- March 15, 2000 - American Academy of Family Physicians

Please note: This information was as current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education Web site.

Is Alcohol a Problem for You?

What is a sensible drinking limit?

If you don't have a drinking problem, it's probably safe for you to drink a limited amount of alcohol without affecting your health. A sensible drinking limit for people who don't have a problem with alcohol is:

For men, no more than two drinks per day

For women, no more than one drink per day

For people more than 65 years of age, no more than one drink per day

Experts define "one drink" this way:

One 12-ounce can of beer or bottle of wine cooler

One 5-ounce glass of wine

One jigger (shot) of hard liquor (1.5 ounces)

Each of these drinks has about the same amount of pure alcohol in it.

Is alcohol causing a problem in my life?

Have your family or friends ever complained about your drinking?

Have you been late to or absent from work because of hangovers?

Have you ever driven after drinking?

Have you had trouble with the law after drinking?

Have you gotten into a fight after drinking?

Do you drink even when you don't feel well?

Has your doctor told you that you have health problems related to drinking?

Have you ever tried to quit drinking?

Have you ever had a blackout while drinking?

Do you sometimes have a drink in the morning to stop your hands from trembling or to ease a hangover?

Do you end up drinking more than you meant to drink?

Have you stopped doing things you used to do because you would rather drink?

Do you drink more than you used to drink?

If you said yes to any of these questions, drinking may be a problem for you. If you have any problems with alcohol, ask your doctor how much alcohol is safe for you.

This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.

Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics.

Copyright © 2000 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for nonprofit educational uses. Written permission is required for all other uses, including electronic uses.

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