ABSTRACT
Men have been drinking fermented and distilled beverages as a source of clean water, nourishment, remedy, refreshment and intoxication for thousands of years. Whisky likely developed in Scotland and Ireland , both of which lay claim to its origin, between 1100 and 1400 AD with Christian monks bringing knowledge of distillation from pilgrimages across Europe. Today alcohol is still men's favourite drug and they continue to drink alcohol to excess as they have always done. Particular times and occasions are more associated with drinking than others, e.g. weekends, weddings, funerals and public holidays, and there is often a spike in alcohol-related consequences surrounding these events. Heavy single occasion drinking is associated with intoxication, lowered inhibitions, poisonings, accidents and violence, while long-term heavy drinking is associated with conditions and diseases such as dependence, cancer and liver cirrhosis. Current low-risk drinking guidelines for men in the UK are to not exceed 14 units of alcohol on a regular basis.
