Alcohol consumption
Alcohol is a drug used widely in Australia. The effect of alcohol consumption varies between person to person, but can have negative consequences to your health and your own and other people's safety.
The effects of drinking
There are 2 main patterns of drinking that pose a risk to a person's health:
- excessive alcohol intake on a single occasion (often called binge drinking)
- consistent high alcohol intake over time.
Short term effects
Alcohol is a depressant. It slows down activity in the central nervous system and the messages going between the brain and the body. Noticeable effects after drinking include:
- slowed reaction times
- decreased inhibition
- impaired memory
- problems with thinking and concentrating
- periods of memory loss or ‘blackouts’
- slurred speech
- blurry vision
- difficulty with balancing
- mood swings
- slower heart rate and breathing.
Combined, these effects can leave drinkers at an increased risk of causing accidents and injury to themselves and others such as from violence and assault, falls, car accidents, fire, and drowning.
Long term effects
Repeated and regular high alcohol consumption can cause serious health consequences in the long-term. These include:
- liver disease
- mouth, throat and oesophageal cancer
- increased risk of bowel breast and liver cancer
- heart and blood vessel illnesses
- damage to muscles and bones (Musculoskeletal damage)
- digestive disorders
- alcohol dependence.
Pregnant women who drink alcohol are more at risk of miscarriage and giving birth to babies who are smaller, premature or born with development, behavioural and physical effects known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Alcohol also passes into breastmilk which may cause damage to the baby's brain development.
Staying in control of alcohol
Low-risk drinking can minimise the health and safety risks of alcohol consumption.
Standard drink information
National alcohol guidelines use the Australian 'standard drink' as a measure of alcohol consumed. One standard drink is defined as containing 10 grams of alcohol.
The number of standard drinks in a serving of alcohol varies between size, brand, packaged or poured and alcohol types (i.e. wine / beer / spirits). In Australia, all packaged alcohol (e.g. cans, bottles or casks) is required by law to be labelled with the approximate number of standard drinks the package contains to help you understand how much you plan to consume. Be mindful also of the size of the glass that your alcohol has been served in. If possible pour your own drinks or when you're out, look for the line on the glass for a standard pour.
Number of standard drinks by alcohol type:
| Alcohol type | Serving size | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|
| Beer—full strength (4.8%) | 285ml pot | 1.1 |
| 375ml can / stubbie | 1.4 | |
| Beer—Mid strength (3.5%) | 285ml pot | 0.8 |
| 375ml can / stubbie | 1 | |
| Beer—Low strength or 'light' (2.7%) | 285ml pot | 0.6 |
| 375ml can / stubbie | 0.8 | |
| Red wine (13%) | 100ml glass | 1 |
| Average restaurant serving (150ml) | 1.5 | |
| White wine (11.5%) | 100ml glass | 0.9 |
| Average restaurant serving (150ml) | 1.4 | |
| Spirits (40%) | 1 nip (30ml) | 1 |
| Pre-mixed drinks (5-7%) | 275ml bottle | 1.1–1.5 |
| 375ml can | 1.5–2.1 |
Adapted from the national standard drinks guide.
National alcohol guidelines
Based on a large amount of research and analysis, Australia's alcohol guidelines help people make informed decisions about low risk alcohol consumption.
Healthy men and women
- Drinking no more than 2 standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury
- Drinking no more than 4 standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.
Children and young people under 18 years of age
- Not drinking alcohol is the safest option
- Children under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking and that for this age group, not drinking alcohol is especially important
- For young people aged 15−17 years, aim to delay the start of drinking for as long as possible.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- For women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.
For further information, read the Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol.
Help and support
If you are concerned about your own or someone else's alcohol use and would like further information or help, the following services are available.
Alcohol and Drug Information Service
The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) is a confidential phone service that offers information, advice, counselling and referral for alcohol and other drug issues.
Phone: 1800 177 833
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services
In Queensland, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) treatment services are provided in local communities by Queensland Hospital and Health Services, non-government and private organisations.
Services can provide comprehensive assessments for substance use, brief intervention, treatment planning, case management, counselling, residential treatment and referral if required.
To locate your nearest ATOD Service:
- contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service 1800 177 833, available 24 hours
- search for 'alcohol and drug' on QFinder the Queensland directory of health and community services
Counselling online
Counselling Online is a free, 24-hour, 7 day online service where you can communicate live and one-on-one with a professional counsellor about any alcohol or drug related concern.
This service is free for anyone seeking help with their own drug use or the drug use of a family member, relative or friend. You can choose to remain anonymous or register with the service.
Counselling Online is a program operated by Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre in Melbourne, Victoria.
