Alcohol Facts

What Is a Standard Drink?

A standard drink contains about 14 grams (about 0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol. Below are approximate standard drink equivalents.

12 oz. of beer or cooler	8-9 oz. of malt liquor 8.5 oz. shown in a 12-oz. glass that, if full, would hold about 1.5 standard drinks of malt liquor	5 oz. of table wine	3-4 oz. of fortified wine (such as sherry or port) 3.5 oz. shown	2-3 oz. of cordial, liqueur, or aperitif 2.5 oz. shown	1.5 oz. of brandy (a single jigger)	1.5 oz. of spirits (a single jigger of 80-proof gin, vodka, whiskey, etc.) Shown straight and in a highball glass with ice to show level before adding mixer
Note: People buy many of these drinks in containers that hold multiple standard drinks. For example, malt liquor is often sold in 16-, 22-, or 40 oz. containers that hold between two and five standard drinks, and table wine is typically sold in 25 oz (750 ml.) bottles that hold five standard drinks.

Drinking Patterns: Rates and Risks

As shown below, nearly a third of U.S. adults engage in risky drinking patterns and thus need advice to cut down or a referral for further evaluation. During a brief intervention, you can use this chart to show that (1) the majority of people abstain or drink within the screening limits and (2) drinking above the limits markedly raises the risk for alcohol disorders. Though a wise first step, cutting to within these limits is not risk free, as motor vehicle crashes and other problems can occur at lower drinking levels.

The following is graphic chart, and the chart column headings read:

(1) "How much alcohol do you drink?,"
(2) "How common is this pattern? (percent of U.S. adults age 18 and older)," and
(3) "Your chances of having an alcohol disorder are…." The two subheadings here are (a) Alcohol abuse--without dependence, and (b) Alcohol dependence--with or without abuse.

Within the first column, "How much alcohol do you drink," are four broad categories of drinking patterns:

(1) abstaining or infrequent drinking;
(2) drinking within the screening limits;
(3) exceeding daily limits, occasionally and frequently; and
(4) exceeding weekly limits.

The alcohol screening limits are as follows: For men, no more than 14 drinks per week and never more than 4 drinks on any day; for women, no more than 7 drinks per week and never more than 3 on any day.

The patterns, rates, and risks are as follows:

(1) Abstaining and infrequent drinking is defined as no alcohol or fewer than 12 drinks per year, for both men and women. How common is this pattern? It fits 56 percent of U.S. adults. What are the chances of having an alcohol disorder? Zero.

(2) Drinking within the alcohol screening limits. This pattern fits 12 percent of U.S. adults. What are the chances of having an alcohol disorder? Less than 1 percent, that is, less than 1 in 100, for either alcohol abuse or dependence.

(3) Exceeding the daily limits--occasionally or frequently:

a. Occasionally is defined as less than once a week. This pattern fits 19 percent of U.S. adults. The chances of having alcohol abuse are 1 in 14, or 7 percent. The chances of having alcohol dependence are also 1 in 14, or 7 percent.

b. Frequently is defined as once a week or more. This pattern fits 3 percent of U.S. adults. The chances of having alcohol abuse are 1 in 7, or 14 percent. The chances of having alcohol dependence are 1 in 6, or 17 percent.

(4) Exceeding the weekly limits: Typically, people with this pattern not only exceed the weekly limits but also the daily limits, once a week or more. This pattern fits 10 percent of U.S. adults. The chances of having alcohol abuse are 1 in 8, or 13 percent. The chances of having alcohol dependence are 1 in 4, or 26 percent.

Alcohol Abuse: Diagnostic Criteria with Sample Questions for Assessment

One or more of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period--
(All questions prefaced by "In the past 12 months,...")
Failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home because of recurrent drinking:
- Have you had a period when your drinking--or being sick from drinking--often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Caused job troubles? School problems?
Recurrent drinking in hazardous situations:
- Have you more than once driven a car or other vehicle while you were drinking? Or after having had too much to drink?
- Have you gotten into situations while drinking or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt--like swimming, using machinery, or walking in a dangerous area or around heavy traffic?
Recurrent legal problems related to alcohol:
- Have you gotten arrested, been held at a police station, or had any other legal problems because of your drinking?
Continued use despite recurrent interpersonal or social problems:
- Have you continued to drink even though you knew it was causing you trouble with your family or friends?
- Have you gotten into physical fights while drinking or right after drinking?

Alcohol Dependence: Diagnostic Criteria with Sample Questions for Assessment

Three or more of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period--
(All questions prefaced by "In the past 12 months,...")
Tolerance:
- Have you found that you have to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or that your usual number of drinks has much less effect on you than it once did?
Withdrawal syndrome or drinking to relieve withdrawal:
- When the effects of alcohol are wearing off, have you had trouble sleeping? Found yourself shaking? Nervous? Nauseous? Restless? Sweating or with your heart beating fast? Have you sensed things that aren't really there? Had seizures?
- Have you taken a drink or used any drug or medicine (other than over-the-counter pain relievers) to keep from having bad aftereffects of drinking? Or to get over them?
Impaired control:
- Have you more than once wanted to stop or cut down on your drinking? Or tried more than once to stop or cut down but found you couldn't?
Drank more or longer than intended:
- Have you had times when you ended up drinking more than you meant to? Or kept on drinking for longer than you intended?
Neglect of activities:
- In order to drink, have you given up or cut down on activities that were important or interesting to you or gave you pleasure?
Time spent related to drinking or recovering:
- Have you had a period when you spent a lot of time drinking?
  Or being sick or getting over the bad aftereffects of drinking?
Continued use despite recurrent psychological or physical problems:
- Have you continued to drink even though you knew it was making you feel depressed or anxious? Or causing a health problem or making one worse? Or after having had a blackout?