Research shows many North-East drinkers are unaware of maximum recommended limits (From The Northern Echo)

Research shows many North-East drinkers are unaware of maximum recommended limits

2:49pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Barry Nelson, Health Editor

LESS than one in 10 people in Darlington are keeping check on how much alcohol they drink and more than a third don't know what the maximum units are, according to new research.

Meanwhile, in Middlesbrough only 22 per cent of people know what the maximum alcohol units are and less than one in 10 are checking on how much they drink.

The latest snapshot of the region's drinking habits are revealed as Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, launches a regional campaign encouraging people to check how much they are drinking and to raise awareness of the potential health harms.

The campaign, part of the Government's Change4Life programme, encourages people to check their alcohol intake using an online Drinks Checker tool, or by downloading a drinks tracker app, which show how simple changes can benefit your health.

Research also showed that keeping track is lowest amongst 18 to 34-year-olds and that 35 per cent of people in Darlington don't know what the maximum limits are.

To avoid health problems adult drinkers are advised to stick to the Government's recommended limits and should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day, or about two small glasses of wine, for a woman and 3-4 units, or about two pints of low strength beer or lager for a man. Regularly means drinking this amount most days or every day.

Colin Shevills, director of Balance, said: "Our campaign is essentially aiming to help people cut down. Drinking more than the recommended limits on a daily or almost daily basis can have serious long term implications for our health including cancer, heart disease, liver disease and stroke."

Visit the Change4Life website at Change4Life/Pages/drink-less-alcohol.aspx for more information.

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