Wisconsin ranks highly in the nation for excessive alcohol use, which can be harmful to your health. Still, that does not mean you have to quit drinking altogether. Instead, knowing about both risky and safe alcohol use can be helpful.
As defined by the CDC, excessive alcohol use includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any alcohol use by pregnant women or anyone younger than 21. Binge drinking is having four or more drinks at a time for a woman or five or more drinks for a man. Heavy drinking is having eight or more drinks in a week for a woman or 15 or more drinks for a man.
“For those who choose to drink alcohol, drinking in moderation is the safest way to drink,” says Jane Oligney, Recovery Specialist at Family Health La Clinica. “Current guidelines say that if adults of legal drinking age choose to drink, limiting to 2 drinks in a day for men or one drink for women is considered safe alcohol use.”
These limits offer a starting point to use as a guide. Since alcohol levels in different types of drinks can vary, it is also useful to know what one drink is. Being aware of how much alcohol is in your drinks can help you make healthy choices.
The CDC states that a standard drink contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. Check the labels for the “alcohol by volume” or ABV. Generally, one drink is 12 ounces of beer (about 5% ABV), 8 ounces of malt liquor (about 7% ABV), 5 ounces of wine (about 12% ABV), or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor (about 40% ABV).
Drinking too much can lead to violence and injury in the short term and chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease in the long term. It can also impact social wellbeing, like problems with relationships, work, school, and more. Drinking in Wisconsin is common, but the harmful effects do not have to be.
If you or someone you know is concerned about their alcohol use, help is available. To speak privately with a licensed Behavioral Health Clinician or Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC), please call 1-800-942-5330. They will help you make an appointment at Family Health La Clinica Wautoma or Friendship Roche-A-Cri.
Family Health La Clinica is a community health center where all are welcome to receive care. They offer primary medical and dental services, mental health counseling, and substance abuse services to people of all ages and income levels. They accept private insurance, Medicaid (BadgerCare), Medicare, and uninsured. They also have a sliding fee scale for those who qualify. For more information, visit their website at www.famhealth.com or find them on social media @fhlcchc on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
