## How much should you drink per week? Despite some studies showing that alcohol in moderation can be beneficial, the best option is to give it up altogether. However, in a world of temptation and stress, not many do this. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established guidelines for how many alcoholic drinks are considered safe. For example, WHO experts recommend drinking no more than 21 standard doses of alcohol per week for men and no more than 14 for women. (A standard dose is equivalent to 3oz of pure alcohol). Both men and women should have two days of total sobriety per week. > 100 ml of vodka (40 % vol) contains 40 ml of pure alcohol, 100 ml of beer (5 % vol) contains 5 ml, and wine (9–16 % vol) contains 9–16 ml. ## Where's the line? If you're wondering if you're drinking too much, you likely have a drinking problem. Nevertheless, experts advise focusing on several questions you should ask yourself. ===Do you drink alcohol rarely? Are you able to handle stressful situations without reaching for a drink? Can you easily control the amount you drink? Do you rarely have hangovers? If you answered yes to these questions, you are not an alcoholic. If you suspect you might be dependent on alcohol, avoid drinking for several weeks. This is a good test to see if you are dependent. If during this period there are no intrusive thoughts about alcohol, your mood is normal, you do not feel discomfort, then your relationship with alcohol is under control. On the other hand, if you are counting down the days until you can drink then you might already have an addiction. ## When is it time to see a doctor? The following are causes for concern and reasons to see an addiction specialist: - You frequently drink alcohol alone - You need to drink and can't relax without it - You have no control over the amount you drink - You experience short-term amnesia - When you drink alcohol, you experience aggression and lose control of your emotions - You lose your taste for life without alcohol Teenagers, women, people with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, stress-resistant people, and people with disorders of the central nervous and endocrine systems are especially at risk.