Many people are aware of the harm that alcoholism can cause. However, the levels of safe drinking, moderate drinking, and excessive drinking can be hard to differentiate. There are many dangers involved with excessive consumption of alcohol, but how do you know when you have reached that point?
You may know people who live healthy lives and enjoy a drink every once in a while. You may know others who cannot go a day without consuming a full pack of beers. The line between safe drinking and excessive drinking can be hard to determine and may vary slightly between individuals. However, there are statistics that can help you observe your drinking habits and see if you are drinking safely.
If you find yourself consistently engaging in excessive drinking, we recommend reviewing the signs of alcohol addiction to ensure you are not becoming addicted to it. Being able to recognize addiction and observe the amount of alcohol you are consuming can help you avoid addiction altogether.
How Much Is One Drink?
Determining what is considered to be one drink can be a challenge. The same number of fluid ounces of wine, beer, liquor, or a mixed drink will not each produce the same effects. For example, if you were to drink one eight-ounce cup full of beer, it may not seem like a lot to drink. However, if you drink an eight-ounce cup full of liquor, you will reach a high level of intoxication. The percentage of alcohol within each type of alcoholic beverage is different, and you should make sure you are aware of the percentage in your drink before consuming it.
To understand what is considered to be one serving of alcohol, or one drink, observe the following suggestions to avoid over-consumption:
- One serving of beer (five percent alcohol) is approximately 12 ounces
- One serving of wine (12% alcohol) is approximately five ounces
- One serving of liquor (40% alcohol) is approximately one and a half ounces
As you can see, the lower the percentage of alcohol, the more fluid ounces can be used to fulfill one serving size. Being aware of this amount and the potential effects of excessive drinking can help you ensure that you are engaging in healthy drinking practices.
What Is Considered Safe Drinking?
The levels of safe drinking can differ depending on your situation. Avoiding the consumption of alcohol altogether is always considered an act of safe drinking. One drink for a female and two drinks for a male is the maximum number of drinks that can be consumed per day and still fall into the category of safe drinking. Safe drinking also includes ensuring you are not driving any motorized vehicle after the consumption of any amount of alcohol.
If you are working through the process of recovery or have previously struggled with an addiction to alcohol, the levels of safe drinking are drastically lowered, and it is highly recommended that you avoid drinking completely. Similarly, if you are prone to addiction or feel that the consumption of alcohol is becoming problematic, avoiding consumption altogether is recommended.
What Is Considered Moderate Drinking?
Moderate drinking is similar to safe drinking and has approximately the same consumption specifications. Moderate drinking involves a safe amount of alcohol being consumed but for multiple days a week.
This level of drinking can easily become excessive drinking if not carefully maintained. Ensuring you are not developing habits that lead to excessive drinking and consciously making sure your level of drinking is safe or, at most, moderate can lower your chance of developing an addiction.
What Is Considered Excessive Drinking?
Drinking any amount while you are underage or pregnant is considered to be excessive drinking. Underage drinking has many negative effects on the way your brain develops and should be avoided until you are the legal age or older. Drinking while pregnant is extremely dangerous for the health of the baby and can cause severe complications.
For other adults, excessive drinking is considered to be having five or more drinks for a man or four or more drinks for a woman in one night. This statistic typically refers to consuming this amount of drinks or more within two to three hours. Looking at the amount of alcohol consumed over a given week, fifteen drinks a week or more for males and eight drinks or more for women is considered to be excessive drinking.
Refraining from excessive drinking is highly encouraged, as this level of drinking likely will lead to addiction. Drinking moderately still requires a great deal of mindfulness to ensure you are not becoming dependent upon alcohol for certain situations. Working toward safe drinking or no drinking at all can help you avoid becoming dependent on alcohol.
Understanding the different levels of alcohol consumption, as well as the serving size of different alcoholic beverages, can help you ensure that you are drinking a safe amount. When first drinking especially, understanding the serving sizes is crucial to avoid drinking more than your body can handle. Reviewing the different serving sizes between beer, wine, and liquor can help you see how much consumption is a safe or moderate amount. Not reaching a level of excessive drinking can help you prevent future health problems and potential addiction. Avoiding the consumption of alcohol completely is essential if you are under the legal drinking age, pregnant, or prone to substance abuse. One sip of alcohol is considered to be excessive in these situations. To learn more about the different levels of alcohol consumption and excessive drinking, reach out to Dream Recovery today at (949) 732-1960.
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