What is “low-risk” drinking?
Guidelines
Guidelines from National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism define low-risk drinking in the following way:
- Healthy men under 65:
- No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
- Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:
- No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.
One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.
Abstinence from alcohol
Abstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.
Benefits of “low-risk” drinking
Following these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work.
To learn more about “low-risk” vs “at-risk” drinking, visit Rethinking Drinking and read the next article in this series, What is “at-risk” drinking?.
