Alcoholism - Introduction

Moderate Drinking. Moderate drinking, particularly red wine, appears to offer health benefits. Moderate drinking is defined as equal to or less than two drinks a day for men and equal to or less than one drink a day for women.

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Hazardous (Heavy) Drinking. Hazardous drinking puts people at risk for adverse health events. People who are heavy drinkers consume the following:

More than 14 drinks per week, or4 to5 drinks at one sitting, for men
More than seven drinks per week, or three drinks at one sitting, for women
Frequent intoxication

Harmful Drinking. Drinking is considered harmful when alcohol consumption has actually caused physical or psychologic harm. This is determined by the following:

There is clear evidence that alcohol is responsible for such harm.
The nature of that harm can be identified.
Alcohol consumption has persisted for at least a month or has occurred repeatedly for the past year.

Certain people are at much higher risk for harmful drinking, such as older individuals with high blood pressure or those taking medications for arthritis or pain.

Alcohol Abuse. People with alcohol abuse have one or more of the following alcohol-related problems over a period of one year:

Failure to fulfill work or personal obligations
Recurrent use in potentially dangerous situations
Problems with the law
Continued use in spite of harm being done to social or personal relationships

In a 2001 study, 55% patients continued to meet these criteria after5 years, but only 3.5% developed dependency, the next stage.

Alcohol Dependence. People who are alcohol dependent have three or more of the following alcohol-related problems overa year:

Increased amounts of alcohol are needed to produce an effect
Withdrawal symptoms or drinking alcohol is used to avoid these symptoms
Drinks more over a given period than intended
Unsuccessful attempts to quit or cut down
Gives upsignificant leisure or work activities
Continues to drink in spite of the knowledge of its physical or psychological harm to oneself or others

In one long-term study, two-thirds of those with alcohol dependence continued to be dependent on alcohol after 5 years.