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We understand alcohol can play a part in university life for some students, and they may be new to consuming alcohol. We want all our staff and students to stay safe, and if they choose to drink alcohol, to do this by understanding the national guidance around this. Understanding some of the effects of alcohol on your body and mind is a good start, as well as understanding how many units you are consuming.

Knowing your drinking

All alcoholic drinks will contain a number referring to the number of units there are in the drink. Units are a simple way of expressing the quantity of pure alcohol in a drink. The number of units in a drink is based on the size of the drink, as well as its alcohol strength. For example, a pint of strong lager contains 3 units of alcohol, whereas the same volume of lower-strength lager has approximately 2 units, so a near 50% increase. Knowing your units will help you stay in control of your drinking.

Some general advice

• Men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.
• If you choose to drink, spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week.
• If you want to cut down, try to have several drink-free days each week.
• 14 units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine.

Alcohol Change UK has a so you can see how many units you are consuming and what this could mean for your health.

No "safe" drinking level

If you drink less than 14 units a week on a regular basis, this is considered low-risk drinking.

It's called "low risk" rather than "safe" because there's no safe drinking level.

"Single session" drinking

Drinking too much too quickly on any single occasion can increase your risk of:

• accidents resulting in injury, causing death in some cases
• misjudging risky situations
• losing self-control, like having unprotected sex or getting involved in violence

To reduce your health risks on any single session:

• limit how much you drink
• drink more slowly
• drink with food
• alternate with water or non-alcoholic drinks

Impacts of alcohol on mental health

Brain function - Alcohol is a depressant that alters brain chemistry, affecting neurotransmitter balance. This can lead to impaired judgment, reduced coordination, and slower reaction times. Long-term use can shrink brain cells and lead to cognitive decline.

Mental health - While alcohol may initially seem to improve mood, it can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and irritability over time. Heavy drinking is associated with a higher risk of developing mental health disorders.

Drugs and alcohol help and information

• Alcohol calculator
• Detailed and sensible information about drugs and their effects 0300 123 6600
• Addiction is one of the UK’s leading mental health, drug and alcohol charities working with adults and young people
• Expert articles like ‘How legit are DIY drug testing kits?’
• This NHS page discusses addiction in general including other addictions like gaming or shopping and how it can affect you.

Path to Recovery P2R Bedford Borough

Drug and alcohol advice, treatment and support to adults whose lives are affected; support can include the whole family.

• 01234 352 220

ResoLUTiONs (Luton)

Free, friendly support for young people aged 25 and under, about drugs and alcohol.

• 08000 546 603
• [email protected]

Illegal drug use has a lot of risks and dangers that you need to be aware of. Talk to Frank contains a significant amount of advice, guidance and dangers of drug use. Visit the site 

General information on the use of illegal or illicit drugs

Illegal drugs are not regulated. You do not know what is in the tablet/inhaler or canister when you consume unregulated substances.

The use or distribution of illicit drugs could impact on your enrolment at the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and you may face legal disciplinary action . Drug use, and particularly if you get a criminal record, will have a significant impact on your future career. All illegal drugs will have different impacts on your physical and mental health. As illegal drugs are not regulated, the strength and ingredients in them, even if you are buying the same named product, may be different each time and have different impacts on how your body reacts to them.

If you have pre-existing mental health difficulties, drugs and alcohol can make the symptoms of your mental illness worse. Some drugs may make it more likely for you to get a mental illness, and they may make it harder to treat.

Mental health, and drug and alcohol services will work together to give you the support you need.