Moderate Drinking
According to the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020”, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, moderate drinking is up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men.
Heavy Drinking
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), defines heavy alcohol use as more than 4 drinks on any day for men or more than 3 drinks for women.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
What is BAC?
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels represent the percent of your blood that is concentrated with alcohol. A BAC of .10 means that .1% of your bloodstream is composed of alcohol.
Explanation of BAC levels:
.020 – Light to moderate drinkers begin to feel some effects
.040 – Most people begin to feel relaxed
.060 – Judgment is somewhat impaired
.080 – Definite impairment of muscle coordination and driving skills (this is the legal intoxication level in most states)
.100 – Clear deterioration of reaction time and control (this is legally drunk in all states)
.120 – Vomiting usually occurs
.150 – Balance and movement are impaired (here the equivalent of a 1/2 pint of whiskey is circulating in the blood stream)
.200 – Most people begin to experience blackouts
.300 – Many people lose consciousness
.400 – Most people lose consciousness and some die
.450 – Breathing stops (this is a fatal dose for most people)
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Nevada)
The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the nation’s premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services.
In Nevada overall, 52% of adults have had at least one drink of alcohol within the past 30 days of the survey. This is a 1% decrease from 2017.
In Nevada overall, 16.8% of adults acknowledged binge drinking. This is about a 1% decrease from 2017.
Learn More:
- Resources to Support States and Communities in the Prevention of Excessive Drinking
- Guide for Measuring Alcohol Outlet Density
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters (Alcohol)
- Nevada Office of Traffic Safety: Highway Safety Plan 2019