Q: How does alcohol use affect an individual’s health?
See the article: What are the health consequences of excessive alcohol use?
Q: How much drinking is recommended?
Because of the health risks associated with alcohol use, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services generally discourages individuals from drinking alcohol altogether (HHS, 2020). If alcohol is consumed, it recommends drinking in moderation. It defines moderate drinking as:
- For men: Up to 2 drinks per day
- For women: Up to 1 drink per day
Moderate drinking may still be dangerous for some individuals, however. It’s safest to avoid alcohol altogether when an individual is:
- Underage (and their brain is still developing)
- Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- Taking medications that interact with alcohol
- Managing a medical condition that can worsen with drinking
- Planning to drive a vehicle or operate machinery
- Participating in activities that require skill, coordination, and alertness
- Recovering from alcohol use disorder or unable to control the amount they drink.
Q: How much is too much drinking?
Excessive alcohol use includes: (a) heavy drinking, and (b) binge drinking.
Heavy drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines “at risk” or “heavy” drinking as (NIAAA, 2020):
- For men: More than 4 drinks per day, or more than 14 drinks per week
- For women: More than 3 drinks per day, or more than 7 drinks per week
Binge drinking. According to the Center for Disease Control, binge drinking is defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood alcohol concentration level to 0.08% or more (CDC, 2020). This pattern of drinking usually corresponds to:
- For men: 5+ drinks on a single occasion, generally within about 2 hours
- For women: 4+ drinks on a single occasion for women, generally within about 2 hours
Q: What is alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, alcohol dependency, and alcoholism?
Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work. Manifestations of alcohol abuse include the following:
- Failure to fulfill major responsibilities at work, school, or home.
- Drinking in dangerous situations, such as drinking while driving or operating machinery.
- Legal problems related to alcohol, such as being arrested for drinking while driving or for physically hurting someone while drunk.
- Continued drinking despite ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by drinking.
- Long-term alcohol abuse can turn into alcohol dependence.
Dependency on alcohol, also known as alcohol addiction or alcoholism, is a chronic disease. The signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence include:
- A strong craving for alcohol.
- Continued use despite repeated physical, psychological, or interpersonal problems.
- The inability to limit drinking.
Q: What is a standard drink in the United States?
According to the Center for Disease Control, a standard drink is equal to 14.0 grams or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol (CDC, 2020). Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in:
- 12-ounces of beer (5% alcohol content)
- 8-ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content)
- 5-ounces of wine (12% alcohol content)
- 1.5-ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey)