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Hazardous drinking

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Hazardous drinking

Also termed "risky drinking", hazardous drinking is a pattern of alcohol consumption that increases someone's risk of harm

  • some would limit this definition to the physical or mental health consequences (as in harmful use). Others would include the social consequences
  • this is not a current diagnostic term within ICD-10 but it continues to be used by WHO in its public health programme

Hazardous drinking applies to anyone drinking over recommended limits (21 units a week for men or 14 units a week for women) but without alcohol-related problems (1,2).

  • in 2008, 21% of adult men were drinking between 22 and 50 units per week, and 15% of adult women were drinking between 15 and 35 units (1)

Reference:

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