Is there a safe limit for consumption of alcohol?

Abstract

In order to understand and curb the harms related to alcohol, it will be necessary to think beyond patterns of use that meet criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder, or addiction. Current research suggests that regular daily alcohol use does not confer a health benefit, and for many persons, even relatively low consumption is associated with a health risk. Determining a safe limit for alcohol consumption is challenging both for the individual person and for society. We conclude that excessive drinking is always risky. We provide a list of circumstances, such as chronic illness, driving a vehicle, or pregnancy where persons should be advised to abstain from alcohol. We recognize the need to encourage less consumption of alcohol, particularly in young adults, and in older adults with co-morbid conditions particularly when taking multiple medications. Finally, we offer the modest proposal that, for persons without the contributing negative influences described above, consumption which adheres to one drink per session, with interspersed abstinent days, does not constitute a meaningful risk to health.