It is difficult to define how many drinks is considered a problem, as it is highly individual and depends on a multitude of factors, including age, gender, health status, size, and the type of beverage consumed.
Generally, the recommended upper limit for alcohol consumption is two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. However, this is an average and is not intended to be a hard and fast rule. Depending on a person's individual circumstances, these limits may be higher or lower.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines a "standard drink" as containing 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is typically equal to:
• 12 ounces of regular beer
• 5 ounces of wine
• 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits
People who exceed these limits may be considered to have a drinking problem. According to the NIAAA, binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks in two hours for women, and five or more drinks in two hours for men. Heavy drinking is defined as eight or more drinks a week for women, and 15 or more drinks a week for men.
In addition to the number of drinks consumed, the frequency of drinking is also a key factor in determining whether someone has a drinking problem. Even if someone drinks within the recommended limits, if they are drinking multiple times per week, this can be an indication of a more serious issue.
It is important to note that drinking can be a problem even if it does not meet the criteria for heavy or binge drinking. If you are concerned about your own or someone else's drinking, it is best to talk to a healthcare provider who can provide a professional assessment.