How Many Drinks is 'Safe'? The Answer Will Surprise You

The holidays are a time of year when people tend to over-indulge, especially when it comes to drinking. If you plan to make alcohol part of your holiday celebration, here's how to do so safely and responsibly. 

What is safe and responsible drinking?

You will get very different answers to that question depending on who you ask. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a moderate level of alcohol consumption for healthy adult males is no more than two drinks in any one day. 

For healthy adult females, it is one drink per day. A healthy adult can only metabolize about five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor or 12 ounces of beer per hour. For specialty drinks such as “craft beers,” that volume may be even lower due to higher alcohol contents. Combined with certain over-the-counter or prescription medications, the effects of alcohol can be more pronounced and dangerous.

One irrefutable fact is that no one should drink and drive. Alcohol is a killer during the holidays: it's responsible for more than half of all deadly auto accidents during the season. It claims more than 1,200 lives and injures more than 25,000 people each year.

Make sure to have a designated driver and be prepared not to drive by either surrendering your keys when you arrive or not driving at all.

Time for a change?

While the consumption of five or more drinks on any one occasion is considered to be a binge, repetitive binging may be a sign of a bigger issue. The NIH reports that the incidence of alcoholism rises substantially among men who consume more than four drinks per day or fourteen drinks per week and among women who consume more than three drinks per day or seven drinks per week.

At the Advocate Addiction Treatment Program, we assess individuals to help them determine if some sort of program or intervention is needed. Clients who have engaged in risky use of alcohol but do not have a pattern of abuse or dependence may be referred to low intensity therapy, involving five counseling sessions over a period of five weeks.

Others may be recommended for intensive outpatient treatment or medical detoxification. We also encourage patients to join an Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous group when they have passed the point where they can reliably moderate their drinking.

Often, alcohol abusers justify their behavior by arguing that “everyone drinks the way I do.”  But the reality is that seven of 10 adults in the United States consistently drink at low-risk levels or do not drink at all. 

When counseling patients, we encourage them to look at the consequences. For some the negative consequences may be obvious.  But for many it is not the bad things that happen, but rather the good things that do not happen when they drink, such as meaningful conversations, healthy activities and loving, trusting relationships.

If you are contemplating whether you or someone you love has an addiction issue, I recommend a no-risk on line screening tool that can be found at www.alcoholscreening.org. To discuss your concern with a substance abuse specialist you can call the Advocate Addiction Treatment Program at at 847-795-3100.  There is no fee charged for the consultation. 

This holiday season can be just as joyous without drinking. It may even be the most meaningful season yet.