Alcohol is a depressant which when used in combination with other depressant drugs such as benzodiazepines, heroin or methadone will increase their sedative effects. Alcohol also reduces the effectiveness of many medicines.

The Department of Health recommends a daily level of not more than 4 units of alcohol for males, and not more than 3 units daily for females. Weekly recommended levels should not exceed 21 units for males and 14 units for females. N.B. these are the recommended safe levels for healthy adults, and it is advisable to have 1 or 2 alcohol free days a week. It is unclear what would be the safe limits for individuals who are using other drugs. The safe limit for someone with hepatitis is zero. Alcohol accelerates liver damage in people with hepatitis C. Nearly all the alcohol you drink will be burnt up by the liver, and it takes 1 hour to break down 1 unit of alcohol. Alcohol is absorbed in the stomach so eating food before or whilst drinking slows down the rate of absorption. A half a pint of standard beer or lager is 1 unit of alcohol. A small glass of wine = 1 unit of alcohol. 1 shot/small glass of spirits = 1 unit of alcohol.

Useful links:
(*Inroads is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.)

Drinkline is the UK national helpline providing confidential advice and information about alcohol. Telephone 0800 9178282. Mon – Fri. 9.30a.m. – 11p.m. Sat + Sun 6p.m. – 11p.m. All calls charged at local rate.


BBC News  (a report entitled “Alcohol labelled in units")
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/regions/wales/406167.stm  

Health Information Service - Tel. 0800 665544
Alcohol Concern  - Tel. 020 7928 7377
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
e-mail: contact@alcoholconcern.org.uk 

Drugscope - Tel. 020 7928 1211
www.drugscope.org.uk
e-mail: services@drugscope.org.uk

HIT - Tel. 0870 9909702
http://www.hit.org.uk
e-mail: stuff@hit.org.uk

Local Alcohol Services:
The Fitzhammon Centre is an alcohol free day resource. Opening times: Mon: 11a.m. – 6p.m. Tues – Fri: 10a.m. – 6p.m.  Tel. 029 2038 8003
http://www.penyrenfys.co.uk/

Dyfrig House is a 21-bed residential project for both males and females attempting to overcome an alcohol problem. Tel. 029 2023 2127
http://www.penyrenfys.co.uk/

Cardiff Drug and Alcohol Team. Based in the Cardiff Royal Infirmary. Tel. 029 2046 8568

Alcohol Services for All (ASFA) is a user group that meets at the Fitzhammon Centre. Please tel. 029 2038 8003 for date of the next meeting.