How much alcohol is too much?

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Alcohol is a big part of Australian life. While most adults drink socially and responsibly for enjoyment and relaxation, with few adverse events, a significant number of people are putting their health at risk, either through binge drinking or chronic over-consumption.  The harmful effects of alcohol refer to both the immediate risks of binge drinking and the cumulative effects of regular, long-term drinking. The effects of alcohol are influenced by the pattern of drinking and by factors such as weight, amount of fat or muscle, gender, and age.

Alcohol is second only to tobacco as a preventable cause of drug-related death and hospitalisation.  As the average volume of alcohol consumption increases, the lifetime risk of death from alcohol-related disease increases. For both sexes, the lifetime risk of death from alcohol-related disease more than triples when consumption increases from two to three standard drinks a day. Long term complications include alcohol dependency, liver damage, stomach complaints, memory problems, numerous cancers, heart disease, and mental health problems including family and relationship problems, and legal and financial difficulties.

With regard to binge drinking, alcohol accounts for 13 per cent of all deaths among 14–17-year-old Australians – it has been estimated that one Australian teenager dies and more than 60 are hospitalised each week from alcohol-related causes.

While most people are familiar with the term "standard drink" the definition of a standard drink is often drastically underestimated.  Check here for a handy chart showing the international units for many well-known alcoholic beverages. 

The Australian alcohol guidelines aim to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol.  The following two guidelines provide advice on levels of drinking:

  • GUIDELINE 1: REDUCING THE RISK OF ALCOHOL-RELATED HARM OVER A LIFETIME -  For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury.
  • GUIDELINE 2: REDUCING THE RISK OF INJURY ON A SINGLE OCCASION OF DRINKING - For healthy men and women, drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.

How much you drink is your choice, and it is possible to drink at a level which is less risky, while still having fun. Use the following tips to help you make informed choices and help keep your risk of alcohol-related accidents, injuries, diseases and death, low - both in the short and long term.

  • Set limits for yourself and stick to them
  • Start with non-alcoholic drinks and alternate with alcoholic drinks
  • Drink slowly
  • Keep an eye on your drink. Don't leave your drink unattended.
  • Try drinks with a lower alcohol content
  • Eat before or while you are drinking
  • If you participate in rounds of drinks try to include some non-alcoholic drinks
  • Plan safe transport home

For more information on safe alcohol consumption, including teenage drinking, or if you are concerned about your level of drinking, or that of a family member, you will find an extensive list of resources here.