Alcohol

Blood cannot be donated if you are under the influence of alcohol (drunk or hung-over). There must not be alcohol in the blood when you donate; the alcohol will be present in the blood product and can be harmful for the patient.

Excessive use of alcohol and alcoholism damage the liver and cause extensive adverse changes in the body. This is why they prevent blood donation. Also, blood cannot be donated if the prospective donor is undergoing a programme of alcohol detoxification or immediately after it.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).