Moderate drinking
Men:7 drinks/wk or >3 drinks/occasion
Heavy Drinking
Men: > 5-6 drinks/day
Women: >3-4 drinks/day
Elderly: >3 drinks/day
Alcohol Abuse
Maladaptive pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress manifested within a 12 month period by >1 of:
Failure to fulfill role obligations i.e. work, school
Recurrent use in hazardous situations
Legal problems related to alcohol
Continued use despite problems
Alcohol Dependence
As alcohol abuse, but >3 of:
Tolerance to alcohol
Withdrawal symptoms
Use of larger amounts over a longer period of time
Persistent desire to drink, unsuccessful at cutting down
A lot of time devoted to obtaining and using
Gives up social, occupational, recreational activities
Use despite knowledge of dangers and problems
Abstainer
Non-drinker
One standard drink (15g alcohol)
5 oz wine (10%)
12 oz regular beer (4%)
1.5 oz 80 proof distilled spirits
Examples of Non-Standard drinks
12 oz low alcohol beer = 0.6 drink
1.25 oz of 151 proof rum = 2 drinks
12.5 oz bottle of 20% fortified wine = 5 drinks
Proof
Strength of an alcoholic beverage
In US, a beverage of 50% alcohol is "100" proof etc. UK potency is higher i.e. 100 proof US = 87.6 UK