According to the website http://cdc.gov, there are guidelines to "proper" alcohol consumption. Peruse, enjoy. Then ask yourself how many people you know who adhere to these provincial rules? I certainly don't know many young people who stop after one glass of wine, and never has it been quoted at a bar that, "I've exceeded my one drink limit..." Well, I have heard it once, but that is not the prevailing school of thought.

How do I know if it’s okay to drink?

The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (1) recommend that if you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, you do not exceed 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. These guidelines also specify that there are some people who should not drink alcoholic beverages at all, including


Individuals of any age who cannot restrict their drinking to moderate levels.
Women who may become pregnant or who are pregnant.
Individuals who plan to drive, operate machinery, or take part in other activities that requires attention, skill, or coordination.
Individuals taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol.
Individuals with specific medical conditions.
Persons recovering from alcoholism.

Heavy Drinking? What is too heavy?
For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming an average of more than 2 drinks per day. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming an average of more than 1 drink per day.

*Note: I do not promote the use of alcohol but encourage readers to think critically about what their average consumption is when compared with the CDC recommendations. Not pretty, is it?