AN alcohol awareness charity has found people drinking at home are consuming way more than they realise – often in excess of current low-risk guidelines.

As part of national Alcohol Awareness Week, staff and volunteers from Dumbarton Area Council on Alcohol (DACA) spoke to more than 300 people at community venues.

DACA staff said they were “surprised” to find out so many people consumed alcohol at home – without realising the size of the measures they were having – or what effect this could have on their health and wellbeing.

Mags Mackenzie, DACA chief executive, said: “We used a typical household wine glass and tumbler and asked people to demonstrate their usual home-poured measure. Inevitably they’d pour much more than a standard pub measure, and then were aghast to find out exactly how many units are in their at-home tipple.

Read more: Alcohol charity DACA launch new service in West Dunbartonshire

“A total of 73 per cent of alcohol in Scotland is bought off-trade – at supermarkets and off-sales – and it’s being drunk in homes all across our community. The upcoming holiday period is an especially boozy time for many of us.

"People often think they’re being good hosts when they pour their guests a generous glass of wine or a G&T in a tall glass with 50 per cent gin.

"In actual fact, they’re serving up a host of potential health problems to their friends and family. This is one of those occasions where less is better.”

DACA's was supported by the NHS, Clyde Shopping Centre, Clyde Shopmobility, Clydebank Health Centre and Clydebank Leisure Centre.

They said there are no laws to compel drinks manufacturers to put health warnings, so it can confusing to consumers and mask the risk of more than 60 different health conditions.

Ms Mackenzie added: "We spoke to a few folk who thought it wasn’t a problem to have a drink every day. In fact some thought a glass of red wine or a hot toddy before bed was actually good for their health."