Alcohol consumption is extremely normalized in American society. When you celebrate a loved one’s birthday, go to a wedding, or even meet up with coworkers after work, alcohol always seems to be at the center. Society’s attitude of general acceptance towards drinking alcohol can make it difficult to determine whether you are drinking excessively or not.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of America’s population drinks alcohol regularly.[1] While it is fine to consume alcohol in moderation, excessive drinking can lead to alcoholism and long-term health complications like liver disease. The WHO also reports that in 2016, more than 3 million people died from alcohol-related causes, which is equal to about 1 in 20 deaths worldwide.[1]

Because heavy drinking can lead to adverse health reactions, alcoholism, and even death, you must be able to recognize when your alcohol consumption is excessive. A great place to start is by looking at how many drinks per week is too many, and whether or not your drinking exceeds this amount.

How Many Drinks Per Week are Too Many Drinks?

Everyone knows that heavy drinking is detrimental to their health, state of mind, and overall quality of life. But, determining how much alcohol is too much can be difficult. Thankfully, the CDC and the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism have released guidelines on excessive alcohol use.

According to the CDC, excessive alcohol use includes:[2]

• Drinking 4 or more drinks at once for a woman and 5 or more drinks for men (binge drinking)
• Drinking 8 or more alcoholic beverages per week for a woman and more than 15 per week for men
• Any alcohol use for pregnant individuals or people under the age of 21

If you were wondering how many drinks per week is too many, the CDC says it is 8 if you’re a woman and 15 if you’re a man. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) also agrees that excessive drinking is defined as a man having more than 4 drinks per day or 14 drinks per week or a woman having more than 3 drinks per day and 7 drinks per week.[3]

Any amount of alcohol consumption is considered excessive if you:[3]

• Plan to drive or operate heavy machinery or participate in activities that require skill, coordination, or alertness
• Take over-the-counter or prescription medications
• Have certain medical conditions
• Are currently pregnant
• Are younger than 21 years old
• Have a history of alcoholism or alcohol use disorder

Why is Excessive Drinking Different for Men and Women?

Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently than men, causing the guidelines for excessive drinking to vary. Even when a man and a woman have a similar body weight, the woman tends to have less water in their body. This causes women to reach higher concentrations of blood alcohol content than men, even when they drink the same amount of alcohol.[4]

Because of these biological differences, women are encouraged to drink less alcohol per day and per week than men. Other factors can also affect the rate at which you process alcohol, including body weight, certain medications, and how much you have eaten.

People with a low body weight will reach a higher level of blood alcohol concentration than someone who weighs more. Drinking on an empty stomach can cause you to absorb alcohol rapidly, leading to higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood. And lastly, being on certain medications can increase the effects of alcohol, sometimes leading to fatal overdoses.

How to Tell When Excessive Drinking Turns into Alcoholism

Having too many drinks per week does not always mean you are suffering from alcoholism, however, doing so could cause you to develop the condition. When you drink large amounts of alcohol frequently, your body will begin to tolerate the substance, causing you to increase how much alcohol you drink in one sitting, eventually causing your body to depend on alcohol to function properly.

Alcoholism is referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the medical community. AUD exists on a spectrum, meaning it is possible to suffer from a mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder. Any level of alcoholism should be treated within a professional alcohol treatment program.

Alcohol use disorder is a diagnosable condition that has 11 criteria. If you identify with the following symptoms of alcoholism, you should attend an alcohol rehab program:[5]

• You drink alcohol in larger amounts over a longer period than intended
• You have attempted to quit using alcohol and have been unsuccessful due to an intense desire to drink
• A large amount of time is spent attempting to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of alcohol
• You experience cravings or a strong desire to use alcohol
• Your alcohol use results in an inability to complete obligations at work, school, or home
• Important social or recreational activities are given up to continue abusing alcohol
• You continually use alcohol in dangerous situations, such as while driving a car
• You continue to use alcohol despite facing psychological or physical health consequences
• You have developed a tolerance to alcohol, meaning you have to increase the amount you use to experience the desired effect
• You experience symptoms of withdrawal when you stop using alcohol

Find Help for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism today

If you or a loved one suffer from an alcohol use disorder, it’s time to seek professional help. Alcohol rehab programs like Arise Treatment Center provide highly individualized treatment programs, evidence-based treatment methods, and holistic therapies to help their patients overcome the disease of alcoholism.

Our alcohol rehab center in Vista, California offers comprehensive individualized alcohol treatment programs that help you properly treat and heal from addiction. Our treatment program for alcohol addiction provides a safe, peaceful, structured environment where you can focus on long-term sobriety.

If you or a loved one are having too many drinks per week and are concerned you are struggling with alcoholism, please contact us today for a risk-free consultation. Call now to get started.

References:

1. https://www.who.int/news/item/21-09-2018-harmful-use-of-alcohol-kills-more-than-3-million-people-each-year–most-of-them-men
2. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/alcohol.htm
3. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking
4. https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa46.htm
5. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/pdf/dispen/eeg/alcohol-mar2016.pdf