How Much Alcohol is Too Much?

Alcoholism and substance abuse run prevalently in my family, so I have always been cautious-- perhaps even overly cautious-- about my own alcohol intake. Just as people with a family history of diabetes must be extra-careful to watch their sugar consumption, people who are at a high risk of alcoholism must monitor their use of the substance carefully.

But just how much alcohol is too much? When does a person cross the line between being a high-risk drinker and a functioning alcoholic?

When it comes to determining how much alcohol is too much, you are your own best guideline. Even if you are in some degree of denial, you probably understand on some level what amount of alcohol intake is appropriate for you. For example, I know that I personally should not have more than two drinks per week, because I worry that any higher level of intake could trigger the inner-alcoholic who dwells silently inside my chromosomes. On the other hand, some people define "too much" alcohol as a much higher intake; some adults drink as many as two drinks per night but suffer no ill effects.

The professional guidelines about how much alcohol is too much are pretty straightforward. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an average man should drink no more than fourteen drinks in any given week, while an average woman should not exceed nine drinks per week. Additionally, the USDA recommends that men and women both drink no more than two drinks at a time-- yes, even if it's your birthday. If you stay within these guidelines, you are considered to be a low-risk drinker, and your risk of alcoholism and health problems are very low.

However, high-risk people have a much lower bar regarding their alcohol intake. If you have a chronic illness or a personal history of any form of addiction, you should talk to your doctor to find out if moderate alcohol intake is at all appropriate for you. Those with liver disease and depression should generally avoid alcohol entirely; it is also out of the question for pregnant women and people with a history of alcoholism.

Depending on your family history and your own medical background, a single drink per month may be too much alcohol. On the other hand, some healthy adults can drink two beers per day and still remain within the USDA's guidelines for safe alcohol consumption.