Lower Risk
Drinking ½ standard glass, equivalent to a light beer, a couple of times a week is so little that it is likely not harmful. Someone who drinks up to 10 standard glasses is considered to have a low risk. The risk increases with increased consumption.
Alcohol Misuse
Someone who drinks more than 10 standard glasses per week is considered to have "alcohol misuse." With this level of consumption, there are risks of health problems such as fatigue, depression, stomach issues, sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, irritability, irregular heart rhythm, and anxiety.
It can also lead to serious alcohol misuse with noticeable negative consequences (often referred to as "alcohol dependence"). This can also lead to an increase in social problems, especially in men, which may include increased violence.
Significantly increased risk
A woman who drinks more than 14 standard glasses per week, or more than 20 standard glasses for men, is considered to have "harmful alcohol use." Here, there is a high risk of causing severe damage, some of which may be difficult to repair.
These damages can include high blood pressure, back problems, other muscle issues, infections, mental health problems, liver damage, impotence, infertility, or social problems.
Cognitive (mental) disturbances can also occur in this category. There is also a significant risk of developing serious alcohol misuse with noticeable negative consequences.
Limit drinking
The limits are gender-specific based on the research conducted. For women, binge drinking is defined as consuming 4 standard glasses or more on a single occasion or 1 or more times per month. During pregnancy, no alcohol consumption is recommended!