Guidelines For Safe Drinking
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Physicians are often asked to advise on safe ways of drinking. Various official agencies, physician organizations and alcoholism experts have putforth guidelines in this regard, but they are not uniform.
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE DRINKING
Physicians are often asked to advise
on safe ways of drinking. Various official agencies, physician organizations
and alcoholism experts have putforth guidelines in this regard, but they are
not uniform. The following may be concluded:
·
On an average 1–2 drinks per day is usually
safe.
·
Not more than 3 drinks on any one occasion.
·
Consumption of >3 drinks per day is associated
with documented adverse health effects.
·
Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities
after drinking.
·
Do not drink if an interacting drug has been
taken.
·
Subjects with any contraindication should not
drink.
·
Safe limits are somewhat lower for women than
for men, because metabolism of alcohol is slower and its bioavailability higher
(due to less first pass metabolism in stomach) in women than in men.
[Note: 1 drink = 50 ml
of spirits = 150 ml of wines = 400 ml of beer; all have roughly 18 g alcohol,
which taken in empty stomach produces a peak alcohol blood level of ~ 25 mg/dl
in an adult male of average built.]
