Alcohol Abuse: How to Recognize Problem Drinking

What is considered a "drink"?

One drink is one 12-ounce bottle of beer (4.5 percent alcohol), or one 5-ounce glass of wine (12.9 percent alcohol), or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirit, like whiskey or gin.

How much alcohol is too much?

You are drinking too much if you are:

• A woman who has more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks per occasion.
• A man who has more than 14 drinks per week or more than four drinks per occasion.
• Older than 65 years and having more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks per occasion.

Am I taking risks with alcohol?

You are taking serious risks with alcohol if you:

• Drink any amount of alcohol and drive or operate machinery.
• Mix alcohol with medicine (over-the-counter or prescription medicines).
• Drink regularly without telling your doctor, surgeon, or pharmacist that you are a regular drinker.
• Drink at all while you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant. Even small amounts of alcohol may hurt an unborn child.
• Drink alcohol while you are taking care of small children.

Has my drinking become a habit?

You should be worried about this if you regularly use alcohol to:

• Relax, relieve anxiety, or go to sleep.
• Be more comfortable in social situations.
• Avoid thinking about sad or unpleasant things.
• Socialize with other regular drinkers.

Has drinking alcohol become a problem for me?

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
• Do you feel annoyed when people make comments to you about your drinking?
• Do you feel guilty about your drinking?
• Do you ever need a drink in the morning to get yourself going or to get rid of a hangover?

If you answer "yes" to just one of these questions you may have a problem. If you answer "yes" to more than one of these questions, it is highly likely that you have a drinking problem.

Other signs that your drinking has become a problem include:

• Worrying about having enough alcohol to last through an evening or a weekend.
• Hiding alcohol or buying it at different stores so no one will know how much you are drinking.
• Switching from one kind of drink to another to keep from drinking too much or getting drunk.
• Trying to get "extra" drinks at a social event or sneaking drinks when others are not looking.
• Failing to do what you should at work or at home because of drinking.
• Not being able to remember what happened while you were drinking.
• Not being able to stop drinking once you start.
• Hurting someone else as a result of your drinking.