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AUSTRALIAN DRINKING GUIDELINES
The National Health and Medical Research Council have published revised
‘Australian Alcohol Guidelines’ (endorsed in October 2001), to
provide updated advice on the levels of consumption considered to be low-risk,
both for the population and for specific groups.
The guidelines are based on an Australian Standard Drink, which contains
10 grams/12.5mls of pure alcohol. A 30ml nip of spirits, straight or mixed,
or a 285ml pot of full-strength beer, or a 100ml glass of wine are all equivalent
to one standard drink. Alcohol beverage containers (cans, bottles, casks)
state on their label the number of standard drinks contained.
| In general,
to minimise short and longer-term risk, and gain any longer-term health
benefits from the consumption of alcohol, the guidelines recommend
for adult drinkers: |
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Men consume
an average of no more than 4 standard
drinks a day, not more than 28 standard drinks over a week and not
more than 6 standard drinks in any one day, consuming 1–2 drinks
in the first hour and one per hour after that. |
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Women
consume an average of no more than 2 standard
drinks a day, not more than 14 standard drinks over a week and not
more than 4 standard drinks in any one day, consuming no more than
1 drink per hour. |
The
Guidelines also recommend that 1–2 alcohol-free days per week
may be a prudent approach to remain in control of one’s drinking,
although acknowledging that the evidence is limited.
The above recommended levels are not applicable to people
who: |
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Have
a condition made worse by drinking; |
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Are on medication;
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Are under 18
years of age; |
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Choose not
to drink alcohol; |
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Younger
adults and older people; |
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Are
pregnant or may soon become pregnant; or |
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Are
about to engage in activities involving risk or a degree of skill. |
The ‘Australian Alcohol Guidelines’
contains more specific recommendations for each of these groups.
The full document, ‘Australian Alcohol Guidelines –
Health Risks and Benefits’, and further information, can be found on
the NHMRC’s
website
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