All alcohol is created equal. 1 1/2 oz liquor = 5 oz wine = 12 oz regular beer
Binge drinking is considered as having five or more standard drinks (above) at a given time. According to the Ontario Health Survey (1990) which used 10 drinks on an occasion as the measure, Grey-Bruce was found to be well above the provincial average particularly for teens. There is clearly role modelling by adults when you look at the drinking patterns for young and middle aged adults.
There are general guidelines which suggest maximum amounts of alcohol for men and women to remain at low risk of developing alcohol related problems. These are based on research from many alcohol related illnesses, injuries and social problems.
Some people should not use alcohol or should limit how much they drink. They include:
Men have more muscle content and water on the average than women. This means men tend to be able to break down alcohol more quickly. It is recommended that men not drink more than two standard drinks and women one to two standard drinks a day. There should be at least one alcohol free day per week. Drinking less alcohol is better. Alcohol can affect unborn babies and pass through the breast milk.
Alcohol is no ordinary commodity. According to the Global Burden of Disease study sponsored b y the world Health Organization, school was listed as the third most detrimental risk factor for chronic disease in developed countries, with only tobacco and high blood pressure causing more ham (WHO, 2003)
What about the studies proclaiming the health benefits of alcohol? While a moderate intake of alcohol (one to two standard drinks a day) may help protect against heart disease and stroke, drinking more than two drinks a day can actually increase the risk of stroke and other chronic disease including some cancers. In fact, "Individuals who consume more than one drink per day have a 1.4 times greater risk for breast cancer or colorectal cancer than non-drinkers" (Cancer Care Ontario, 2001).
For healthy adults who choose to drink, reducing their intake to daily and weekly limits will help reduce the risk for chronic disease as well as other alcohol-related problems.
Is there such a thing as being a little bit alcoholic? When does a pastime become a problem? How much is too much? What is your greatest fear – alcoholism or problem drinking? If it’s alcoholism, it’s safe to say that less than 2 standard drinks on any given day (for instance, a 5-ounce glass of wine or 12oz. of beer) will keep most adults out of the danger zone. More than that, can definitely cause problems.
People metabolize alcohol differently. Some people can have two glasses of wine a night and not seem to suffer any consequences. For others, the same amount can push them past their limit. Many factors can lead to alcohol abuse including your family history of drinking problems, your own psychological history, and your friends’ drinking habits. Signs of problem drinking, even if you drink infrequently, are making inappropriate comments, violent outbursts, unwise sexual behaviour, driving dangerously, blacking out or waking up sick.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has developed Low-Risk drinking guidelines for people of legal drinking age. They are intended to help people make an informed decision about, the amount of alcohol they consume.
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Zero drinks = lowest risk of an alcohol related problem |
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No more than 2 standard drinks on any one day |
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Women: up to 9 standard drinks a week |
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Men: up to 14 standard drinks a week |
Higher alcohol beers and coolers have more alcohol than one standard drink.
Many people drink to be sociable or because of friends. These were the most frequently cited reasons from a local community needs assessment done by the FOCUS Coalition in 1999.
Every culture has its means of achieving altered states of consciousness. Drinking seems to be ours, but it certainly doesn’t qualify as the healthiest pastime. It all comes down to that old saying “Everything in moderation.”
Alcohol: A Modifiable risk Factor for Chronic Diseases
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Information
CAMH: Personalised Alcohol Feedback Form
