Definitions of risky alcohol drinking

Indicators from the NSW Population Health Survey currently reflect the 2009 National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol. These definitions apply to indicators reported between 2002 and 2020. The new definitions resulting from a change in the Guidelines in 2020 will come into effect for data reported from 2021 (which will not be published until 2023).

In 2009, the NHMRC published guidelines to reduce the health risks from drinking alcohol (National Health and Medical Research Council 2009). These guidelines focus on the effects of alcohol during, and immediately after, drinking, and introduce the concept of lifetime risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

Guideline 1 states that the lifetime or long-term risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury is reduced by drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day when drinking alcohol, and by drinking less frequently. As this definition is based on usual alcohol consumption, therefore representing an overall pattern of drinking, it reflects alcohol use related to health risk over the long-term.

Guideline 2 states that to reduce the immediate risk of injury on a single occasion of drinking that healthy men and women should drink no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion. 

Guideline 3 states that for children and young people under 18 years of age not drinking alcohol is the safest option.

Guideline 4 states that not drinking alcohol is the safest option for women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, or who are breastfeeding.

In December 2020, the NHMRC released updated Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol. One new guideline has replaced the 2009 long-term risk and immediate risk guidelines. The new guideline 1 states that to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury, healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day. The less you drink, the lower your risk of harm from alcohol.

References

National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. Canberra: NHMRC, 2009. Available at https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-guidelines-reduce-health-risks-drinking-alcohol

National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. Canberra: NHMRC, 2020. Available at https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-guidelines-reduce-health-risks-drinking-alcohol#block-views-block-file-attachments-content-block-1