GP reveals how many drinks it takes to get a hangover - and when you're at risk

A GP has revealed exactly how many drinks a person needs to consume to experience a hangover the next day, warning that taking it too far can result in poisoning. According to the expert, it doesn’t take long for alcohol to impair the nervous system and brain.

Drinking alcohol is a regular part of life for many Brits. A poll conducted by YouGov shows that around 82 per cent of people in the UK say they drink.

Findings from 2022 showed that six per cent of British adults above have an alcoholic drink every day, while another four per cent drink five or six days a week.

One in seven (14 per cent) drink on three or four days out of the week, 23 per cent drink alcohol on one or two days, while one in three (33 per cent) say they have alcohol less often (but do still drink). While we are all aware that drinking has a negative impact on our health, it remains a popular habit.

Ahead of Alcohol Awareness Week on July 7, a doctor shared more about the immediate impact it actually has on the body. Doctor Bhavini Shah, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, explained the different stages of drinking.

“One or two units of alcohol increases the heart rate, expands blood vessels, and gives a slight ‘buzz’ which commonly makes people feel more sociable or talkative,” she said. One unit equals 10ml or eight grams of pure alcohol, which is around the amount of alcohol the average adult can process in an hour.

The number of units in a drink is based on the size of the drink, as well as its alcohol strength. For example, the NHS states that a pint of strong lager contains three units of alcohol, whereas the same volume of lower-strength lager has just over two units.

Dr Shah continued: “After four to six units, alcohol begins to impact your nervous system, decreasing reaction time and affecting areas of the brain associated with decision making, resulting in poorer judgement and potentially more reckless behaviour.” At around eight units is where the average person can expect a hangover.

This is equal to around four pints of low-strength cider or beer (3.6 per cent) or four standard glasses of wine (175ml). “After eight units, your vision and sleep will be affected and you will have consumed more alcohol than your liver can process in one night, resulting in a hangover,” Dr Shah said.

“And after ten units, your coordination will be highly impaired and you can expect symptoms of nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, as well as dehydration and headaches.”

However, drinking eight or more units of alcohol is considered “binge drinking” for the average man, while six or more is considered a binge for women. The NHS states that adults should not be drinking more than 14 units a week on a regular basis.

It advises: “Spread your drinking over three or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week.” Dr Shah added that, “after 12 units, you are at great risk of alcohol poisoning.”

How to get rid of alcohol in your system

Dr Shah said: “Your body will metabolise alcohol at its own rate and there is not much evidence that you can speed up this natural process. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the symptoms of your hangover.

“Going to sleep is a good way to let your body naturally remove alcohol from your system by itself. Drinking water is also essential as it will prevent the dehydrating effects of the alcohol and reduce the impact of headaches.

“You should also try to eat bland foods as these will increase your blood sugar without upsetting your stomach.” For advice on cutting back on alcohol, visit the NHS website here.