is easy to consume three units of alcohol in one drink, particularly with wine. On average it takes about one hour to process one unit of alcohol in the body therefore a 250ml glass of wine 12% ABV (alcohol by volume) will take three hours to process. An additional factor is tolerance which in general increases with consumption. Gender affects the rate of processing of alcohol in the body, with women being slower to process alcohol than men.

Drugs

Many people take prescribed medication on either a short term or long term basis. If you're taking prescribed medication check with your GP. if it's wise to take alcohol, as many drugs can be affected by, and can affect, alcohol potency.

Also be aware of the effects and side effects of any medication, as it may alter your ability to concentrate or drive, or operate machinery. Read the leaflets supplied with your medication and if in doubt, contact your GP and /or Pharmacist.

Alcohol and Drugs at Work

The inappropriate use of alcohol or drugs can damage the health and well-being of employees and can affect not only their personal but also their working lives. The University of Strathclyde recognises this and is keen to ensure a safe and supportive working environment is provided. Further information can be found in the Alcohol, Drugs and Substances Misuse Policy.