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Original poster

alchol units

19 replies

MumRum · 09/05/2008 14:46

Just wondered how many drink units there are in special brew, and how many units is safe for a man per week... Thanks

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Original poster
MumRum · 09/05/2008 15:54

bump...
anyone know where I can find this info...

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Original poster
MumRum · 09/05/2008 17:21

ok.. I know this is really dull... but does no one know..... pretty please

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mankymummy · 09/05/2008 17:27

4 units in a can of special brew.

i dont think there is a definitive "safe" limit as no-one can agree on what "safe" means.

hope that helps.

mankymummy · 09/05/2008 17:28

look here...
www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2005/01/05/think_drink_alcohol_quiz_feature.shtml

it says 3-4 units for a man per day with at least two alcohol free days a week.

Original poster
MumRum · 09/05/2008 17:36

bloody hell........
this week hubby has had about
3 cans on monday + 1 small bottle of wine
0 on tuesday
4 cans on wednesday
2 cans thursday
4 probably tonight
4 probably sat
4 probably sunday...

this is a lot... right.....

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mankymummy · 10/05/2008 08:15

do you mean cans of special brew?!

yes it does sound a lot. can you get him to switch to a less alcoholic beer?

Original poster
MumRum · 10/05/2008 08:46

Hi Mankymummy, thanks for getting back to me, Hubby is always ill lately, always tired and cranky, and I think that the drink is too blame... but when I broach the subject he is always so defensive.. I just wanted a few facts before I try again...
would he be over the limit for driving if he had four special brews the night before..

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FrannyandZooey · 10/05/2008 08:53

if he's had 16 units of alcohol the night before then it will take approx 16 hours from the time he stops drinking for the alcohol to leave his body
eg if he drinks 4 cans of special brew and stops drinking at midnight, he would be alcohol free again about 4 pm the next day

sorry this all sounds like a big shock to you
he's really drinking a LOT
would you consider phoning one of the alcohol advice services to get advice for yourself and get things clear in your mind?

FrannyandZooey · 10/05/2008 08:57

actually according to this it is 3 units in a can
so 12 units in 3 cans
so he would be clear again to drive approx 12 hours after stopping drinking

Original poster
MumRum · 10/05/2008 08:58

Yeah... I'm shocked about this... I didn't realise it was so bad, especially how long alcohol stays in the body.. he drives for a living and could loose his job if breathalised in the morning...
thing is he gets really arsy if I mention it.. he really hates his job which doesn't help.. so the alcohol intake is going up.. and he justifies it by.. its a little treat.. I've had a hard day

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FrannyandZooey · 10/05/2008 09:00

sorry I meant 12 units in 4 cans obviously

I don't really know how / if you can help him while he is so defensive and angry about it
he sounds quite depressed doesn't he?
I would definitely ring someone like Drinkline or Al Anon and tell them what you have told us

Original poster
MumRum · 10/05/2008 09:02

Its the money he's wasting as well that annoys me......

thanks for the link FrannyandZooey...

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Original poster
MumRum · 10/05/2008 09:06

god... maybe I should move this to the relationship board... that it... I think he is depressed, but its hard to say weather its the drink that makes it worse or the depression, and the things thats makes him drink... its a vicious circle... he did have a doctors appointment about a year ago about his depression, but he changed his job and canceled it... He hates every job he has had.. there is not much career advice for a man of 47, its all aimed at the youngsters

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FrannyandZooey · 10/05/2008 09:08

try these people maybe

I would be more worried about his health tbh
but if you've got financial difficulties then it's affecting your whole family in lots of ways
I do hope he can come round to seeing this
but it sounds like he is maybe very unhappy and feeling trapped in his job
tackling his drinking will be very hard unless things in his life can change to make things easier for him

I am sorry, I used to have an alcohol problem myself and know how upsetting it is

phlossie · 10/05/2008 09:09

My dh has a drink every night, though red wine usually and only a glass (big one though). I've tried to tell him that it's not brilliant for his health, but it doesn't stop him because 'he enjoys it'. I don't think it's problem drinking, only it is habit and is a bit of an emotional crutch - eg the whole drinking because I've had a bad day thing.
Although it doesn't really matter what the drink is, Special Brew is properly pokey! Could you try getting him a lower %vol beer?

FrannyandZooey · 10/05/2008 09:10

oh cross posts
yes depression and alcohol often linked
I suffered from depression and started drinking to numb it - but in the end the alcohol was causing the depression, just as you say it is a vicious circle

since I stopped drinking I don't have a problem with depression any more
I'm very lucky

Hadassah · 10/05/2008 09:13

Also, Adfam www.adfam.org.uk/ can point you to local support services, if any. In general DoH view is that any male drinking over 50 units a week is a harmful drinker in terms of health risks. The problem is, it takes a long time at 50 units a week before the risks turn into damage that can actually be felt, so some people dismiss any guidance as nonsense.

emma1977 · 10/05/2008 10:58

The upper limit for men should not exceed 21 units/week. Your husband is currently drinking about 100 units/week (that you are aware of). I also find drinking super-strength cider or lager is a good pointer for someone who is drinking for the effect of the alcohol, not because they like the taste!

If he continues drinking at this level he could damage his health, both physically and mentally. He will need help to cut down and stop drinking.

Talk to him about seeing his GP again. Offer to book the appointment or go with him if it'll help.

At the very least, he should have his liver enzymes checking and your GP may be able to refer him to a locally based alcohol dependence service.

Good luck.

Original poster
MumRum · 11/05/2008 15:14

quick update...
had a word with hubby (whilst we were unpacking the shopping)
he has agreed to stop drinking during the week... and only to have a drink during the week if he has a bad day at work... althought that said, he always has bad days at work!! never had a good one yet he's never had a job hes likes in the 20 years we've been together..
told him he was a different man on holiday when he doesn't drink during the week.
he is always ill lately and I'm sure its because he drinks too much and stays up late and stresses out with his job! and no its not a high powered stressful, well paid job either, I'll have to see if I can get him back to the doctors.. he did have an appointment for counciling 18 months ago but he canceled it!

anyway.. thanks everyone who replied,

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