UK Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines are just that - advice based on up to date evidence - out for consultation to the public until April 1 this year.


Sensible people - including healthcare workers - will make informed choices about alcohol consumption and " moderation " may well be their conclusion . Those who misuse alcohol may not be aware of, or ignore, the recommendations. Alcohol misuse is certainly costly - in health and to society - both in the UK and the Philippines, as elsewhere in the world.


The UK " unit " ( 10 ml / 8g of pure alcohol ), or " alcohol by volume " ( % of pure alcohol in a drink ), may not be well understood, a more vague alternative simply being " alcoholic drink " .


Main recommendations :-


1. Safest for men and women not to drink more than 14 units / week, preferably with " several " drink-free days a week.


2. Single drinking episodes - try to limit the amount consumed ( drinking more slowly, with food ) and ensure you can get home safely.


3.If pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, safest not to drink alcohol at all, keeping risks for the baby to a minimum.


My work involved diagnosis of illness, to ensure best treatment - I don’t make value judgements. It’s interesting to read Forum members’ opinions, and if you’re motivated, here’s the link to respond to the UK public consultation on keeping health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level :-



https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...guidelines.pdf