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Alcohol

Alcohol

Cutting down on alcohol can improve your health and how you feel. UK guidance is to drink no more than 14 units a week, spread over several days.

At a glance

  • UK guidance is no more than 14 units a week.
  • Support is available if you want to cut down.
On this page (2 sections)

Overview

Drinking less lowers the risk of health problems and can improve sleep and mood. [1]

What can help

UK guidance is to drink no more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days with some drink-free days. If you would like to cut down or are worried about your drinking, support is available. [1]

Sources

  1. NHS. Healthy living (Live Well) (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.

About this page

Written by
Consumer Health editorial team
Medical review
Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
Last updated
August 2026
Next review due
August 2027

Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.

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