Help Me Stop
Alcohol is something that many of us like to enjoy. When we respect it, alcohol can be enjoyed responsibly. When we allow ourselves to become consumed by it, alcohol can destroy our lives. In 2015, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated that 15.1 million adults in the United States suffered from AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder). This page is dedicated to helping people stop or reduce their drinking. The information you find here should be used as an education guide only, and not a subsitute for talking to your doctor or healthcare professional.
It's really difficult sometimes to know how much alcohol is going to put you over the limit. The National Institutes of Health has established drinking guidelines. After conducting a survey of 43,000 people in the United States, only 2 in 100 people who drink within their guidelines have developed an alcohol use disorder.
According to NIH, men shouldn't drink more than 4 standard drinks in a single day AND no more than 14 per week. For women, that number drops down to 3 on any given day and 7 per week. It's important to know that not all drink sizes are created equal. For example, you might go to the bar and they could hand you a pint of beer instead 12oz. This is clearly larger than a standard drink. Here's a really good video to help you understand drink sizes and how you can stay aware of how much alcohol you're actually consuming.
Do you need help?
If you think you drink a lot (or have been told that you do) it might be time to be honest with yourself. The first step to recovery is realizing that you have a problem. Here are some great resources to help you quit drinking.
National Institute on alcohol abuse & alcoholism
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is one of the 27 institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIAAA supports and conducts research on the impact of alcohol use on human health and well-being. It is the largest funder of alcohol research in the world.
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.