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1. How much alcohol consumption is considered acceptable?

   The NIAAA recommended limits for alcohol consumption for most women are no more than three standard drinks per day and seven per week. Women age 65 and older should have no more than one standard drink per day or seven standard drinks per week. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not consume any alcohol. A standard drink is equivalent to one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler; 8 to 9 ounces of malt liquor; one 5-ounce glass of table wine; 3 to 4 ounces of fortified wine; 2 to 3 ounces of cordial, liqueur or aperitif; 1.5 ounces of brandy; or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

2. Can I be an alcoholic even if I don't drink hard liquor?

   Alcoholism has little to do with the kind of alcohol you drink. Each type of alcoholic beverage has a different amount of alcohol. For example a 12-ounce can of beer is roughly equal to 1.5 ounces of hard liquor. If you are currently drinking more than the recommended limits (no more than three standard drinks per day and seven per week) you may need to cut back. If you find it difficult to cut back, you may want to seek help from a health care professional.

3. I only get drunk during holidays or stressful times in my life, so that means I don't have a problem with alcohol, right?

   Drinking more than four alcoholic drinks for women or five for men is usually termed heavy episodic drinking or binge drinking. This type of consumption pattern is consistent with hazardous or harmful alcohol use and may place you at increased risk for developing an alcohol use disorder. It also puts you at risk for other health issues such as injury, motor vehicle crashes and sexually transmitted diseases. If you find it difficult to reduce your drinking to four or fewer drinks at a time, you many want to seek help from a health care professional.

4. What is alcohol abuse?

   Alcohol abuse is a clinical diagnosis that differs from alcoholism (alcohol dependence) in that it does not generally include an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control or physical dependence. In addition, alcohol abuse is less likely than alcoholism to include tolerance (the need for increasing amounts of alcohol to get "high"). Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that is accompanied by one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period:

   • failure to fulfill major work or home responsibilities

   • drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery

   • recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol

   • continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the affects of alcohol

5. When I am feeling stressed or nervous, I have a few drinks. Is there any harm in that?

   Yes. Women often begin to abuse alcohol and drugs following depression, to relax on dates, to feel more adequate, to lose weight, to decrease stress or to help them sleep at night. Any time the number of drinks consumed exceeds the recommended limit, it becomes a problem, and it is important to get help with the issue that is creating the pressure to drink as well as guidance to help avoid such drinking.

6. My 17 year-old daughter has begun drinking socially. Should I be concerned?

   Yes. Underage drinking is illegal. Your daughter could be arrested, and you could be held legally responsible for her actions under the influence of alcohol. Also, drinking puts your daughter at risk for being sexually active and less likely to protect herself from sexually transmitted diseases. She is also at increased risk for becoming a victim of violence, motor vehicle crashes, attempted suicide, overdosing and date rape.

7. Should I worry that my elderly mother has begun drinking more than one drink a day?

   Yes. Your mother may have a problem, and her health care provider should be consulted if her alcohol consumption is exceeding the recommended limits of no more that one standard drink per day or seven standard drinks per week. Tolerance levels decrease as people age, and some studies indicate that older women get addicted faster using smaller amounts than any other group.

8. I started taking painkillers after back surgery six months ago. I have been increasing my dosage in order to manage the pain, and I am afraid of letting my prescription run out. Could I be addicted?

   You may have developed a physical dependence on and tolerance to your medication. You should talk to your health care professional immediately about your concerns. He or she can help determine if this treatment is best for you, or if an alternative treatment should be tried. You can also contact the American Pain Society or American Society for Addiction Medicine if you have questions about your treatment, how to manage your pain and whether you are addicted.

9. Is it OK for me to have just a few drinks while I am pregnant?

   No. There is no known safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. If you feel you cannot resist drinking while you are pregnant, seek the help of a health care professional.