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Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to Drinkaware’s FAQ. If you can’t find the answer to any of your questions here, then please email us.

• Where can I order the unit calculator and other Drinkaware publications?
• How much do your publications cost?
• I live outside of the UK. Can I order your publications?
• Do you produce publications in any other languages?
• Can I use the Drinkaware logo?
• How do I apply for a grant?
• I have an idea for alcohol safety product that I think Drinkaware would be interested in. Who can I speak to regarding this?
• I’m worried about someone’s drinking habits, where can I get help or support?
• What is a unit?
• How many units can I drink safely?
• What is binge drinking?
• From what age am I legally allowed to drink?
• What is the law surrounding drink driving?

Where can I order the unit calculator and other Drinkaware publications?

The unit calculator and all of our available publications can be ordered here.

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How much do your publications cost?

Each publication has a complementary limit beyond which there is then a minimal charge per item. If you would like to place an order above the complementary limit please contact Laura Ellis. Paid orders will require a purchase order.

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I live outside of the UK. Can I order your publications?

Unfortunately we are unable to ship orders internationally.

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Do you produce publications in any other languages?

At the present time all our publications are printed in English but do contact us to discuss other formats.

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Can I use the Drinkaware logo?

Drinkaware.co.uk is a registered trade mark (Community Trade Mark No. 003933645) Therefore, people need to complete our online logo request form to apply to use the logo.

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How do I apply for a grant?

All of the information you need about applying for a grant from Drinkaware can be found here.

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I have an idea for alcohol safety product that I think Drinkaware would be interested in. Who can I speak to regarding this?

Drinkaware aims to provide independent and impartial information about responsible drinking. We are therefore unable to support any commercial products over any other.

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I’m worried about someone’s drinking habits, where can I get help or support?

You can contact Drinkline, a free confidential helpline, on 0800 917 8282. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained advisor will be able to discuss your concerns with you and point you towards local support services. In Scotland, Alcohol Focus Scotland should be able to help.

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What is a unit?

One unit is 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol. This equals one 25ml single measure of whisky (ABV 40%), or a third of a pint of beer (ABV 5-6%) or half a standard (175ml) glass of red wine (ABV 12%).

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How many units can I drink?

Drinking in moderation should not have any adverse health effects. The government advises that people should not regularly drink more than the daily unit guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol for men (equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer) and 2-3 units of alcohol for women (equivalent to a 175 ml glass of wine) ‘Regularly’ means drinking every day or most days of the week.

To calculate your unit consumption, use our calculator here

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What is binge drinking?

For the NHS, binge drinking is defined as drinking over double the daily unit guidelines in one session. For men this is over eight units , and for women, over six. However, because individuals are all different, the rate at which they reach intoxication varies. Binge drinking is a major factor in accidents, violence and anti-social behaviour.

For more information visit our binge drinking page.

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From what age am I legally allowed to drink?

The law is complex. It is illegal to give alcohol to children under five, but after the age of five children can drink alcohol at home with adult supervision. Under the Licencing Act (2003) children aged under 16 may now enter any part of a licensed premises as long as they are accompanied by an adult, but they cannot drink alcohol. Young people aged 16 and 17 may consume some types of alcohol – namely beer, cider and wine - as long as it is with a meal, and they are accompanied by an adult, except in Scotland where they can be unaccompanied but are restricted to areas used only for meals. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol at the bar of a pub, or from any other outlet selling alcohol.

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What is the law surrounding drink driving?

It is an offence to drive with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 ml of breath. It is impossible to say how many units or drinks this represents, because everyone metabolises alcohol at different rates. For more information visit our drink driving page.

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