Picture this: You walk through the door after a long day at work. Shoes off, kettle on? Nah. Wine poured. Or maybe a quick beer from the fridge. Because, let’s be honest—you’ve earned it.
Or maybe it’s a Friday night, and you and your mates are out. The first pint goes down easy. Then another. Then, suddenly, it’s closing time, and you’re debating whether to get chips or just head straight for a dodgy taxi.
Sound familiar?
For most of us, drinking is just what we do. It’s there when we’re celebrating, when we’re commiserating, and even when we’re just existing after a long week. We’re constantly bombarded with images of people drinking, laughing, living their best lives—whether it’s in beer adverts, wine-drinking characters in TV shows, or even that smug social media post from someone cheersing their holiday cocktail.
But here’s the question: Do you actually know how much you’re drinking?
The Mystery of the Missing Units
If you had to guess, how many units do you think are in your drink? No cheating—just take a wild stab.
A pint of beer (5%)? That’s nearly 3 units.- A large glass of wine (13%)? Around 3.5 units.
- A single measure of spirits (40%)? That’s 1 unit (but let’s be real, who stops at one?)
- A full bottle of wine? 10 units. That’s almost your whole weekly limit in one go.
A pint of beer (5%)? That’s nearly 3 units.
A large glass of wine (13%)? Around 3.5 units.
A single measure of spirits (40%)? That’s 1 unit (but let’s be real, who stops at one?)
A full bottle of wine? 10 units. That’s almost your whole weekly limit in one go.Speaking of limits, the NHS recommends no more than 14 units per week. That’s roughly six pints of beer, or a bottle and a half of wine. More than that, and you’re nudging into the increased risk zone—even if you’re only drinking at the weekend.
Surprised? You’re not alone. Most of us don’t keep track because, honestly, who’s got time to count units when you’re just having a ‘couple’ of drinks?
But Here’s the Serious Bit…
Drinking too much—whether that’s every night or just really going for it on the weekend—has a sneaky way of impacting your health. You might feel fine now, but over time, alcohol can:
Affect your sleep (even if you think it helps you ‘relax’) Impact your mental health (hangxiety, anyone?) Increase your risk of serious health issues, like liver disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers Slow down your metabolism, making it harder to stay healthy Sneak up on you, making cutting down feel like a much bigger deal than it should be
And yet, we still pour another drink without thinking.
So… How Much Are YOU Actually Drinking?
If any of this has made you pause for a second, that’s a good thing. You don’t have to give up alcohol completely, but maybe it’s worth knowing where you stand.
Take this quick quiz to find out how your drinking measures up:
Check your drinking habits here
And if you want to chat about cutting down, we’re here to help. No judgement, just support. Drop us a message or visit Inspire for advice.
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You do not need to wait until things feel unmanageable. Horizon can help you talk through your drinking, understand your options and find support that works for you.
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