How risky is my drinking?
Harmful - Dangerous
MEN: More than 6 standard drinks per day.WOMEN: More than 4 standard drinks per day.
This level is dangerous and is likely to cause physical and social damage if continued.
Common physical and emotional effects include all the effects of hazardous drinking, plus:
- Brain damage
- Memory loss
- Physical dependence
- Liver disease
- Cancer
Many of these effects are NOT REVERSIBLE.
Hazardous - Moderate risk
MEN: More than 4 standard drinks per day.WOMEN: More than 2 standard drinks per day.
This level of drinking could harm your health.
Problems include:- Increased risk of
- Injury while driving or operating machinery
- High blood pressure
- Sleeping problems
- Depression/Stress
- Aggression
- Family problems
- Impotence
- Reduced:
- Ability to think clearly
- Work performance
- Physical coordination
- Energy, fitness
You should reduce your alcohol consumption to safer levels. Contact your Doctor or Drug and Alcohol Services for advice on how to do this.
Low risk - Responsible
MEN: Up to 4 standard drinks per day.WOMEN: Up to 2 standard drinks per day.
Make at least two days per week alcohol free.
Pregnant Women: Not drinking at all is the safest for your unborn child. If you have difficulties cutting down see your doctor.
The benefits of reducing your drinking
It you are drinking above the low risk level the benefits of reducing your drinking are:
- Save Money
- Sleep better
- Improved family life and personal relationships
- Have more energy
- Improved memory, concentration
- No hangovers
- Lose weight
- Better physical condition
- Improved mood
- Improved work performance
- Reduce risk of:
- Cancer
- Brain damage
- Liver damage
- High blood pressure
- Driving accidents
- Injury to self and others
- Legal problems
Easy tips for cutting down
- Eat before and during drinking
- Avoid salty foods
- Don’t mix alcoholic drinks
- Switch to low alcohol beer
- Avoid rounds or shouts
- Don’t allow others to top up your glass
- Plan activities at times you normally drink
- Limit the time you spend with heavy drinking friends
What is Drink Rite?
Drink Rite is a state wide project initiated in response to drink driving and public safety issues identified in an area.
It demonstrates the effects of alcohol and the benefits of drinking low alcohol beverages. It illustrates to people how much variation there is in the effect of alcohol from person to person, particularly between men and women. The public is well informed that the legal limit is .05% Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) but very few people are aware of how few drinks it takes to reach that limit.
Drink Rite events are held in licensed premises or at community group functions, for example, Rotary or Lions Clubs meetings, or as exhibition events at Boat Shows, Motor Shows, Fishing Expos etc.
Six people are chosen to consume alcohol under controlled drinking conditions. They are breath tested every half an hour and their readings placed on a whiteboard for viewing by other patrons. Once a participant reaches .08 BAC they take no further part in the event.
At the conclusion of the Drink Rite event both the participants and audience will have:
- Increased awareness of the link between consumption of different strength beers and the blood alcohol content (BAC) of drinkers.
- A greater understanding that a range of factors other than alcohol affect an individual’s BAC.
- Increased knowledge of what constitutes a standard drink.
- Increased awareness of standard drinks as a means of monitoring alcohol consumption and approximate blood alcohol content.
For advice and further assistance
24 Hour Alcohol & Drug Information Service: (07) 3236 2414
STD callers can telephone: 1800 177 833 TOLL FREE
or contact your local doctor or the Alcohol and Drug Service.
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