What is excessive alcohol use?
U.S. standard drink sizes:
- 12 ounces of 5% ABV beer
- 8 ounces of 7% ABV malt liquor
- 5 ounces of 12% ABV wine
- 1.5 ounces of 40% ABV (80-proof) distilled spirits or liquor (examples: gin, rum, vodka, whiskey)
How does excessive drinking affect us?
- 88,000 deaths per year
- Violence, injuries, and motor vehicle crashes
- Risky sexual behaviors, unintended pregnancies, miscarriage and stillbirth
- Chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure
- $249 billion economic cost
Binge drinking is the main problem
- Over 90% of excessive drinkers binge drink
- 1 in 6 more than 38 million U.S. adults binge drink
- Binge drinkers do so about 4 times a month
- Binge drinkers average 8 drinks per binge
- Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics
If you choose to drink, do so in moderation
- No one should begin drinking or drink more frequently based on potential health benefits
- Up to 1 drink a day for women
- Up to 2 drinks a day for men
- Don’t drink at all if you are under age 21, pregnant or may be pregnant, or have health problems that could be made worse by drinking
For more information: www.cdc.gov/alcohol
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