Disclaimer: It’s important if you are physically dependent not to just stop drinking. However, physical dependence is not the only consideration. It’s not necessarily about the number of units you drink, but rather why you are drinking and how your behaviour changes.
Many people drink alcohol for various reasons, and within moderation, it can be enjoyed. Unfortunately, some people find it challenging to stick to the number of units they plan to drink, or they would like to drink. In this blog, we’re answering the question, how many units a week is classed as an alcoholic?
How many adults drink alcohol in the UK?
According to research, around 49% of all adults drink alcohol at least one day every week. Research also suggests that males drink alcohol more often than females.
Research by Drinkaware found that up to 8% of men and 5% of women drink alcohol every day. While it is good to keep the number of drinking days per week to a minimum, it’s also about how much you drink on those days.
What are alcohol units?
Alcohol units are a recognised standard that alcoholic drinks must comply with. Usually, the number of units will be displayed on the alcohol packaging. However, you can also use an online unit calculator to track your consumption.
It’s important to have an idea and understanding of the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis. This can help you to recognise your drinking habits.
You may also notice that alcohol packaging displays percentages known as ‘ABV’. This is the percentage of ‘alcohol by volume’. Spirits are usually higher in ABV compared to wines and beers.
How much alcohol do people drink on average per week?
According to research, 57% of adults drank up to 14 units of alcohol per week, and 23% drank more than this. The results from surveys show that males drink more alcohol per week than females.
What is binge drinking?
This type of alcohol consumption relates to drinking more units in one session. For example, women may drink six or more units, and men may drink eight or more units. This is known as drinking alcohol excessively and is best avoided. Binge drinking is more common in younger people and also more common for males to partake in.
Why can men tolerate more units than women?
There are biological reasons why it is recommended that women drink fewer units than men. For example, women are likely to absorb more alcohol, and it takes longer for women to metabolise it.
What else affects people based on alcohol consumption?
In addition to your gender, there are other elements that can affect the way that your body tolerates alcohol. These include the following.
- Body size
- Metabolism
- Age
- General tolerance
- Diet & food intake
- Health conditions
- Medications being taken
You should always check whether or not it is safe to drink alcohol on any medication you are taking. You can find this out by speaking to a medical professional or reading the leaflet accompanying the medication.
How many units a week is classed as an alcoholic?
There is generally no recognised number of units per week that would mean a person is an ‘alcoholic’. However, if a person regularly drinks more than 14 units per week, they may be an alcoholic.
Rather than the number of units consumed, certain behaviours can be recognised as someone who is misusing alcohol and, therefore, may be an alcoholic.
One of the most common behaviours is that a person would wake up and immediately need an alcoholic drink. This could be to ‘help’ withdrawal symptoms. A common withdrawal symptom is the ‘delirium tremor’, where the body requires alcohol to stop the withdrawal stage from progressing. This would indicate that you have created a physical dependence.
Another common behaviour is a person who cannot fulfil their responsibilities after drinking alcohol the night before. This means that the person may miss work, appointments or more due to their drinking. On a regular basis, this may be recognised as alcohol misuse.
Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to people being unaware of the things that took place the evening before.
When it comes to alcohol dependence, two areas need to be explored: physical and psychological.
If there is a physical dependence, then we would need to place more focus on the number of units that are required to fulfil the reliance. A physical dependence on alcohol may require medication to help the individual manage their symptoms, as it can be more challenging to deal with when compared to a psychological dependence.
When it comes to psychological dependence, the number of units consumed regularly is less important, as the bottom line is that if alcohol is causing problems for you, then the issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
What is an alcoholic?
There are actually different types of alcoholic depending on the behaviours shown. One common type is a ‘high functioning alcoholic’. This type of alcoholic can continue with their regular responsibilities and tasks while drinking. This is not a medical term, and these people may be more likely to be recognised as misusing alcohol rather than being an alcoholic.
An alcoholic is someone who cannot fulfil their daily responsibilities due to the frequent intake of alcohol over the recommended limits. These people are known as having a physical and psychological alcohol dependence as they may experience withdrawal symptoms.
How do I know if I need to cut down on alcohol?
It might be that you recognise this yourself or that a loved one mentions it. It can be tricky to manage if someone else mentions your drinking patterns, as it can lead to feelings of judgement or guilt. It’s important to remember that these people are looking out for you and will want the best for you. When you drink heavily, you put yourself at risk of many serious health conditions.
If you are displaying the behaviours that we mentioned above, then you may need to consider your alcohol intake and cut back. However, this does not necessarily mean that you are an ‘alcoholic’. Read our blog on the stages of alcoholism.
Other signs to look out for include the following.
- Feeling as though you should cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink
- Noticing that other people are criticising your alcohol consumption
- Having feelings of guilt regarding your drinking habits
If you notice any of these emotions, remember that you can take steps to change your lifestyle. The first step to making a change is recognising that you need to. It may be helpful to keep a record of your drinking habits and look for patterns. This way, you can monitor any physical, mental or psychological withdrawal symptoms you experience.
What are the risks of heavy drinking?
There are many risks associated with frequent heavy drinking. Here are just a few that you should be aware of.
- Liver disease – read our blog on alcohol-induced liver damage.
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Adverse reactions to medications
- Mental health risks from alcohol consumption
Many experts recommend that people avoid drinking alcohol altogether, as it can also increase the risks of other issues, such as drowning, burning oneself or domestic abuse. These, or other injuries requiring hospital treatment, could be more likely to be avoided if a person had not consumed alcohol.
How can Acquiesce help?
We provide safe and effective alcohol rehabilitation at our rehab centre in Bolton. We understand the challenges that come with alcohol addiction, both for the person involved and the loved ones around them.
Our team of expert therapists use a range of techniques to overcome the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of the addiction. Some of our techniques include CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Motivational Interviewing, Group Therapy Sessions and our effective 12-step programme. Read our blog on tips for seeking help with alcohol addiction.
We will work closely with you to assess the level of support you require and help you build healthier habits and a happier life. We understand that no two people are the same and are, therefore, flexible in all of our approaches.
Are you worried about yourself or your loved one when it comes to alcohol addiction and dependent drinking? We can help. Contact our dedicated team for confidential, valuable support. If you are worried about how much alcohol you or someone you love is drinking, we urge you to seek advice to reduce potential health risks from alcohol.
