Alcohol relaxes us. It makes feel happier and less stressed out. But when the occasional glass of wine after a bad day turns into reaching for the bottle opener every night, you may have a problem...

The Department of Health recommends that men should not drink more than 3 to 4 units per day, and women not more than 2 - 3 units per day. They also recommend that after an episode of heavy drinking, you stay off the booze for at least 48 hours for allow your body to recover. So there goes the 'hair of the dog' theory.

The reason why women should drink less than men isn't just down to generally being smaller. Women's bodies have less of the enzyme which breaks down alcohol, so they absorb around a third more than men.

So those are the guidelines, but is anyone listening? Apparently not. Government figures show that around 30% of men and 15% of women regularly drink more than the recommended levels. And the Department of Health reports that one in six people attending accident and emergency departments have alcohol-related injuries or problems. That's a big strain on the NHS caused by us boozing.

But I thought a glass of wine was good for you?

We're all aware that alcohol isn't exactly a health food, but there are often claims in the press that moderate alcohol consumption has health benefits. Medically speaking, the jury is out. However the British Heart Foundation state that "Moderate drinking, that is, 1 or 2 units a day, is thought to help protect the heart from coronary heart disease in men over 40 years of age and postmenopausal women."

It does this because it helps to raise the level of protective cholesterol, although this can also be achieved through exercise.

"By reducing the stickiness of the blood, moderate amounts of alcohol may also help to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke." Good news for red wine drinkers. The British Heart Foundation believe that red wine is the most beneficial form of alcohol, and that drinking it with a meal is best.

And it's not just your blood and heart that can benefit. In 2004 researchers at the University College London found that people who even drink just one glass of wine a week have significantly sharper thought processes than those who are teetotal.

Risks of heavy drinking

Before you all rush out to the off licence, it's not all good news. The reality is that the risks of regular drinking can outweigh the benefits. People who regularly drink more than the recommended intake are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disorders such as high blood pressure.

To put it bluntly, the British Heart Foundation states that "Excessive drinking is known to have a direct effect on the heart. Binge drinking can cause abnormal heart rhythms and regular heavy drinking may lead to enlargement of the heart known as dilated cardiomyopathy. The condition is characterised by an enlarged heart and increasing breathlessness on exertion and may require specialist care and treatment."

As the liver processes alcohol in our bodies, it suffers badly from the effects of heavy drinking. The British Liver Trust states "Almost all excessive drinkers will develop the first stage of alcoholic liver disease fatty liver."

"This is a 'side-effect' of the liver breaking down alcohol into carbon dioxide and water.  Fatty liver disappears when patients stop drinking excessively. If patients continue drinking excessively then a proportion (around 20-30%) will develop the next stage of alcoholic liver disease - alcoholic hepatitis. In this condition, the liver becomes inflamed and in its extreme form, patients can die of liver failure."

Scary stuff. And it's not just the alcohol putting us at danger, it's the extra calorie intake too. One glass of wine contains around 83 calories, a pint of beer 165 and a measure of whiskey (without mixer) 51. Over the course of a week, that could add up you eating two extra days worth of food.

Top tips to help you cut down:

1. Have two or three days per week which are designated alcohol free.
2. Know what counts as a unit of alcohol.
Half a pint of (normal strength) beer or lager
125 ml (that's a very small) glass of wine
One standard pub measure of spirits (25ml)
One 25ml measure of sherry or port.
3. Most people use bigger glasses at home. Measure how much fits in yours.
4. If you drink spirits at home, use a measure so you know how much you're pouring.
5. Drink water at the same time as alcohol.
6. Experiment with soft drinks, think beyond lemonade and cola.
7. Don't start drinking alcohol if you are thirsty - quench your thirst with water or a non-alcoholic drink first
8.Choose drinks with a lower alcohol content - avoid high strength beers and alcopops.
9. Keep a drink diary - count your total units at the end of each week for a wake-up call.
10. Find social alternatives; try the cinema instead of the pub.