“It’s all in moderation,” David Seaman on why it’s important to understand how much you're drinking

We put former England goalkeeper, David Seaman’s relationship with alcohol to the test, by getting him to take our free alcohol quiz, the Drinking Check to see if his drinking matched up to his perceptions.  We also discussed his relationship with alcohol and why he believes it’s important to understand how much you are drinking. 

“I’m comfortable with my relationship with alcohol and my drinking habits. I enjoy having a glass of wine with a meal, I enjoy a few beers after a game or even at a game,” Seaman says.  

“I’d probably be a moderate drinker because I enjoy a drink, but it's all in moderation and I'm very happy with that.” 

Know your score 

Seaman explains he has never had any issues with drinking and has always drunk in moderation but admits he hasn’t checked how much he is drinking before. 

“I’m not too worried about my relationship with alcohol. I have never felt the need to stop drinking because I'm drinking too much. I've always felt I've been in control, and I know when to have a drink and when not to have a drink,” Seaman explains. 

“I'm looking forward to taking the Drinking Check. Let's see where it takes us. You know, who knows? I might be surprised." 

So, how did his drinking add up? 

“So, it’s saying I’m on the right track, lower risk,” he shares. 

“If I’m honest I’m quietly surprised and happy with the results because you never know until you do something like this. Obviously, it doesn’t take into account when you go to a wedding or parties, because then you have a couple more, but on average it’s low risk.” 

Why it’s important to understand your drinking 

For Seaman, it was during his time as a player, seeing friends struggle with alcohol, that he began to realise “how much you can and can't drink,” and often found himself looking after teammates who drank too much. He believes it’s important to know how much you’re drinking and understand any risks or implications for your health. 

"It’s important to understand what you are consuming and what you’re putting in your body. What's a risky level, what's a dangerous level,” he says.    

“Knowing what a unit is, too, because that will shock quite a few people. I've only just found out what a unit is. I thought a unit was a pint, but apparently it’s actually half a pint (depending on strength),” he admits.   

Check your drinking  

Seaman is now backing Drinkaware’s campaign encouraging people to better understand and have more conversations about their drinking by taking the Drinking Check - a free online alcohol quiz.    

“The Drinking Check is easy, and it takes literally less than three minutes. Now I’ve got a gauge of where I’m at, I know what I’m doing and I know what I’m putting into my body,” Seaman says. 

“I get regular health checkups, and this is another addition to that. It’s a regular checkup that I will be doing, especially at my age. But even if you’re younger you need to know what levels of alcohol you’re putting into your body,” he explains. 

“I totally recommend the Drinking Check because it lets you know where you’re at with alcohol and this could help you in the future. It’s guidance and if you start getting a little bit higher, as long as you’re truthful with yourself then you can get the right results. It could even help your friends as well.” 

“So, what are you waiting for? Take the Drinking Check,” he adds.