DRUGS advice service FRANK has top tips for staying safe if you are planning a night out.

  • Drink water ­— having a glass of water can help rehydrate you while drinking alcohol
  • Remember to eat something if you are planning on drinking
  • Mixing different alcoholic drinks, makes it more likely you’ll have a bad reaction or lose control
  • Remember it is okay not to have a drink, many people choose not to drink alcohol
  • Taking drugs might seem like good idea after a few drinks but the risks are far higher and there is a chance you will become ill

THE guidance on drinking alcohol is that a person should not exceed 14 units a week.

FRANK advises against "saving up" units to binge drink them all in one go. The units should be spread over three or more days to limit harm to a person's health.

One unit of alcohol is about half a pint of lower-strength beer (ABV 3.6 per cent), or one shot (25ml) of spirits. A pint of stronger beer (ABV 5 per cent) can be up to three units.

n FRANK offers advice on a wide variety of drugs including alcohol. Visit its website talktofrank.com/ online for more information.