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It can make you be sick, you are more likely to have an accident or get into a fight or it can even cause acute </strong><a href="https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/effects-on-the-body/alcohol-poisoning/">alcohol poisoning</a><strong>, which can be fatal.</strong> </p> <p class="callout-purple">The NHS defines binge drinking as ‘drinking heavily over a short space of time’.<sup>1</sup> The technical definition is more than 8 units of alcohol in a single session for males, or more than 6 units in a single session for females<sup>2</sup> (equivalent to about four pints of normal strength beer for a man or three pints for a woman). </p> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/spacer.css"> <section class="spacer customPadding background-white" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container"> <span class="divider-line"></span> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/fullWidthText.css"> <section class="cb-fullWidthText customPadding background-white anchorUnderlineState" id="spottingthesigns" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container small"> <h2>Spotting the signs</h2> <p class="p1">It takes an average adult around an hour to process one unit of alcohol so that there's none left in their bloodstream, although this varies a lot for individuals. </p> <p class="p1">Early signs that a friend might be drinking too much on a night out include their speech becoming slurred and being unsteady on their feet. This is because alcohol is a depressant and it slows down the brain, affecting the body’s responses.<sup>3,4</sup> </p> <p class="p1">You might also see your friend becoming increasingly irrational as alcohol affects judgement.<sup>5</sup>  </p> <p class="p1">Lowered inhibitions are a noticeable sign. For example, alcohol can make a normally quiet person may become loud or extravert, or a loud person even louder.<sup>6,7</sup> </p> <p class="p1">You might notice your friend is drinking more quickly than you, or that there is a growing number of empty bottles or glasses around them. But don’t be fooled into thinking someone is okay if they’ve had the same number of drinks as you or less. </p> <p class="p1">How much alcohol someone’s body can process depends on lots of things, including how much they have drunk, whether they drink regularly, how much they’ve eaten that day, their general health, their size and their sex.<sup>8</sup>  </p> <p class="p1">If you think they’ve had too much, suggest having no more, getting some air outside together and a glass of water. </p> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/spacer.css"> <section class="spacer customPadding background-white" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container"> <span class="divider-line"></span> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/fullWidthText.css"> <section class="cb-fullWidthText customPadding background-white anchorUnderlineState" id="helpingyourfriend" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container small"> <h2>Helping your friend</h2> <p class="p1">Acting quickly when you think your friend has had too much to drink can help avoid more serious consequences: </p> <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Stay with them and keep talking to them </li> <li class="li1">Don’t let them go home on their own </li> <li class="li1">Don’t let them leave with someone you don’t know or trust </li> <li class="li1">Don’t let them drink more alcohol - this could lead to more serious problem </li> <li class="li1">Call an ambulance if their condition deteriorates </li> </ul> <p class="p1 callout-red"><strong>If you think someone might be experiencing alcohol poisoning, even if you have doubts, call 999 for an ambulance.</strong> </p> <p class="p1">Remember, when someone has had too much to drink, their judgement might be impaired, so don’t get angry with your friend. Get them a glass of water or a soft drink, or even order them some food. This will stop them drinking and give their bodies time to process the alcohol. </p> <p class="p1">In the future, agree a drinks limit with your friends and make sure you have some soft drinks or water. For example, for each alcoholic drink you have, you could alternate with a glass of water before and afterwards. </p> <p class="p1">Following the <a rel="noopener" href="/facts/information-about-alcohol/alcohol-and-the-facts/low-risk-drinking-guidelines/" target="_blank" title="Low Risk Drinking Guidelines">UK Chief Medical Officers' low risk drinking guidelines</a> yourself is a good idea. It’s safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, spread across the week, with several drink-free days each week. </p> <p class="p1 ctaLink"> <a href="https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice-and-support/help-to-support-someone-else/drink-spiking-and-date-rape-drugs">Worried someone has been spiked? Here’s our advice</a></p> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/spacer.css"> <section class="spacer customPadding background-white" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container"> <span class="divider-line"></span> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/fullWidthText.css"> <section class="cb-fullWidthText customPadding background-white anchorUnderlineState" id="whendrinkingtoomuchgetsdangerous" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container small"> <h2>When drinking too much gets dangerous</h2> <p class="p1">Drinking large quantities of alcohol very quickly can lead to acute alcohol poisoning, which can be extremely dangerous. In the most serious cases, alcohol poisoning can result in coma or even death.<sup>9</sup> </p> <p class="p1">Alcohol poisoning can reduce your body temperature (risking hypothermia), cause vomiting (with a risk of choking), lead to a heart attack or a fit, or cause you to stop breathing. Tragically, acute alcohol poisoning was the cause of 525 deaths in the UK during 2022.<sup>10</sup> </p> <p class="p1">There is no minimum amount of alcohol that can cause alcohol poisoning, because alcohol affects us all differently. The risks of short-term harms like accidents or injuries increase between two to five times as a result of drinking between 5 and 7 units of alcohol in a single drinking session, compared with not drinking any alcohol at all.<sup>11</sup> </p> <p class="p1">Someone affected by alcohol poisoning may experience: </p> <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Vomiting </li> <li class="li1">Confusion </li> <li class="li1">Severely slurred speech </li> <li class="li1">Irregular or slow breathing </li> <li class="li1">Loss of coordination </li> <li class="li1">Pale or almost blue skin due to low body temperature </li> <li class="li1">Being conscious but unresponsive </li> <li class="li1">Passing out and being unconscious </li> </ul> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/spacer.css"> <section class="spacer customPadding background-white" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container"> <span class="divider-line"></span> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/interactiveSteppedProcess.css"> <section class="cb-interactiveSteppedProcess background-white" id="fivetipstostaysafeonanightout" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container"> <div class="top"> <h2 class="title h3">Five tips to stay safe on a night out</h2> </div> <div class="inner"> <ul class="tabs"> <li class="tabItem"> <button class="tabBtn" type="button" tabindex="-1" data-tab="0"> <p> Keep track </p> </button> <span class="arrowIcon"></span> </li> <li class="tabItem"> <button class="tabBtn" type="button" tabindex="-1" data-tab="1"> <p> Set a limit </p> </button> <span class="arrowIcon"></span> </li> <li class="tabItem"> <button class="tabBtn" type="button" tabindex="-1" data-tab="2"> <p> Eat a meal </p> </button> <span class="arrowIcon"></span> </li> <li class="tabItem"> <button class="tabBtn" type="button" tabindex="-1" data-tab="3"> <p> Pace yourself </p> </button> <span class="arrowIcon"></span> </li> <li class="tabItem"> <button class="tabBtn" type="button" tabindex="-1" data-tab="4"> <p> Plan your journey home </p> </button> <span class="arrowIcon"></span> </li> </ul> <div class="innerContainer"> <div class="item" data-tab="0"> <div class="itemHeader"> <h3 class="title h4">Keep track</h3> <div class="toggleBtn"></div> </div> <div class="itemBody"> <p class="p1"><strong>Track how many units </strong>you’re having using <a href="https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/track-and-calculate-units-app">our free MyDrinkaware app.</a> </p> </div> </div> <div class="item" data-tab="1"> <div class="itemHeader"> <h3 class="title h4">Set a limit</h3> <div class="toggleBtn"></div> </div> <div class="itemBody"> <p class="p1"><strong>Set a drinks limit. </strong>Allow yourself a set limit of alcoholic drinks you will have on an evening out, so you don’t drink too much in a short space of time.</p> </div> </div> <div class="item" data-tab="2"> <div class="itemHeader"> <h3 class="title h4">Eat a meal</h3> <div class="toggleBtn"></div> </div> <div class="itemBody"> <p><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3998192 BCX0"><strong>Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is never a good idea.</strong> If you know you are going to be drinking some alcohol, make sure you eat a meal before, to help dilute any alcohol you do drink and slowing its impact on your body.</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="item" data-tab="3"> <div class="itemHeader"> <h3 class="title h4">Pace yourself</h3> <div class="toggleBtn"></div> </div> <div class="itemBody"> <p><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW241238545 BCX0"><strong>Make sure you drink at your own moderate pace.</strong> Set the example by opting out of rounds and drinking water or soft drinks as an alternative to alcohol in some rounds; or, better still, opt out of rounds completely.</span><span class="SCXW241238545 BCX0"> <br class="SCXW241238545 BCX0"></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="item" data-tab="4"> <div class="itemHeader"> <h3 class="title h4">Plan your journey home</h3> <div class="toggleBtn"></div> </div> <div class="itemBody"> <p><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW260264032 BCX0"><strong>Plan your journey home in advance.</strong> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW260264032 BCX0">You’re more likely to drink less if you set yourself a time to go home, by making sure you’re on a certain bus or train, or have booked a taxi.</span> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div id="tool" data-logo-large="" data-logo-alt-text="" data-brand="drinkaware-cb" data-gtm="GTM-MRMQMC" data-web-login-enabled="False"> </div> <script src="https://unpkg.com/vue@3.3.4"></script> <script src="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/scripts/tools/v5/ucc-embed/unitAndCalorieCb.umd.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/scripts/tools/v5/ucc-embed/unitAndCalorieCb.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/imageAndLinks.css"> <section class="cb-imageAndLinks background-white" id="" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container"> <div class="inner"> <div class="image"> <picture> <source data-srcset="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/media/wqrdwh4g/istock-1278539775-min.jpg?width=400&height=470&v=1da9583ac3fd5d0 1x, https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/media/wqrdwh4g/istock-1278539775-min.jpg?width=800&height=940&v=1da9583ac3fd5d0 2x" media="(min-width: 1350px)"> <source data-srcset="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/media/wqrdwh4g/istock-1278539775-min.jpg?width=400&height=550&v=1da9583ac3fd5d0 1x, https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/media/wqrdwh4g/istock-1278539775-min.jpg?width=800&height=1100&v=1da9583ac3fd5d0 2x" media="(min-width: 1050px)"> <source data-srcset="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/images/1x1.gif" media="(min-width: 0px)"> <img data-src="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/media/wqrdwh4g/istock-1278539775-min.jpg?width=400&height=470&v=1da9583ac3fd5d0" alt="" class="lazyLoad"> </picture> </div> <div class="text"> <div class="top anchorUnderlineState"> <h2 class="title h3">Further advice and information</h2> <p class="preamble-small"><strong>Arming yourself with strategies and tips can help you or a loved one take small steps towards big results.</strong></p> </div> <div class="itemContainer"> <a href="/advice-and-support/help-to-reduce-drinking/alcohol-in-the-home/how-to-reduce-the-amount-you-and-your-partner-drink/" aria-label="Link To How to reduce the amount you and your partner drink" class="item"> How to reduce the amount you and your partner drink <span class="arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon-pill-arrow" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-pill-arrow" /> </svg> </span> </a> <a href="/advice-and-support/help-to-support-someone-else/worried-about-someone-elses-drinking/" aria-label="Link To Worried about someone else's drinking?" class="item"> Worried about someone else's drinking? <span class="arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon-pill-arrow" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-pill-arrow" /> </svg> </span> </a> <a href="/advice-and-support/help-to-stop-drinking-completely/how-to-stop-drinking-alcohol-completely/" aria-label="Link To How to stop drinking alcohol completely" class="item"> How to stop drinking alcohol completely <span class="arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon-pill-arrow" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-pill-arrow" /> </svg> </span> </a> <a href="/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/general-health-effects/alcohol-poisoning/" aria-label="Link To Alcohol poisoning" class="item"> Alcohol poisoning <span class="arrow"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon-pill-arrow" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-pill-arrow" /> </svg> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/pageReferences.css"> <section class="cb-pageReferences background-white" id="" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container small"> <div class="inner"> <div class="top"> <h2 class="h5"> References <span></span> </h2> </div> <div class="itemContainer"> <div class="item" id="ref-5438"> <p> <span class="number">[1]</span> <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/" target="_blank">NHS website. Alcohol misuse (Accessed 30 March 2022)</a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5439"> <p> <span class="number">[2]</span> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention/chapter-12-alcohol" target="_blank">Department of Health & Social Care. (2021). Guidance. Chapter 12: Alcohol. </a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5440"> <p> <span class="number">[3]</span> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2017.10.032" target="_blank"> Abrahao, K. P., Salinas, A. G., & Lovinger, D. M. (2017). Alcohol and the Brain: Neuronal Molecular Targets, Synapses, and Circuits. Neuron, 96(6), 1223–1238.</a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5408"> <p> <span class="number">[4]</span> <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113938" target="_blank">Nutt, D., Hayes, A., Fonville, L., Zafar, R., Palmer, E. O. C., Paterson, L., & Lingford-Hughes, A. (2021). Alcohol and the Brain. Nutrients, 13(11), 3938. </a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5441"> <p> <span class="number">[5]</span> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1159/000520079" target="_blank">Sundin, E., Landberg, J., Galanti, M. R., Room, R., & Ramstedt, M. (2022). Country-Level Heavy Episodic Drinking and Individual-Level Experiences of Harm from Others' Drinking-Related Aggression in 19 European Countries. European addiction research, 28(2), 134–142.</a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5442"> <p> <span class="number">[6]</span> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01218.x" target="_blank"> Field, M., Wiers, R. W., Christiansen, P., Fillmore, M. T., & Verster, J. C. (2010). Acute Alcohol Effects on Inhibitory Control and Implicit Cognition: Implications for Loss of Control Over Drinking. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 34(8), 1346–1352</a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5441"> <p> <span class="number">[7]</span> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1159/000520079" target="_blank">Sundin, E., Landberg, J., Galanti, M. R., Room, R., & Ramstedt, M. (2022). Country-Level Heavy Episodic Drinking and Individual-Level Experiences of Harm from Others' Drinking-Related Aggression in 19 European Countries. European addiction research, 28(2), 134–142.</a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5443"> <p> <span class="number">[8]</span> Zakhari S. (2006). Overview: how is alcohol metabolized by the body?. Alcohol research & health : the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 29(4), 245–254 </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5444"> <p> <span class="number">[9]</span> <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-dangers-of-alcohol-overdose" target="_blank">National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2023). Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose.</a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5445"> <p> <span class="number">[10]</span> <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/causesofdeath/bulletins/alcoholrelateddeathsintheunitedkingdom/registeredin2022" target="_blank">Office for National Statistics. (2024). Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK: registered in 2022. Available at: </a> </p> </div> <div class="item" id="ref-5446"> <p> <span class="number">[11]</span> Department of Health, Alcohol Guidelines Review – Report from the Guidelines development group to the UK Chief Medical Officers (2016). </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/pageFeedback.css"> <section class="cb-pageFeedback background-white" id="" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container small"> <div class="inner"> <div class="top"> <h3 class="h5">Was this information helpful?</h3> <div class="stars"> <div class="starsItem" data-rate="5"> <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-star" /> </svg> </div> <div class="starsItem" data-rate="4"> <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-star" /> </svg> </div> <div class="starsItem" data-rate="3"> <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-star" /> </svg> </div> <div class="starsItem" data-rate="2"> <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-star" /> </svg> </div> <div class="starsItem" data-rate="1"> <svg aria-hidden="true" role="img"> <use xlink:href="/images/icons.svg#icon-star" /> </svg> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bottom hidden"> <h2 class="h3">Thanks for your feedback</h2> <p class="preamble"> </p> </div> </div> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/pageInformation.css"> <section class="cb-pageInformation customPadding background-white" id="" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container small"> <div class="dates"> <p><strong>Last Reviewed: </strong>22nd October 2024</p> <p><strong>Next Review due: </strong>22nd October 2027</p> </div> </div> </section> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/contentblocks/newsletterSignUp.css"> <section class="cb-newsletterSignUp customPadding customSubnavBG background-white" id="" data-aos="fade-up" data-aos-duration="800" data-aos-delay="0"> <div class="container"> <div class="inner"> <div class="content anchorUnderlineState"> <div class="top"> <p class="overline">Newsletter</p> <h2 class="title">Tips to change your relationship with alcohol</h2> </div> <div id="newslettersignup" data-addressbook='32778248' data-gtm='GTM-MRMQMC'></div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://media.drinkaware.co.uk/assets/css/views/components/webchat.css"> <div id="chat" data-webchaturl="https://api.drinkaware.co.uk" data-stylenonce="VkomdkXYZegkdkeogjvKm37M" data-imagepath="/images/views/components/chatbot" data-introtext="Hello! 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