FAQs

 

What is excessive drinking?

Excessive drinking is a pattern of alcohol use that can lead to chronic, long-term health problems like cancer, heart disease, depression, and alcohol use disorder (AUD). It can also have immediate impacts such as injuries, car crashes, and poisonings. It is a leading cause of preventable death in Oregon and nationally.  

Excessive drinking will mean something different for each person, depending on physical and other factors. The CDC* offers two ways to think about it: binge drinking and heavy drinking. Any alcohol use during pregnancy or by people under age 21 is also included in the CDC’s definition of excessive drinking. Learn more about these definitions on the CDC's website or check out this fact sheet.

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What is binge drinking?

You’re binge drinking when you consume 4 to 5 drinks or more on a single occasion — at a party or restaurant, or at home on your couch. For a man, binge drinking is having five or more standard drinks on one occasion. For a woman, it’s four or more drinks on one occasion. Find out more about binge drinking here.

What is heavy drinking?

Heavy drinking is when you drink, on average, more than 1-2 drinks every night over the course of a week. For a man, heavy drinking is 15 or more drinks per week. For a woman, it’s eight or more drinks per week. Find out more about heavy drinking.

Why can men drink more before they are considered to be drinking excessively?

The CDC numbers are different for men and women because male and female bodies process alcohol differently. You can read more about that here. However, it’s important to point out that the CDC numbers refer to cisgender males and females. “Cisgender” means that the gender you identify with matches the sex assigned to you at birth. When it comes to gender nonconforming individuals, more research is needed to assess the impact of excessive drinking. No matter who you are or how you identify, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more. See if you fit the definitions of binge or heavy drinking.

Why do we have these definitions?

These definitions are based on research that shows that people who drink at or above these levels are at increased risk for long-term health problems, like heart disease, stroke and liver disease. But because alcohol is a carcinogen (a substance known to cause cancer), lower levels of drinking can also be harmful even if you don’t feel drunk. As the drinks add up, the risk for long-term damage adds up, too.

What is a standard drink?

Different types of beer, wine, and liquor can have very different amounts of alcohol content.

For the purposes of defining excessive drinking, a standard drink is:

  • 12 fl oz. beer (5% ABV)

  • 5 fl oz. wine (12% ABV)

  • 1.5 fl oz. liquor/hard alcohol (40% ABV)

Can my beer, glass of wine or mixed drink count as more than one standard drink?

Yes, and it happens a lot. One alcoholic beverage often contains more than one standard drink, depending on its alcohol by volume (ABV) or the container size it’s served in. For example, a mixed drink like a margarita that has no or only a small amount of non-alcoholic “mixer;” higher-alcohol beers such as double and triple IPAs; tallboy (16 oz.) beers; or beers served in tall concession-style cups at sports events and concerts — all of these would count as more than one standard drink. Learn more here.

What is ABV?

ABV means alcohol by volume. Percentages shown above are the average ABV for those types of drinks. Certain beers, wines and liquor have higher than average ABVs, which means one serving of them would count as more than one drink.

Am I drinking too much?

It’s easy to cross the line into higher-risk drinking without realizing it, partly because society makes it easy for us to drink this way. And “drinking too much” will mean different things to each of us, depending on physical and other factors such as age, medication you take, pregnancy or gender. For some people, drinking any alcohol is too much. In general, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women.

You can find more information here to help make a plan and track your drinking, and if you need it, to get support or find help. It’s important to remember that drinking less can lower your risk for developing long-term health problems like cancer, heart disease, depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD).  

How many drinks per day is too much?

To reduce the risks to your health, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend not drinking at all or limiting yourself to two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women. The guidelines also say that people who don’t drink alcohol should not start drinking. In general, for adults of legal drinking age, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more. If you’re not sure how much you’re drinking, use your phone to track it: Search “drink less” on your apps platform to find an app that works for you. You can find more information here to help make a plan if you decide you want to cut back.

Can you drink a lot and not be an alcoholic?

Drinking “a lot” means something different to each of us. So does “alcoholic.” People typically use “alcoholic” to refer to many types of drinking behaviors. While the word is still common in everyday conversation, it is not used by most health providers.  

Health professionals use specific criteria to assess whether a person has a health condition called alcohol use disorder (AUD). A person with AUD has some level and pattern of uncontrolled and problematic drinking. You can drink excessively and not have an AUD. In fact, most people who drink excessively don’t have an AUD. However, people who drink excessively are at greater risk of developing an AUD later in life. Learn more about AUD.

What should I do if I need help with my drinking, or I’m worried about a loved one?

If you or someone you care about needs help, talk with a doctor or health provider. It’s important not to tackle this alone. Find free, confidential help now:

How do I drink less alcohol?

First, you can get a clearer picture of your drinking by tracking it with an app. Search “drink less” on your app platforms to find one that works for you. If you’re thinking about changing your drinking, it can help to weigh the pros and cons. You can find more information here to help make a plan and track your drinking. Be sure to also talk to your doctor or health provider.

Where can I find information to help me talk about alcohol with my children or other young people in my life?

The “Talk. They Hear You.”® campaign from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) gives lots of information and resources. This national substance use prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking with their children early about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. Learn more here.

What is the legal drinking age in Oregon? Why does this matter?

Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) laws identify the age when a person can legally purchase alcohol. In the U.S., the legal drinking age is 21.

The MLDA of 21 saves lives and protects health. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act passed in 1984, making the MLDA the same across the U.S. States that had a lower drinking age before this law, found that drinking and motor vehicle crashes declined after the law changed.

Underage drinking is a serious problem. Drinking before age 21 can lead to injuries, deaths, suicide and violence, changes in brain development, poor school performance, and alcohol addiction later in life. We can protect our youth by enforcing MLDA laws, reducing youth exposure to alcohol advertising and talking with young people about their alcohol use. Find out more here.