Alcohol Awareness Week 2026: Know Your Units and Make Better Choices

Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 (15–21 June) is an important opportunity to reflect on our drinking habits and make informed choices that support better health. This year's campaign, led by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in partnership with Northern Ireland's five Drug and Alcohol Connections Services and community pharmacies, encourages people to understand how much alcohol they drink and recognise that even small changes can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

For many people, alcohol is part of social occasions, celebrations or simply a way to relax at the end of a busy day. However, drinking can easily become part of our routine, making it difficult to notice when consumption begins to creep above the recommended limits. Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 encourages everyone to take a moment to review their drinking habits and consider whether small adjustments could improve their long-term health.

Alcohol Awareness Week: Why Knowing Your Units Matters

Many people are surprised to learn that almost half of all alcohol is consumed at home. Unlike drinks served in pubs or restaurants, drinks poured at home are often not measured, making it easy to underestimate the number of alcohol units being consumed. A generous glass of wine or an extra splash of spirits can quickly increase the total number of units without people realising.

Understanding alcohol units is one of the simplest ways to monitor your drinking. Checking the alcohol by volume (ABV) on labels and measuring spirits instead of free-pouring can give a much clearer picture of your weekly alcohol intake.

UK Alcohol Guidelines

Current UK guidance recommends that adults drink no more than 14 units of alcohol each week, spread over at least three days, while including several alcohol-free days.

Knowing what 14 units looks like in practice helps people make informed decisions. The number of units in a drink depends on both its strength and serving size. A pint of strong lager, a large glass of wine or a double measure of spirits can each contain more units than many people expect.

Keeping track of alcohol units doesn't mean you have to stop drinking altogether. Instead, it allows you to make informed choices and reduce the health risks associated with regular alcohol consumption.

Better Choices Can Improve Your Health

The theme for Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 is "Better Choices." The campaign highlights that improving your health doesn't always require major lifestyle changes. Small, realistic steps can make a significant difference over time.

Some practical ways to reduce your alcohol intake include:

• Measuring spirits instead of pouring by eye.

• Choosing lower-alcohol or alcohol-free drinks.

• Including several alcohol-free days each week.

• Alternating alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks.

• Planning social activities that don't centre around alcohol.

These simple changes can help reduce overall alcohol consumption while allowing people to continue enjoying time with family and friends.

The Health Risks of Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Regularly drinking above the recommended guidelines increases the risk of several serious health conditions. Alcohol is linked to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease and several types of cancer. Because alcoholic drinks can also be high in calories, excessive drinking may contribute to weight gain.

Alcohol affects more than physical health. It can disrupt sleep, reduce concentration, affect mood and worsen anxiety or depression over time. Drinking may also place strain on relationships, impact work performance and increase the risk of accidents or injuries.

As alcohol is a drug, understanding both its immediate and long-term effects helps people make informed choices about their health. Even reducing alcohol intake by a small amount can bring noticeable improvements in energy levels, sleep quality and overall wellbeing.

How Your Community Pharmacy Can Help

Your local community pharmacy is an accessible place to receive trusted health advice. At McCoubrey Chemist, our pharmacists are available to provide confidential support without the need for an appointment.

If you're unsure whether you're drinking within the recommended guidelines, we can help you understand alcohol units, discuss your drinking habits and suggest practical ways to reduce your alcohol intake. If additional support is needed, we can also signpost you to specialist local services.

Our pharmacists can also advise on how alcohol may interact with prescription medicines or worsen certain medical conditions. Some medicines become less effective when alcohol is consumed, while others can increase the likelihood of side effects. Speaking with a pharmacist can help ensure you are using your medicines safely.

Small Changes Make a Big Difference

Alcohol Awareness Week 2026 reminds us that improving our health often starts with small, achievable steps. Measuring drinks, choosing alcohol-free alternatives, reducing the number of drinking days each week and understanding alcohol units can all contribute to better physical and mental wellbeing.

If you're concerned about your own drinking, or that of someone close to you, speak to one of the pharmacists at McCoubrey Chemist. We're here to provide confidential advice, practical support and information to help you make healthier choices. Sometimes, one conversation is all it takes to begin making positive changes that can benefit your health for years to come.