The dividing line between use and misuse of alcohol remains undefined by researchers, and it is not always clear-cut for individuals. Even moderate alcohol use has associated risks.  

Facts
Policy
Resources

Standard Drink Equivalents: 12 oz Beer = 8.5 oz Malt Liquor = 5 oz Wine = 1.5 oz 80 proof Spirits. All the drinks
in the above graphic contain approximately the same amount of alcohol and count as a single standard drink.

FACTS

• According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, men who drink more than four drinks on any day and women who drink more than three drinks on any day are at risk for alcoholism or alcohol abuse.
• 28 % of adults aged 18 or older drink at heavy or at risk levels.
• In 2007, 18.6 million persons aged 12 or older were classified with dependence on or abuse of alcohol. 
• An estimated 30.5 million people aged 12 or older drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year.
• 23% of people aged 12 or older, or 55 million people, participated in binge drinking (consumption of five or more drinks on a single occasion) at least once in the past 30 days.
• Among those 18-25 years old, the percentage participating in binge drinking increases to 42%.

Sources: NIAAA, Rethinking Drinking, 2009; 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, SAMHSA; State Estimates of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Illicit Drugs in the Past Year among Current Drivers Aged 18 or Older: Average of 2004-2006, SAMHSA, 2008

POLICY

• Increase alcohol excise taxes

Higher alcohol excise taxes are an important tool in reducing the public health toll of alcohol abuse, while also providing a viable and appropriate source of funding to finance reform of our nation’s health system.

The Task Force on Community Preventive Services completed a systematic review of the scientific evidence on public health impact from raising the price of alcoholic beverages.  They concluded that increased alcoholic beverage prices or taxes were consistently related to:

• Fewer motor vehicle crashes and deaths
• Less alcohol-impaired driving
• Less mortality from liver cirrhosis
• Less mortality from all causes

Read the rest of our letter to Congress

The Task Force on Community Preventive Services also recommends two other community policies to help curb heavy or at-risk drinking.

• Regulation of the density of alcohol outlets through licensing or zoning.
• Maintaining limits on days of sale.
  Read more

The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends one community policy to help curb underage drinking.

• Enhanced enforcements of laws prohibiting sales to minors.
  Read more
  

• Partnership for Prevention finds that Screening for Alcohol Misuse and Brief Counseling for adults is an effective and cost effective clinical preventive service. Read more.
• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides Helping Patients who Drink too Much: A Clinicians Guide and additional resources for health care providers. Read more.

RESOURCES FOR DRINKERS

• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has a web site designed for drinkers to take a fresh look at their drinking. Read more.

www.cspinet.org/alcohol

www.jointogether.org

www.marininstitute.org

www.niaa.nih.gov

www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov