drinking guidelines can lead to more than just putting on a bit of extra weight. Alcohol affects your circulation by expanding blood vessels. And this can cause thread veins, often on the face. If you have existing skin conditions such as Psoriasis or Rosacea, alcohol can worsen them. Alcohol and your hair Research shows that excessive alcohol consumption can even lead to increased hair loss. Alcohol and your judgement Having a drink might seem like a good way to relax at home or when you're out, but you become less inhibited and less able to make good decisions the more you drink. Alcohol and Domestic Abuse Alarmingly, alcohol is also linked to domestic abuse. Although alcohol does not cause domestic abuse it is a factor. For example, a man's use of alcohol, particularly heavy drinking, is likely to result in more serious injury to his partner than if he is sober. For more information about domestic abuse and sources of help go to www.domesticabuse.co.uk Alcohol and relationships One in three divorce petitions cite excessive drinking as a contributory factor.* Keep your relationship on track, if there are issues you want to talk about, pick a time when neither of you has been drinking. (3) Alcohol can add to your problems Drinking makes feelings of depression and anxiety worse. If you're feeling stressed and it's getting you down, just remember that alcohol can make the problem worse. Talk to a friend or visit www.stepsforstress.org and find other ways to reduce the