How much alcohol is safe to drink if I'm diabetic?

If you are diabetic, the amount of alcohol that is considered safe to drink is exactly the same as for anyone else. The Department of Health advises that men should not regularly drink more than 3 - 4 units of alcohol per day, and women should not regularly drink more than 2 - 3 units per day.

1 unit of alcohol is the equivalent of:

• half pint beer, lager or cider,
• 50ml sherry, liqueur, vermouth or aperitif,
• a small glass of wine (approximately 100ml to 125ml depending on the strength of the wine), or
• 25ml measure of spirit (such as gin or vodka).

The number of units in a drink can vary according to strength. Following the steps below you can work out the number of units in a drink:

1. Multiply the alcohol percentage by the amount of liquid, for example 5.2% x 568 ml = 2953.6.
   
2. Then divide the answer by 1000. In this case it would be 2953.6 divided by 1000 = 2.9536.
   
3. Finally, round this number up. In our example, the number of units would be 2.95.

Avoid the risk

Alcohol acts by increasing your blood glucose levels, followed by a sudden drop. If you are diabetic, this can mean you are at risk of a hypoglycemia attack (also known as a hypo). A hypoglycemic attack occurs because your liver is trying to process the alcohol you have drunk, instead of replacing your body's natural glucose levels.

Symptoms of a hypo include seizures, headaches, loss of memory, double vision and confusion. Hypos can occur up to 16 hours after heavy drinking, and can be very dangerous, especially if you're sleeping at the time.

Other possible risks associated with drinking alcohol if you are diabetic, are hypertension (very high blood pressure) and extreme weight gain.

Play it safe

There are many ways for you to help reduce your likelihood of having a hypo. For example, try to only drink alcohol with a meal. You should never drink any amount of alcohol on an empty stomach, as the alcohol will be quickly absorbed into your blood stream.

If you know you are going to drink large amounts of alcohol, and you are not planning to eat very much, take a smaller dose of tablets or insulin to reduce your risk of a hypo. It's better to have a higher blood glucose level for a short time than to have a serious hypo.

Hypos can happen several hours after drinking alcohol - so keep an eye on your blood glucose levels throughout the night, especially before going to bed. You need to aim for a level of 3-4 millimoles per liter above your usual bedtime level. When going to bed, make sure you have a large bedtime snack that contains plenty of carbohydrates, such as porridge or toast.

On a night out always try to carry glucose with you in a drink or tablet form. Also, remember to wear some form of diabetes identification, as a hypo attack can often be mistaken for drunkenness.