Approximately 58 million EU adults (15%, about the same number as the population
of the UK) ‘drink too much’, generally defined as more than 40 g of pure
alcohol (more than four drinks) for men and more than 20 g (more than two drinks)
for women (Babor et al. 2003). Of this number, 36 million people are heavy drinkers
and 22 million alcohol-dependent drinkers (5% of men, 1% of women). Heavy and
alcohol-dependent drinking is particularly prevalent (more than 20% of drinkers) in
Austria, France, Ireland and Slovenia (Table 3).18 No doubt most EU-10 member
states would be added to this list if reliable information were available