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We know that drinking too much alcohol can cause problems, but how much is too much?
The following guidelines are based on the National Health and Medical Research Centre Council's guidelines, which provide average acceptable levels of drinking over time and levels for occasional ‘heavy' drinking days.
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For Men
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For Women
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An average of no more than 4 standard drinks a day, and no more than 28 standard drinks over a week
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An average of no more than 2 standard drinks a day, and no more than 14 standard drinks over a week
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Not more than 6 standard drinks during any one occasional heavy drinking day
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Not more than 4 standard drinks during any one occasional heavy drinking day
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One or two alcohol-free days per week
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One or two alcohol-free days per week
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Drinking alcohol should be spread over several hours. Men, for example, should not consume more than two standard drinks in the first hour, and no more than one standard drink per hour thereafter. Women should not consume more than one standard drink per hour.
These guidelines assume that the person drinking alcohol:
- is not on medication
- is not pregnant
- will not be driving
- will not be operating machinery.
The above drinking levels may also be too high for men who weigh less than 60 kilograms and for women who weigh less than 50 kilograms.
A lower amount of alcohol is recommended for women because alcohol tends to have a greater affect on women for the following reasons:
- Women tend to have a smaller physical build than men, so alcohol is distributed (throughout the body's water) over a smaller volume. Women also tend to have more body fat than men, and alcohol is not taken up by body fat.
- On average, women have smaller livers than men, and the ability to break down alcohol is limited by the size of the liver.
- The level of hormones in a woman's body can possibly increase the effects of alcohol.
- If a woman is taking the contraceptive pill, her body's ability to break down alcohol may be reduced.
For information on the responsibilites and laws with regards to holding a liquor licence in Victoria, go to the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
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