Appendix E

Drinking Guidelines

A Drink Defined

Note: People buy many of these drinks in containers that hold multiple standard drinks. For example, malt liquor is often sold in 16-, 22-, or 40 oz. containers that hold between two and five standard drinks, and table wine is typically sold in 25 oz. (750 ml.) bottles that hold five standard drinks.

2005 USDA Guidelines on Alcoholic Beverages

• Those who choose to drink alcoholic beverages should do so sensibly and in moderation—defined as the consumption of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
• Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed by some people, including those who cannot restrict their alcohol intake, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents, individuals taking medications that can interact with alcohol, and those with specific medical conditions.
• Alcoholic beverages should be avoided by individuals engaging in activities that require attention, skill, or coordination, such as driving or operating machinery.

NIAAA Guidelines for maximum drinking limits

For healthy men up to age 65—

• no more than 4 drinks in a day AND
• no more than 14 drinks in a week

For healthy women (and healthy men over age 65)—

• no more than 3 drinks in a day AND
• no more than 7 drinks in a week

National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician’s Guide NIH Pub. No, 05-3769. Rockville, MD: 2005.

NIAAA Guidelines for Moderate Drinking

For most adults, moderate alcohol use--up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people--causes few if any problems.

However certain people should not drink at all:

• Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant;
• People who plan to drive or engage in other activities that require alertness and skill;
• People taking certain over-the-counter or prescription medications;
• People with medical conditions that can be made worse by drinking;
• Recovering alcoholics; and
• People younger than 21.

Updated: March 2003 http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/FAQs13.htm (See also “Publications” Alcohol Alert No. 16: Moderate Drinking; Alcohol Alert No. 27: Alcohol-Medication Interactions; and Alcohol Alert No. 52: Alcohol and Transportation Safety)

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