Alcohol is thought to be responsible for 34,000 deaths in the UK each year because of the damage it does to the body, plus many more deaths due to the indirect effect of alcohol on others.
Alcohol is a sedative hypnotic drug that depresses the central nervous system, making you feel more relaxed.
Most adults in the UK drink alcohol moderately and on a social basis and derive a lot of pleasure from doing so.
However, about one in five men and one in seven women regularly drink more than the Department of Health suggests is strictly safe for good health. This is up to two to three units of alcohol a day for women and up to three to four units of alcohol a day for men, to a maximum of 14 units a week for women and 21 units a week for men. A unit of alcohol is equivalent to half a pint of ordinary strength beer, a small glass of wine or a single pub measure of spirits.