Table 2.

Specification of user risk level^a

Higher risk: consumption of more than twice the upper limit of the lower risk daily guidelines (6 units for women, 8 units for men), on four or more occasions within 1 week. Alternatively, consumption of more than 50 units within 1 week for a man, or more than 35 units within 1 week for a woman, regardless of the regularity of drinking

Increasing risk: consumption of more than the upper limit of the lower risk daily guidelines (3 units for women, 4 units for men), on four or more occasions during the week. Alternatively, consumption of more than 21 units within 1 week for a man, or more than 14 units within 1 week for a woman, regardless of the regularity of drinking.

Lower risk: consumption of more than the upper limit of the lower risk daily guidelines (3 units for women, 4 units for men), on no more than three occasions during the week. Alternatively, consumption of no more than 21 units within 1 week for a man, or no more than 14 within 1 week units for a woman, regardless of the regularity of drinking.

^aRisk definitions were chosen by the Drinkaware independent Medical Advisory Panel, prior to the new CMO alcohol guidelines published in January 2016 [22] and are based on definitions stated in the Health Survey for England [44]