Alcohol
Adult Excessive Drinking
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels to 0.08 g/dL. (Grams Per Decilitre). This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men - in about 2 hours.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which conducts the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), defines bindge drinking as 5 or more alcoholic drinks for males or 4 or more alcoholic drinks for females on the same occasion on at least 1 day in the past month.
- SAMHSA defines heavy alcohol use as binge drinking on 5 or more days in the past month.
- Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use can increase an individual's risk of alcohol use disorder. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Everyone Can Contribute to the Prevention of Excessive Alcohol Use
- Choose not to drink too much and help others not to as well.
- If you choose to drink alcohol, follow the U.S. Dietary guidelines on moderate alcohol consumption, (no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men).
- Support effective community strategies to prevent excessive alcohol use.
- Do not serve alcohol to those that should not be drinking, including children, teens and adults that have already drank too much.
- Talk with your health care provider about your drinking behavior and request counseling and help if you drink too much. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Underage Drinking Prevention
Be Aware of Factors That May Increase the Risk of a Child's Alcohol Use
- Significant social transitions such as graduating to middle or high school or getting a driver's license.
- A history of social and emotional problems.
- Depression, anxiety or other serious emotional problems.
- A family history of alcoholism.
- Contact with peers involved in troubling activities and behaviors. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Be A Positive Adult Role Model
- Stay away from alcohol in high-risk situations. For example, do not operate a vehicle after drinking alcohol.
- Get help if you think you have an alcohol related problem.
- Do not give alcohol to your children.
- Communicate to your children that any alcohol in the home is off limits to them and their freinds. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Support Your Children and Give Them Space to Grow
- Be involved in your children's lives.
- Encourage your children's growing independence, but set appropriate limits.
- Find ways for your children to be involved in family life, such as caring for younger siblings and household chores.
- Make it easy for your children to share information about their lives.
- Know where your children are, and what they are doing and who they are with.
- Know your children's friends and know their parents.
- Set clear rules, including rules about alcohol use and share those rules.
- Do not allow your children to attend parties at which alcohol is served, and do not allow alcohol at parties in your own home.
- Help your children avoid dangerous situations such as riding in a car driven by someone that has been drinking alcohol.
- Help your children get professional help if you are worried about their involvement with alcohol. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
All information on this page comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)