The effects of alcohol use on those around us are different from those of smoking because there are many more people who drink from time to time, as they see fit, than there are smokers who can stop or start at will. And we all know that most regular tobacco users become addicted, while most drinkers do not.

But it isn't necessary to be an alcoholic or become addicted to alcohol to cause problems for yourself or others because of your drinking. Many of those involved in alcohol-impaired highway crashes, for instance, are not alcoholics (although many are). People who do not ordinarily drink heavily sometimes do things they would not otherwise do if they happen to drink too much, sometimes with tragic consequences. These consequences can range from embarrassing social behavior, to accidental shootings, to exposure to HIV/AIDS, to causing death on the road. Any of these examples can disrupt or damage family life and cause harm to children.

To avoid these consequences, many people endorse "responsible," or "moderate" drinking. There are no uniform, universally accepted definitions for these terms, however, and too many drinkers call themselves responsible drinkers when, in fact, their consumption would more accurately be called alcohol abuse or high-risk drinking. How can you tell the difference? One way is to know and follow the alcohol recommendations in Dietary Guidelines for Americans,¹ a booklet jointly developed and periodically revised by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These agencies ask a panel of doctors and scientists to give us all some basic tips about the food and beverages we eat and drink.

Here is what Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends for adult alcohol consumption (that's age 21 and over): no more than one drink per day for women; no more than two drinks per day for men. And what is a drink? According to these two Government agencies, a drink is a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of a wine, or a shot glass (1¼ ounces) of an 80 proof distilled spirits beverage (such as vodka or scotch.) There are alcohol products such as malt drinks, wine coolers, fortified wines, and some others that actually contain deceptively high quantities of alcohol in spite of their light and fruity flavors or innocent-looking packaging. The packaged "serving" of some of these actually may count as more than one true serving of alcohol.

If you're a parent or caregiver who drinks, the bottom line is to be sure that your use of alcohol falls within recommended health guidelines, doesn't impair your abilities, and doesn't worry or threaten those around you. Learning more is the first step to feeling confident that you won't harm yourself or others through your drinking; it is also the first step to getting appropriate help if you need it. The sooner you take action, the easier the remedy and the better the chances are that you and those you care about will never suffer because of your relationship with alcohol.

¹ U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2000). Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, last referenced 12/10/2002.

• Alcoholism: Getting the Facts (English version)
• Alcoholismo: Aprenda la Readidad (Spanish version)