By Fiona Callingham
A doctor has shared exactly how many drinks a person needs to consume to experience a hangover the next day, warning that taking it too far can result in poisoning. The expert warns that it doesn’t take much for alcohol to affect the nervous system and brain. For many Britons, consuming alcohol is a routine aspect of life. A survey conducted by YouGov revealed that approximately 82 per cent of individuals in the UK admit to drinking. Data from 2022 indicates that six per cent of British adults have an alcoholic beverage daily, while another four per cent drink five or six days a week. One in seven (14 per cent) indulge three or four days a week, 23 per cent enjoy a tipple one or two days a week, while one in three (33 per cent) claim they drink less frequently. Despite the common knowledge that alcohol consumption can negatively impact our health, it remains a prevalent habit. Ahead of Alcohol Awareness Week on July 7, a medical professional explained more about the immediate effects of alcohol on the body. Doctor Bhavini Shah, a GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor , shared the various stages of alcohol consumption. “One or two units of alcohol increases the heart rate, expands blood vessels, and gives a slight ‘buzz’ which commonly makes people feel more sociable or talkative,” she explained. As reported by The Mirror , one unit equates to 10ml or eight grams of pure alcohol, roughly the amount the average adult can metabolise in an hour. The quantity of units in an alcoholic beverage is determined by the drink’s size and its alcohol content. For instance, according to the NHS, a pint of high-strength lager carries three units of alcohol, while the same amount of a weaker lager contains just over two units. Dr Shah continued: “After four to six units, alcohol begins to impact your nervous system, decreasing reaction time and affecting areas of the brain associated with decision making, resulting in poorer judgement and potentially more reckless behaviour.” The onset of a hangover typically occurs at around eight units. This equates to approximately four pints of low-strength cider or beer (3.6 per cent) or four standard 175ml glasses of wine. “After eight units, your vision and sleep will be affected and you will have consumed more alcohol than your liver can process in one night, resulting in a hangover,” explained Dr Shah. “And after ten units, your coordination will be highly impaired and you can expect symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, as well as dehydration and headaches.” Nonetheless, consuming eight or more units of alcohol is categorised as “binge drinking” for the average man, and six or more units for women. The NHS advises that adults should not regularly exceed 14 units of alcohol per week. It advises: “Spread your drinking over three or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week.” Dr Shah added that, “after 12 units, you are at great risk of alcohol poisoning.” Dr Shah explained: “Your body will metabolise alcohol at its own rate and there is not much evidence that you can speed up this natural process. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the symptoms of your hangover. “Going to sleep is a good way to let your body naturally remove alcohol from your system by itself. Drinking water is also essential as it will prevent the dehydrating effects of the alcohol and reduce the impact of headaches. “You should also try to eat bland foods as these will increase your blood sugar without upsetting your stomach.” For guidance on reducing alcohol consumption, visit the NHS website here .