A lot of Australians are deluding themselves about the health benefits from alcohol. Alcohol is high in kilojoules and drinking excessively increases body weight, raises blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Long term harm from alcohol includes diseases such as cancer, diabetes and damage to liver and brain cells.

The benefits of drinking less alcohol is immediate, you will feel sharper and more energetic. For more information on safe alcohol consumption and how you can cut down click read more.

What is safe alcohol consumption? Everyone should aim to have 1 or 2 alcohol free days a week. To limit health risks men should have no more than 4 standard drinks a day on average and never more than 6 a day and for women no more than 2 standard drinks a day on average and never more than 4 a day.

Tips on cutting down

• Never drink alcohol to quench your thirst and alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Choose low-alcohol beer or dilute alcoholic drinks with mixers.
• Take smaller slower sips and set a mental limit on your intake.
• Avoid drinking in rounds or keeping up with others - binge drinking is a serious health risk.
• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach - food helps slow down the rate of alcohol absorption into your body.
• Plan to shorten your drinking time - begin later and go home earlier.
• Say no to top-ups. This makes it easier to count your drinks.
• Have ready made answers when pressured to drink more than you want e.g. No thanks - I'm driving, I have to get up early in the morning, I've had enough, I'm on a training program, I'm taking medication.

Alcohol abuse is most obvious when people cannot fulfill their work or personal obligations due to their drinking. Serious medical, psychological, relationship, legal, work and financial problems usually arise in the course of alcohol abuse. If you or someone you love has an alcohol problem consult with your GP or call Alcohol and Other Drugs Services on (08) 8922 8399 or Amity Community Services Inc. on  1800 684 372 to obtain information about treatment options and to access counselling.