Might Alcohol be a Problem?

Updated: Jan 20

MODERATE Drinker:

Male - consume 2 or less standard drinks per day

Female - consume 1 standard drink per day

1% chance of developing a Severe Unhelpful Addictive Behaviour with the associated physical, emotional and personal losses

BINGE Drinker:

Male - consume 5 or more standard drinks per day

Female - consume 4 or more standard drinks per day

20% chance of developing a Severe Unhelpful Addictive Behaviour with the associated physical, emotional and personal losses

HEAVY Drinker:

Male - consume 15 or more standard drinks per WEEK

Female - consume 8 or more standard drinks per WEEK

20% chance of developing a Severe Unhelpful Addictive Behaviour with the associated physical, emotional and personal losses

If BOTH a HEAVY and a BINGE drinker then a 50% chance of developing a Severe Unhelpful Addictive Behaviour with the associated physical, emotional and personal losses

Standard Drink:

· 100ml small glass of wine (12% alcohol)

· 100ml glass of champagne (12% alcohol)

· 150ml glass of light wine (8% alcohol)

· 285ml bottle of alcopop e.g. Breezer, Cruiser (5% alcohol)

· 375ml can of mid-strength beer (3.5% alcohol)

· 425ml glass (schooner) of light beer (2.7% alcohol)

· 275ml glass (middie or half-pint) of full-strength beer (5% alcohol)

· 60ml sherry, port or fortified wine (20% alcohol)

· 30ml shot/nip of spirits (vodka, rum, tequila) (40% alcohol)

Regardless of the level of drinking, using or acting out, a helpful question might be:

“In what way is this costing me more than money – costing me something that I would have said I value?”