Alcohol Abuse: How to Recognize Problem Drinking

• A woman who has more than seven drinks* per week or more than three drinks per occasion
• A man who has more than 14 drinks* per week or more than four drinks per occasion
• Older than 65 years and having more than seven drinks* per week or more than three drinks per occasion

• A woman who has more than three drinks every day or 21 drinks per week
• A man who has more than five drinks every day or 35 drinks per week

Return to top

• Drink and drive, operate machinery or mix alcohol with medicine (over-the-counter and prescription medicine)
• Don't tell your surgeon, physician or pharmacist that you are a regular drinker
• Are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant and drink at all (even small amounts of alcohol may hurt an unborn child)
• Drink alcohol while you are looking after small children

Return to top

• Relax, relieve anxiety or go to sleep
• Be more comfortable in social situations
• Avoid thinking about sad or unpleasant things
• Socialize with other regular drinkers

Return to top

• Ever worry about having enough alcohol for an evening or weekend
• Hide alcohol or buy it at different stores so people will not know how much you are drinking
• Switch from one kind of drink to another hoping that this will keep you from drinking too much or getting drunk
• Try to get "extra" drinks at a social event or sneak drinks when others aren't looking

Return to top

• Can't stop drinking once you start
• Have tried to stop drinking for a week or so but only quit for a few days
• Fail to do what you should at work or at home because of drinking
• Feel guilty after drinking
• Find other people make comments to you about your drinking
• Have a drink in the morning to get yourself going after drinking heavily the night before
• Can't remember what happened while you were drinking
• Have hurt someone else as a result of your drinking

Return to top

• Your doctor for advice, treatment or referral
• Self-help support groups (see "Other Organizations")
• Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (see "Other Organizations"). Call for information about local treatment programs and to speak to someone about your alcohol problem

Return to top