From the Guidelines
For men, drinking more than 14 standard drinks per week is considered excessive alcohol consumption. A standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol, which equals approximately 12 ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% alcohol) 1. It's also important to avoid binge drinking, which means consuming more than 4 drinks on a single occasion. Men should aim to have several alcohol-free days each week and never exceed 4 drinks in one day. These limits are lower than previous guidelines because research has shown that even moderate alcohol consumption carries health risks, such as liver disease, cardiovascular problems, increased cancer risk, mental health issues, and alcohol dependence 1.
Key Considerations
- Individual factors like medication use, health conditions, family history of alcoholism, and age may necessitate even lower limits 1.
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recommends lower levels of consumption or abstinence for adults who receive medications that interact with alcohol, have a health condition exacerbated by alcohol, or are pregnant 1.
- Behavioral counseling interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing heavy drinking episodes in adults engaging in risky or hazardous drinking, and can help individuals adhere to recommended drinking limits 1.
Recommendations
- Men should not exceed 14 standard drinks per week, and should aim to have several alcohol-free days each week.
- Men should never exceed 4 drinks in one day, and should avoid binge drinking.
- Individuals who find it difficult to stay within these guidelines should consider speaking with a healthcare provider.
From the Research
Definition of Heavy Drinking
- Heavy drinking is defined as the average consumption of more than 14 drinks per week for men in the past year 2
- This definition is associated with an increased risk of alcohol use disorders, suicide, interpersonal violence, traffic injuries, liver disease, certain cancers and infectious diseases, and adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women 2
Weekly Alcohol Consumption Limits
- The average consumption of more than 14 drinks per week for men is considered heavy drinking 2
- There is no specific definition of "too much" alcohol consumption, but heavy drinking is associated with various health risks 2
Treatment of Alcohol Dependence
- Disulfiram and naltrexone are two FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of alcohol dependence 3, 4, 5, 6
- These medications have been shown to reduce craving and amount of alcohol intake, and prevent relapse in alcohol-dependent patients 4, 5, 6
- However, the effectiveness of these medications may vary depending on individual factors, such as comorbid psychiatric disorders 5, 6