Drinking guidelines for adults* The national guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol for healthy adults 18 years and over are:
No more than
2 standard drinks on any day
Reduces your risk of developing a disease or injury from alcohol over your lifetime.
No more than
What happens when you drink alcohol? 1. After a few drinks... feel more relaxed, reduced concentration and slower reaction time
3. Still more drinks... confusion, blurred vision, poor muscle control
2. A few more drinks... fewer inhibitions, more confidence, reduced coordination, slurred speech, intense moods (sad, happy, angry)
4. More still... nausea, vomiting, sleep
Drinking guidelines for young people† For young people under 18 years of age, not drinking is the safest option because: ❥❥ they are more likely than older people to take risks and put themselves and others in danger if they drink ❥❥ alcohol may affect the way their brain develops.
5. Even more... possibly coma, or death
If young people aged 15–17 years choose to drink, they should:
4 standard drinks
❥❥ drink at a low risk level (see adult guidelines)
on a single occasion
Reduces the risk of immediate injury from alcohol. Drinking 4 standard drinks on a single occasion more than doubles your risk of injury in the following six hours.
❥❥ drink in a safe environment, supervised by an adult.
For more information: www.druginfo.adf.org.au www.somazone.com.au For help, see your doctor or other health professional. © Australian Drug Foundation 2014 Published by the Australian Drug Foundation Tel: 1300 85 85 84, email: druginfo@adf.org.au
*
Based on independent research and the Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council (2009).
*
Based on independent research and the Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council (2009).
❥❥ tingling and loss of sensation in hands and feet
Nervous system
❥❥ inflammation ❥ and pain
Pancreas
❥❥ liver cancer
❥❥ cirrhosis
❥❥ hepatitis
❥❥ severe swelling and pain
Liver
❥❥ greater chance of infections, including tuberculosis (TB)
Lungs
❥❥ loss of muscle tissue
❥❥ weakness
Muscles
❥❥ bruising
❥❥ sweating
❥❥ flushing
Skin
❥❥ damaged/reduced sperm
❥❥ shrinking of testicles
Male ❥❥ impotence
❥❥ damage to ❥ unborn baby
❥❥ infertility
Female ❥❥ gynaecological problems
Sex organs
❥❥ diarrhoea
Intestines
❥❥ ulcers
❥❥ bleeding
❥❥ inflamed lining
Stomach
❥❥ changes in ❥ red blood cells
Blood
❥❥ irregular pulse
❥❥ heart attack
❥❥ high blood pressure
Heart
❥❥ breast cancer
Breasts
❥❥ cancer
Mouth, throat, lips
❥❥ hallucinations
❥❥ confusion
❥❥ loss of memory
❥❥ brain injury
Brain
Heavy drinking over time can cause damage to many parts of your body. Some damage can be permanent.
How can alcohol damage your health?
Alcohol can damage your health if you drink more than the recommended guidelines for low-risk drinking.