The final stage on the alcohol-use spectrum is what the DSM-V (American Psychiatric Association’s fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) calls Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). AUD is a medical diagnosis, but most people would use the non-medical term “alcoholism” to describe this level. To be diagnosed with AUD a medical professional would determine if you show specific symptoms over a 12-month period. These symptoms would be things like finding yourself in dangerous situations due to your drinking, experiencing withdrawal, cravings, increased tolerance, and many others. Your answers would help determine if you were living with a mild, moderate, or severe case of AUD.
• Pint = 20 oz. (568 mL) = 1.7 drinks • Pitcher = 60 oz. (1.7 L) = 5 drinks WINE 1 Drink = 5 oz. (142 mL) of 12% alcohol wine Common Sizes: • Large Glass = 9 oz. (270 mL) = 2 drinks • Half Carafe = 12.5 oz. (375 mL) = 2.5 drinks • Bottle = 25 oz. (750 mL) = 5 drinks LIQUOR/SPIRITS 1 Drink = 1.5 oz. (43 mL) of 40% liquor Common Sizes: • Martini or Margarita (standard) = 3 oz. (86 mL) = 2 drinks • Mickey/Pint (depending on where you live this size has different names) = 13 oz. (375 mL) = 8.5 drinks • Bottle (or a “Quart” if you’re in Nova Scotia) = 26 oz. (750 mL) = 17 drinks
HOW MUCH DO YOU DRINK? If you’ve ever reflected on how much you drink and wondered if you drank too much, you might discuss it with your doctor. One of the first questions they ask you might be “how much do you drink?” That’s usually the first question anyone would ask of themselves or others when attempting to determine if a problem is present. But it certainly shouldn’t be the only question, as the more important question to ask is “why do you drink?” also, “what happens in your life when you drink?” Maybe you only have one single glass of wine when you get home from work to unwind. Just 5 drinks a week? No problem, right? For some people, sure. They could do this most weeks and never progress to riskier drinking or big consequences. But there is an ever-growing number of people who do this who actually do have a problem even though it’s “just one drink.” Ask yourself “why” you feel that need to drink that one drink after work. Does that drink quiet intrusive thoughts? Is it the only time of the day you feel like yourself? Do you use it as a medicine to treat anxiety? Then ask yourself what happens in your life when you drink that one drink after work. Does your spouse get distant and avoid you during your wine time? Do your children act differently or even tell you they don’t like it? Does your anxiety keep getting worse even though you feel like you’re calming it with drinking? Maybe you avoid responsibilities once you feel that buzz and things are starting to feel unmanageable. After some reflection, it becomes clear- howmuch you drink isn’t all that needs to be answered.
of booze are more potent than others and the volume, of course, matters. BEER/COOLER/CIDER 1 Drink = 12 oz. (351 mL) of 5% alcohol beer Common Sizes: • Tallboy = 16 oz. (473 mL) = 1.3 drinks
WHAT IS “A DRINK?” You must first know the amount of alcohol con - sidered as 1 drink in order to measure your true consumption. Had 2 pints of draft beer with your meal at the local pub? You didn’t have 2 drinks- you actually had about 3 ½ drinks. In Canada, for alcohol, “one drink” is any drink that has 13.6 grams of pure alcohol. Some types
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021
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