Medical experts say that women — who metabolize alcohol differently than men — should have no more than one drink a day. And men should have no more than two drinks a day.
A “drink” by this definition is one 12-ounce serving of beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.
If you drink more than this, you could be among the millions of Americans who have a drinking problem. Even with these guidelines, you might still be uncertain about your particular situation. In that case, you should seek objective, medical advice.
Call the doctor if:
- You have symptoms of alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
- You regularly drink to intoxication and feel chronic or periodic depression.
- Continued use of alcohol despite repeated physical and psychological problems.
- If you have tried to stop drinking and have experienced withdrawal symptoms such as headache, anxiety, insomnia, nausea or, in rare cases, delirium tremens (confusion, shaking and hallucinations).
Making a decision to examine your drinking habits, completely and honestly, may not be easy. But, one thing is certain: The physical, emotional and social problems that arise from drinking too much are too great a price to pay for the short-lived enjoyment drinking may bring.
