Most people who have alcohol-related health problems aren't alcoholics. They're simply people who have regularly drunk more than the recommended levels for some years. Regularly drinking above recommended daily limits risks damaging your health.
Liver problems, reduced fertility, high blood pressure, increased risk of various cancers and heart attack are some of the numerous harmful effects of regularly drinking above recommended levels.
There's no guaranteed safe level of drinking, but if you drink below recommended daily limits, the risks of harming your health are low.
The NHS recommends that men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day and Women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day. 'Regularly' means drinking this amount every day or most days of the week.
Visit the NHS Choices website for more information and advice about alcohol consumption, including online measurement tools and free phone applications. The website of the national agency on alcohol misuse, Alcohol Concern, is also useful, or if you would like help or advice over the phone, you can call the national drink helpline, Drinkline, on 0800 917 8282.