Not all people who drink are dependent. Dependent people find it very difficult to stop or reduce drinking. This is because of withdrawal. This includes drinking alcohol while using medicines from the chemist or doctor. One drug can make the negative effects of the other even worse.
Alcohol can also stop medicines from working properly.
Doctors do not think that pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant should drink alcohol at all. Each is one standard drink. This can be very dangerous as it makes the harms from alcohol worse. Also, because drinking a lot can stop you thinking clearly and acting sensibly, you may put yourself in danger from other things. The gives a number, such as .05.