JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
April is Alcohol Awareness month, and although alcohol is an accepted part of life in the United States, consuming it responsibly can mean the difference between having an enjoyable social evening or ending up behind bars for driving under the influence.
Knowing how much alcohol constitutes a "standard" drink can help determine how much you drink while understanding the risks of over indulging. In familiar terms, the following amounts constitute one standard drink:
12 fluid ounces of beer (about 5% alcohol)
Eight to nine fluid ounces of malt liquor (about 7% alcohol)
Five fluid ounces of table wine (about 12% alcohol)
One and a half fluid ounces of hard liquor (about 40% alcohol)
Low-risk drinking levels for men are no more than four drinks on any single day and no more than 14 drinks per week. For women, "low-risk" drinking levels are no more than three drinks on any single day and no more than seven drinks per week. To stay low-risk, you must keep within both, the single-day and weekly limits.
Even if you abide by these guidelines, alcohol can quickly take over your life. So how do you know if you have or are developing an alcohol problem? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?
Does your drinking ever make you late for work?
Does your drinking worry your family?
Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?
Do you ever forget what you did while you were drinking?
Do you get headaches or have a hang-over after you have been drinking?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have a drinking problem. Make an appointment with your physician to discuss these issues or visit other base counseling resources such as: Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention Training or Military and Family Life Consultants.
Alcohol Awareness Event
Retired Air Force Reservist and current paramedic, Reggie Davis will present a motivational speech on this life changing subject.
315th Airlift Wing Headquarters Auditorium
Bldg. 60
April 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
April 28 from 1 to 2 p.m.
The program is open to all members of Joint Base Charleston.