II. Indications
- Screening for Alcohol Dependence
III. Background: Standard drink equivalents (12 grams of Alcohol)
- Can of 4.5% Beer (12 ounces)
- Glass of 12.9% wine (5 ounces)
- Glass of 40% or 80-proof liquor (1.5 ounces)
IV. History: NIAAA Quantity and Frequency Questionnaire
- How many days per week do you drink Alcohol on average?
- How many drinks do you have on a typical day?
- Maximum drinks on a single occasion in the past month?
V. Grading: Alcohol use
- U.S. NIAAA definition for "safe" Alcohol use
- Men: 2 drinks per day (1 drink if over age 65 years)
- Women: 1 drink per day
- U.S. NIAAA definition for "at risk" Alcohol use
- Men: >14 drinks per week or 5 drinks per occasion
- Women: >7 drinks per week or 4 drinks per occasion
- U.S. NIAAA definition for "heavy" Alcohol use
- Men: Over 5-6 drinks per day
- Women: Over 3-4 drinks per day
VI. Resources
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
VII. References
- (2000) NIH Publication 00-1583, p. 429-30