Binge drinking, or heavy drinking, is defined as a pattern of drinking which involves consuming alcohol in large quantities over a short period, typically resulting in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

Drinking guidelines vary from country to country, but for a typical adult, this generally corresponds to five or more drinks for men, and 4 or more drinks for women, within about two hours.  Getting drunk can harm your physical and mental health, as it puts you at greater risk of accidents and even alcohol poisoning.

It is key to consume alcohol beverages in moderation, whether during weekdays or on the weekends. Thinking “drinking only on weekends is safe” risky as it could justify binge drinking behaviour.

Alcohol beverages can be part of a balanced lifestyle for most adults when consumed responsibly, and when paired with good nutrition, physical activity, not smoking, and other healthy habits.

Using your country’s standard drinks guidelines can support responsible drinking habits, and provide guidance across various alcohol beverages. Drinking guidelines play an important role in supporting those who choose to drink, helping them to do so moderately and responsibly. These guidelines encourage positive choices and promote drinking habits that are consistent with a balanced lifestyle.

The WSA supports initiatives that enhance understanding of alcohol content, having
standard serving sizes, and the importance of moderation, reinforcing the principle that consumers play a key role in ensuring their well-being.

While there’s no global definition of a “standard drink” and national guidelines vary, the spirits industry ensures responsible consumption by focusing on clear labelling, consumer education, and promoting moderation across all markets.

We’re committed to transparency – providing ABV and serving size information – and we tailor responsible drinking initiatives to local norms and regulations. Our goal is to reduce harmful use, and to empower adult consumers to make informed, responsible choices and promote a culture of moderation.

The Spirits industry is committed to combatting harmful consumption in all forms, it does so through longstanding support and funding for evidence-based programs to address these issues. New no- and lower- alcohol products do provide additional choices for those seeking to moderate their consumption which the industry wants to support. However, it is not a single magic solution to harmful consumption of alcohol, and more research is needed on the potential impacts of lower-alcohol content products on consumer behaviour with respect to harmful drinking.

No-alcohol spirit alternatives can contribute to responsible drinking, as they can offer adult alternatives to traditional soft drinks when partaking in alcohol occasions, or moderating alcohol intake. No-alcohol options may also be desirable in circumstances where drinking alcohol is not advisable, either temporarily or permanently (for instance, if driving or during pregnancy). 

All alcohol beverages, whether beer, spirits, or wine, contain the same active ingredient–ethanol–with the same effect on behavior and health risk, and equal risk of misuse. There is no conclusive evidence that any individual beverage type is more strongly associated with risk for a given outcome given the same amount of alcohol consumed and the same drinking pattern.

Standard drinks of beer, wine, and spirits contain roughly the same amount of pure alcohol. For example, a gin and tonic with 25ml of 40% ABV gin has about the same alcohol content as half a pint of a 4% ABV beer or a whole pint of 2% ABV beer. ² Therefore, all forms of alcohol beverages should be treated equally under regulatory frameworks, marketing guidelines, and public health initiatives.

When it comes to alcohol’s impact on health, it is not the category of alcoholic beverage you consume that matters, but the amount and the way you consume it.

²Drinkaware. (2025). Unit and Calorie Calculator | Drinkaware. Retrieved from: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/unit-and-calorie-calculator/#/unit-and-calorie-calculator/singleDrinks.