Responsible Drinking

Drinking in moderation is an integral part of enjoying alcohol beverages without causing personal or societal harm. Initiatives exist that describe what is meant by responsible drinking and the undesirable consequences associated with excessive consumption. Many programmes focus especially on "at risk" behaviours, e.g., binge drinking and consuming alcohol beverages while pregnant.

Please see the International Center for Alcohol Policy's (ICAP) Drinking Guidelines for a comprehensive treatment of potential outcomes relating to different patterns and levels of consumption.

Below are key aspects related to consuming alcohol beverages responsibly.

Alcohol abuse can take many forms including excessive consumption and/or alcohol dependence, or alcoholism. Numerous programmes seek to raise public awareness about the harms caused by alcohol abuse. These initiatives address the telltale signs and symptoms of alcoholism, as well as offering suggestions as to how to obtain help.

• Building Awareness: Initiatives addressing alcohol abuse.

"Binge drinking," taking the form of irresponsible drinking patterns, is commonly associated with young and inexperienced drinkers. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines binge drinking as the consumption of five or more drinks in one sitting or on one occasion. Initiatives serve to raise the awareness of this form of excessive consumption, as well as social consequences and associated dangers.

• University Initiatives: Educating college students about the dangers of binge drinking.
• Public Awareness: Initiatives regarding how to identify instances of binge drinking and suggestions for how to address such behaviour.

For additional information on alcohol-related issues concerning youth, please refer to the Young People and Alcohol section.

There are initiatives that provide information about the benefits of moderate consumption. Studies have also demonstrated that moderate drinking may have beneficial health effects.

• Moderate Drinking: Initiatives that offer information about what constitutes "moderate consumption" (e.g., what defines drinking in moderation, how it varies depending upon the individual's characteristics, etc.).

Concerns about alcohol misuse include ensuring that pregnant women abstain from drinking alcohol so as not to put their pregnancies at risk. Please see the International Center for Alcohol Policy's (ICAP) International Guidelines on Drinking and Pregnancy for a comprehensive table of guidelines on drinking during pregnancy from various countries.

• Women and Responsible Consumption: Campaigns promoting the ability to enjoy drinking safely.
• Women and Pregnancy: Initiatives that provide information on the risks of alcohol beverage consumption during pregnancy.

Many involved in the alcohol beverage industry have sought to promote responsible drinking behaviour utilising commercials and other forms of outreach. Please refer to the Marketing & Advertising section to view responsible marketing practices.