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Alcohol and Drugs

Drinking Guidelines

The UK Chief Medical Officers published guidelines in 2016 for both men and women which are:

  • To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it’s safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
  • If you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it's best to spread your drinking over three or more days. If you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risk of death from long-term illness and from accidents and injuries
  • The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis
  • If you wish to cut down the amount you drink, a good way to help achieve this is to have several drink-free days every week
  • If you are pregnant or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to your baby to a minimum

graphic showing how much people should drink in pints wine and spirits

Visit Count14 for information on what a unit is, calculating units and tips to reduce your drinking. 

Where to go for help

Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Service (ADRS) aims to improve the lives of people with alcohol and drugs problems in East Dunbartonshire.  Select the link for more information, how to access the service and how to access Naloxone.   

Glasgow Council of Alcohol (GCA) offer individual, free and confidential counselling for people in East Dunbartonshire experiencing alcohol-related difficulties and those affected by someone else’s alcohol issue. Select the link for more information and how to access the service. 

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs provides support, information and advice to anyone in Scotland concerned about someone else's alcohol or drug use.

With You provide free, confidential support on alcohol and drugs online and services for families and young people in East Dunbartonshire.

Know the Score provides facts about drugs as well as being able to offer free, confidential information and advice on the phone; on webchat and by email.

Crew provides non-judgemental and up to date information and support to help people make positive choices about their drug use and sexual health.  

FRANK provides information on drugs as well as confidential information, advice and support for anyone concerned about alcohol and illegal drugs on the phone, via text, on webchat and by email.