There are many reasons why there are recommended maximum amounts of alcohol that a person should consume at any one time and over the course of his or her lifetime. Alcohol can have both short-term and long-term negative effects on the body. When an individual decides to abuse alcohol by over-consuming, he or she may suffer injury, illness, or even death.

Americans are encouraged to consume alcohol "in moderation." In general, this means that men are recommended to limit their alcohol intake to 2-3 drinks a day and women are suggested to drink only 1-2 alcoholic beverages per day. These numbers should be viewed on a "per day" basis, as opposed to a weekly average.

Heavy Drinking and Binge Drinking

As opposed to moderate drinking, heavy drinking is considered to be consuming more than an average of two drinks per day for men and an average of one drink per day for women. You may notice that these numbers are defined on a different basis than moderate drinking - they are based upon a weekly average as opposed to a daily tally.

Binge drinking has a looser definition than heavy and moderate alcohol consumption. It occurs when one drinks to or above the point of legal intoxication (blood alcohol content above 0.08%). Though these numbers vary from case to case, binge drinking is generally defined as 5 drinks for men and 4 drinks for women within a two hour period.

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If you have been charged with DUI, then the Seattle DUI defense lawyers of the Cowan Kirk Gaston Law Firm can defend you. To learn more about our experienced and aggressive legal representation, contact our offices today at 1-866-822-1230.