Alcohol and your health

“It emphasized that drinking is not bad in and of itself—it's how much ... For anyone who drinks, Rethinking Drinking offers valuable, research-based information.
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drink Alcohol niaaa NIH gov change risk day low risk RethinkingDrinking niaaa NIH health fl oz
“It emphasized that drinking is not bad in and of itself—it's how much ... For anyone who drinks, Rethinking Drinking offers valuable, research-based information.
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drink Alcohol niaaa NIH gov change risk day low risk RethinkingDrinking niaaa NIH health fl oz
SM
Alcohol and your health
Research-based information from the 
National Institutes of Health 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 
NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health 
"Sometimes we do things out of habit and we don't really stop to think 
about it. This made me think about my choices."
"It emphasized that drinking is not bad in and of itselfit's how much 
you're doing it and how it's affecting your life."
"I thought the strategies for cutting down were really good.  
It gives you tools to help yourself."
These are comments from social drinkers who reviewed Rethinking 
Drinking in focus testing. We welcome your comments as well. Send an 
email to rethinking@niaaa.nih.gov or call 3014433860.
For an online version of this booklet with interactive 
 features and additional resources, visit  
RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov

1
How much is too much? Thinking about a change?RETHINKING DRINKING
Do you enjoy a drink now and then? Many of us do, often when socializing with 
friends and family. Drinking can be beneficial or harmful, depending on your age and 
health status, the situation, and, of course, how much you drink. 
Do you think you may drink too much at times? Do you think "everyone" drinks a lot? 
See below for results from a nationwide survey of 43,000 adults by the National 
Institutes of Health on alcohol use and its consequences.
Alcohol use by adults in the United States*
*Although the minimum legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21, this survey included people aged 18 or older. 
7 in 10 adults 
always drink at 
low-risk levels
or
do not drink 
at all     
  28% 
drink at  
heavy or  
at-risk 
levels
               37%  
      always drink  
       at low-risk  
           levels
35% 
don't drink 
at all
3 in 10 adults 
drink at levels  
that put them  
at risk for  
alcoholism,  
liver disease, and 
other problems
 
 
For anyone who drinks, Rethinking Drinking offers valuable, research-based information. 
The first part, How much is too much?, answers these questions and more:
  What's "low-risk" drinking versus "at-risk" or "heavy" drinking?
 Why is being able to "hold your liquor" a concern?
 What are signs that drinking is causing harm?
Many heavy drinkers do not have alcohol-related problems yet and can reduce their 
risk of harm by cutting back. For the nearly 18 million Americans who have alcoholism 
or related problems, however, it's safest to quit.
The second part of this booklet, Thinking about a change?, offers tips, tools, and 
resources for people who choose to cut down or quit. Success is likely for those who 
persist in their efforts. Even for those with alcoholism, studies show that most do 
recover, often without professional treatment.
What do you think about taking a look at your drinking habits and how they may affect 
your health? Rethinking Drinking can help you get started. 
2
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HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
What counts as a drink?
Many people are surprised to learn what counts as a drink. In the United States, 
a "standard" drink is any drink that contains about 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of 
"pure" alcohol. Although the drinks pictured below are different sizes, each contains 
approximately the same amount of alcohol and counts as a single drink. 
12 fl oz of 
regular beer 
about 5% 
alcohol
89 fl oz of 
malt liquor 
(shown in a  
12 oz glass)
 about 7%  
alcohol
5 fl oz of 
table wine 
about 12% 
alcohol
1.5 fl oz shot  
of 80-proof  
distilled spirits 
(gin, rum, tequila,  
vodka, whiskey, etc.)
40% alcohol
=
=
=
The percent of "pure" alcohol, expressed here as alcohol by volume (alc/vol), varies by beverage. 
Although the "standard" drink amounts are helpful for following health guidelines, they may not reflect 
customary serving sizes. In addition, while the alcohol concentrations listed are "typical," there is 
considerable variability in alcohol content within each type of beverage (e.g., beer, wine, distilled spirits). 
How many drinks are in common containers?
Below is the approximate number of standard drinks in different sized containers of 
regular beer malt liquor 
table wine  
80-proof distilled spirits
12 fl oz = 1 
16 fl oz = 1
 
22 fl oz = 2 
40 fl oz = 3
 
12 fl oz = 1 
16 fl oz = 2 
22 fl oz = 2 
40 fl oz = 4 
750 ml (a regular  
wine bottle) = 5 
a shot (1.5 oz glass/50 ml bottle) = 1 
a mixed drink or cocktail 
= 1 or more 
200 ml (a "half pint") 
= 4
375 ml (a "pint" or "half bottle") = 8 
750 ml (a "fifth") 
= 17
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The examples shown on this page serve as a starting point for comparison. For 
different types of beer, wine, or malt liquor, the alcohol content can vary greatly. 
Some differences are smaller than you might expect, however. Many light beers,  
for example, have almost as much alcohol as regular beerabout 85% as much,  
or 4.2% versus 5.0% alcohol by volume (alc/vol), on average. 
Standard drink sizes are helpful for following health guidelines, but they may not 
reflect customary serving sizes. A mixed drink, for example, can contain one, two,  
or more standard drinks, depending on the type of spirits and the recipe.
How much is too much? 3
What's your drinking pattern?
Using the drink sizes on page 2, answer the questions below:  
1. On any day in the past year, have you ever had 
 For MEN:  more than 4 drinks?        
    yes  
        no 
 
 For WOMEN:  more than 3 drinks?  
    yes  
        no 
 
2. Think about your typical week: 
 On average, how many days a week do you drink alcohol?  
    
  (a)
 On a typical drinking day, how many drinks do you have? 
X  
  (b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
    (multiply a x b)      
                                                             
 
    weekly average = 
 
Sometimes even a little is too much 
Even moderate levels of drinking (up to 2 drinks per day for men or 1 for women) can 
be too much in some circumstances. It's safest to avoid alcohol if you are
 planning to drive a vehicle or operate machinery
 
taking medications that interact with alcohol 
 managing a medical condition that can be made worse by drinking  
 pregnant or trying to become pregnant 
 
 Can you "hold your liquor"?
If so, you may be at greater risk.  For some people, it takes quite a few 
drinks to get a buzz or feel relaxed. Often they are unaware that being able to 
"hold your liquor" isn't protection from alcohol problems, but instead a reason 
for caution. They tend to drink more, socialize with people who drink a lot, 
and develop a tolerance to alcohol. As a result, they have an increased risk for 
developing alcoholism. The higher alcohol levels can also cause liver, heart, and 
brain damage that can go unnoticed until it's too late. And all drinkers need to 
be aware that even moderate amounts of alcohol can significantly impair driving 
performance, even when they don't feel a buzz from drinking. 
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On any 
single 
DAY
Per 
WEEK
What's "low-risk" drinking? 
A major nationwide survey of 43,000 U.S. adults by the National Institutes of Health 
shows that only about 2 in 100 people who drink within both the "single-day" and 
weekly limits below have alcoholism or alcohol abuse. How do these "low-risk" 
levels compare with your drinking pattern from page 3?
Low-risk drinking limits
MEN
WOMEN
3
No more than
No more than
No more than
No more than
drinks on any day
drinks on any day
drinks per week
drinks per week
** AND **
** AND **
7
4
14
To stay low risk, keep within BOTH the single-day AND weekly limits.
1 2
3
8 9 1
0
11 12 1
3 14 15
16 17
18 19 2
0 21 22
23 24
25 26 2
7 28 2
9 30 31
5
4
6 7
"Low risk" is not "no risk." Even within these limits, drinkers can have problems if they 
drink too quickly, have health problems, or are older (both men and women over 65 are 
generally advised to have no more than 3 drinks on any day and 7 per week). Based on 
your health and how alcohol affects you, you may need to drink less or not at all.
What's "heavy" or "at-risk" drinking? 
For healthy adults in general, drinking more than the single-day or weekly amounts 
shown above is considered "at-risk" or "heavy" drinking. About 1 in 4 people who drink 
this much already has alcoholism or alcohol abuse, and the rest are at greater risk for 
developing these and other problems.
It makes a difference both how much you drink on any day and how often you have 
a "heavy drinking day"that is, more than 4 drinks in a day for men or more than 3 
drinks for women. The more drinks in a day and the more heavy drinking days over 
time, the greater the chances for problems (see "What's the harm?" on the next page).
Why are women's low-risk limits different from men's?
Research shows that women start to have alcohol-related problems at lower 
drinking levels than men do. One reason is that, on average, women weigh less 
than men. In addition, alcohol disperses in body water, and pound for pound, 
women have less water in their bodies than men do. So after a man and woman 
of the same weight drink the same amount of alcohol, the woman's blood alcohol 
concentration will tend to be higher, putting her at greater risk for harm.
How much is too much? 5
9 %   
drink more than both the single-day 
limits and the weekly limits
Highest risk
19 %  
  
drink more than either the single-day 
limits or the weekly limits
Increased risk
37 %  
 
 
 
always drink within low-risk limits
Low risk
35 %  
 
 
  never drink alcohol

How much do U.S. adults drink?
The majority7 out of 10either abstain or always drink within low-risk limits. 
Which group are you in?
Drinking patterns in U.S. adults
What's the harm?
Not all drinking is harmful. You may have heard that regular light to moderate drinking 
(from  drink a day up to 1 drink a day for women and 2 for men) can even be good 
for the heart. With at-risk or heavy drinking, however, any potential benefits are 
outweighed by greater risks.
Injuries. Drinking too much increases your chances of being injured or even killed. 
Alcohol is a factor, for example, in about 60% of fatal burn injuries, drownings, and 
homicides; 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults; and 40% of fatal 
motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and fatal falls.
Health problems. Heavy drinkers have a greater risk of liver disease, heart disease, 
sleep disorders, depression, stroke, bleeding from the stomach, sexually transmitted 
infections from unsafe sex, and several types of cancer. They may also have problems 
managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
Birth defects. Drinking during pregnancy can cause brain damage and other serious 
problems in the baby. Because it is not yet known whether any amount of alcohol is 
safe for a developing baby, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should 
not drink.
Alcohol use disorders. Generally known as alcoholism and alcohol abuse, alcohol 
use disorders are medical conditions that doctors can diagnose when a patient's 
drinking causes distress or harm. In the United States, about 18 million people have 
an alcohol use disorder. See the next page for symptoms.
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What are symptoms of an alcohol use disorder?
See if you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself. In the past year, have you 
 had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended? 
 more than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn't? 
 more than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased 
your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, 
walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)? 
 
had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found 
that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before? 
 
continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or 
adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout? 
 
spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over other aftereffects?   
 
continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or 
friends? 
 
found that drinkingor being sick from drinkingoften interfered with taking 
care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems? 
 given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or 
gave you pleasure, in order to drink? 
 more than once gotten arrested, been held at a police station, or had other 
legal problems because of your drinking? 
 
found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal 
symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, 
a racing heart, or a seizure? Or sensed things that were not there? 
If you don't have symptoms, then staying within the low-risk drinking limits on  
page 4 will reduce your chances of having problems in the future. 
If you do have any symptoms, then alcohol may already be a cause for concern. The 
more symptoms you have, the more urgent the need for change. A health professional 
can look at the number, pattern, and severity of symptoms to see whether an alcohol 
use disorder is present and help you decide the best course of action. 
Thinking about a change? The next section may help.
Note: These questions are based on symptoms for alcohol use disorders in the American Psychiatric 
Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The DSM is 
the most commonly used system in the United States for diagnosing mental health disorders. 
THINKING ABOUT A CHANGE? 
8
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THINKING ABOUT A CHANGE? 
It's up to you   
It's up to you as to whether and when to change your drinking. Other people may be 
able to help, but in the end it's your decision. Weighing your pros and cons can help. 
Pros: What are some reasons why you might want to make a change?   
 
 
to improve my health 
 
to improve my relationships 
 
to avoid hangovers 
 
to do better at work or school 
 
 
 
to lose weight or get fit  
 
to save money 
 
to avoid more serious problems 
 
to meet my own personal standards
 
 
Cons: What are some possible reasons why you might not want to change? 
 
 
 
 
Compare your pros and cons. Put extra check marks by the most important one(s).  
Is there a difference between where you are and where you want to be?
Ready . . . or not?
Are you ready to change your drinking? If so, see the next sections for support. But 
don't be surprised if you continue to have mixed feelings. You may need to re-make 
your decision several times before becoming comfortable with it. 
If you're not ready to change yet, consider these suggestions in the meantime: 
 Keep track of how often and how much you're drinking. 
 Notice how drinking affects you.   
 Make or re-make a list of pros and cons about changing.
 Deal with other priorities that may be in the way of changing. 
 Ask for support from your doctor, a friend, or someone else you trust.
Don't wait for a crisis or to "hit bottom."
When someone is drinking too much, making a change earlier is likely to be 
more successful and less destructive to individuals and their families.  
Thinking about a change?9
To cut down or to quit . . .
If you're considering changing your drinking, you'll need to decide whether to cut 
down or to quit. It's a good idea to discuss different options with a doctor, a friend,  
or someone else you trust. Quitting is strongly advised if you
 
try cutting down but cannot stay within the limits you set  
 have had an alcohol use disorder or now have symptoms (see page 6)
 have a physical or mental condition that is caused or worsened by drinking 
 are taking a medication that interacts with alcohol
 are or may become pregnant
If you do not have any of these conditions, talk with your doctor to determine whether 
you should cut down or quit based on factors such as 
 
family history of alcohol problems 
 your age 
 whether you've had drinking-related injuries
 symptoms such as sleep disorders and sexual dysfunction  
If you choose to cut down, see the low-risk drinking limits on page 4.
Planning for change
Even when you have committed to change, you still may have mixed feelings at times. 
Making a written "change plan" will help you to solidify your goals, why you want to 
reach them, and how you plan to do it. A sample form is provided on page 14, or you 
can fill out one online at the Rethinking Drinking Web site.
Reinforce your decision with reminders.
Enlist technology to help.  Change can be hard, so it helps to have concrete 
reminders of why and how you've decided to do it. Some standard options include 
carrying a change plan in your wallet or posting sticky notes at home. If you have 
a computer or mobile phone, consider these high-tech ideas: 
  Fill out a "change plan" online at the Rethinking Drinking Web site, email it 
to your personal (non-work) account, and review it weekly.
 Store your goals, reasons, or strategies in your mobile phone in short text 
messages or notepad entries that you can retrieve easily when an urge hits.  
 Set up automated mobile phone or email calendar alerts that deliver 
reminders when you choose, such as a few hours before you usually go out.  
 Create passwords that are motivating phrases in code, which you'll type each 
time you log in, such as 1Day@aTime, 1stThings1st!, or 0Pain=0Gain.
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RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov
Strategies for cutting down 
Small changes can make a big difference in reducing your chances of having alcohol-
related problems. Here are some strategies to try. Check off perhaps two or three 
to try in the next week or two, then add some others as needed. If you haven't 
made progress after 2 to 3 months, consider quitting drinking altogether, seeking 
professional help, or both. 
 Keep track. 
 
Keep track of how much you drink. Find a way that works for you, such as a 3x5" 
card in your wallet (see page 15 for samples), check marks on a kitchen calendar, 
or notes in a mobile phone notepad or personal digital assistant. Making note of 
each drink before you drink it may help you slow down when needed. 
 Count and measure.
 
Know the "standard" drink sizes so you can count your drinks accurately (see 
page 2). Measure drinks at home. Away from home, it can be hard to keep track, 
especially with mixed drinks. At times you may be getting more alcohol than 
you think. With wine, you may need to ask the host or server not to "top off" a 
partially filled glass.
 Set goals.
 
Decide how many days a week you want to drink and how many drinks you'll 
have on those days. It's a good idea to have some days when you don't drink. 
Drinkers with the lowest rates of alcohol use disorders stay within these limits 
(also shown on page 4): For men, no more than 4 drinks on any day and 14 per 
week; and for women, no more than 3 drinks on any day and 7 per week. Both 
men and women over age 65 generally are advised to have no more than 3 drinks 
on any day and 7 per week. Depending on your health status, your doctor may 
advise you to drink less or not at all.
 Pace and space. 
 
When you do drink, pace yourself. Sip slowly. Have no more than one standard 
drink with alcohol per hour. Have "drink spacers"make every other drink a 
nonalcoholic one, such as water, soda, or juice.
 Include food. 
 
Don't drink on an empty stomach. Have some food so the alcohol will be 
absorbed into your system more slowly. 
Thinking about a change?11
 Find alternatives.
 
If drinking has occupied a lot of your time, then fill free time by developing new, 
healthy activities, hobbies, and relationships or renewing ones you've missed.  
If you have counted on alcohol to be more comfortable in social situations, 
manage moods, or cope with problems, then seek other, healthy ways to deal 
with those areas of your life. 
 Avoid "triggers." 
 
What triggers your urge to drink? If certain people or places make you drink  
even when you don't want to, try to avoid them. If certain activities, times of  
day, or feelings trigger the urge, plan something else to do instead of drinking.  
If drinking at home is a problem, keep little or no alcohol there. 
 Plan to handle urges. 
 
When you cannot avoid a trigger and an urge hits, consider these options: 
Remind yourself of your reasons for changing (it can help to carry them in  
writing or store them in an electronic message you can access easily). Or  
talk things through with someone you trust. Or get involved with a healthy,  
distracting activity, such as physical exercise or a hobby that doesn't involve 
drinking. Or, instead of fighting the feeling, accept it and ride it out without  
giving in, knowing that it will soon crest like a wave and pass.
 Know your "no." 
 
You're likely to be offered a drink at times when you don't want one. Have a 
polite, convincing "no, thanks" ready. The faster you can say no to these offers, 
the less likely you are to give in. If you hesitate, it allows you time to think of 
excuses to go along. 
Tools to help you manage urges to drink and build drink refusal skills are available on 
the Rethinking Drinking Web site.
The four strategies on this page are especially helpful. But if you think you 
may be dependent on alcohol and decide to stop drinking completely, don't go 
it alone. Sudden withdrawal from heavy drinking can be life threatening. Seek 
medical help to plan a safe recovery.
If you want to quit drinking
12
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Support for quitting
The suggestions in this section will be most useful for people who have become 
dependent on alcohol, and thus may find it difficult to quit without some help. Several 
proven treatment approaches are available. One size doesn't fit all, however. It's a 
good idea to do some homework on the Internet or at the library to find social and 
professional support options that appeal to you, as you are more likely to stick with 
them (see also Resources on the inside back cover). Chances are excellent that you'll 
pull together an approach that works for you. 
Social support
One potential challenge when people stop drinking is rebuilding a life without 
alcohol. It may be important to
 educate family and friends 
 develop new interests and social groups
 find rewarding ways to spend your time that don't involve alcohol
 ask for help from others  
When asking for support from friends or significant others, be specific. This could 
include
 not offering you alcohol  
 not using alcohol around you
 giving words of support and withholding criticism
 not asking you to take on new demands right now  
 going to a group like Al-Anon  
Consider joining Alcoholics Anonymous or another mutual support group (see 
Resources). Recovering people who attend groups regularly do better than those who 
do not. Groups can vary widely, so shop around for one that's comfortable. You'll get 
more out of it if you become actively involved by having a sponsor and reaching out to 
other members for assistance.
Feeling depressed or anxious?
It's common for people with alcohol problems to feel depressed or anxious. Mild 
symptoms may go away if you cut down or stop drinking. See a doctor or mental 
health professional if symptoms persist or get worse. If you're having suicidal 
thoughts, call your health care provider or go to the nearest emergency room 
right away. Effective treatment is available to help you through this difficult time.
 
Thinking about a change?13
Professional support
Advances in the treatment of alcoholism mean that patients now have more choices 
and health professionals have more tools to help. 
Medications to treat alcoholism. Newer medications can make it easier to quit 
drinking by offsetting changes in the brain caused by alcoholism. These options 
(naltrexone, topiramate, and acamprosate) don't make you sick if you drink, as does  
an older medication (disulfiram). None of these medications are addictive, so it's fine  
to combine them with support groups or alcohol counseling. 
A major clinical trial recently showed that patients can now receive effective alcohol 
treatment from their primary care doctors or mental health practitioners by combining 
the newer medications with a series of brief office visits for support. See Resources 
for more information.
Alcohol counseling. "Talk therapy" also works well. There are several counseling 
approaches that are about equally effective 12 step, cognitive-behavioral, 
motivational enhancement, or a combination. Getting help in itself appears to be 
more important than the particular approach used, as long as it offers empathy, 
avoids heavy confrontation, strengthens motivation, and provides concrete ways  
to change drinking behavior. 
Specialized, intensive treatment programs. Some people will need more 
intensive programs. See Resources for a treatment locator. If you need a referral  
to a program, ask your doctor.
Changing habits such as smoking, overeating, or drinking too much can take  
a lot of effort, and you may not succeed with the first try. Setbacks are common, 
but you learn more each time. Each try brings you closer to your goal.
Whatever course you choose, give it a fair trial. If one approach doesn't work,  
try something else. And if a setback happens, get back on track as quickly  
as possible. 
In the long run, your chances for success are good. Research shows that most 
heavy drinkers, even those with alcoholism, either cut back significantly or quit. 
For tools to help you make and maintain a change, visit the Rethinking Drinking 
Web site.
Don't give up. 
14
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Ready to begin? 
If so, start by filling out the change plan below or online at the Rethinking Drinking 
Web site, where you can print it out or email it to yourself. If you are cutting down  
as opposed to quitting, you can use the drinking tracker cards on the next two pages.
Change plan
Goal:
 
I want to drink no more than ___ drink(s) on any day and  
no more than ___ drink(s) per week (see page 4 for low-risk limits) or
 
I want to stop drinking 
Timing: I will start on this date:  
Reasons: My most important reasons to make these changes are:
Strategies: I will use these strategies (see pages 1011):
People: The people who can help me are (names and how they can help):
Signs of success: I will know my plan is working if:
Possible roadblocks: Some things that might interfere and how I'll handle them:
Thinking about a change?15
Drinking tracker cards
If you want to cut back on your drinking, start by keeping track of every drink. Below 
are two sample forms you can cut out or photocopy and keep with you. Either one can 
help make you aware of patterns, a key step in planning for a change. The "4-week 
tracker" is a simple calendar form. If you mark down each drink before you have it, 
this can help you slow down if needed. The "drinking analyzer" can help you examine 
the causes and consequences of your drinking pattern. Try one form, or try both to see 
which is more helpful. These are also available on the Rethinking Drinking Web site.
4-week tracker
GOAL: No more than ____ drinks on any day and ____ per week.
Week 
starting
Su
M
T
W
Th
F
Sa
Total
___/___
___/___
___/___
___/___
Drinking analyzer
Date
Situation (people, place) or 
trigger (incident, feelings)
Type of  
drink(s) Amount
Consequence  
(what happened?)
16
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Drinking tracker cards (continued)
These are the same cards as on the previous page. If you cut one out, you will have 
the drinking analyzer on one side and the 4-week tracker on the other side.
Drinking analyzer
Date
Situation (people, place) or 
trigger (incident, feelings)
Type of  
drink(s) Amount
Consequence  
(what happened?)
4-week tracker
GOAL: No more than ____ drinks on any day and ____ per week.
Week 
starting
Su
M
T
W
Th
F
Sa
Total
___/___
___/___
___/___
___/___
Resources
Professional help
Your regular doctor. Primary care and 
mental health practitioners can provide 
effective alcoholism treatment by combining 
new medications with brief counseling 
visits. See "Helping Patients Who Drink Too 
Much" at www.niaaa.nih.gov/guide or call 
3014433860.
Specialists in alcoholism. For specialty 
addiction treatment options, contact your 
doctor, health insurance plan, local health 
department, or employee assistance program. 
Other resources include 
Medical and non-medical  
addiction specialists 
 American Academy of Addiction  
Psychiatry   
www.aaap.org   
4015243076 
 American Psychological  
Association   
18009642000 (ask for your state's 
referral number to find psychologists  
with addiction specialties)
 American Society of Addiction  
Medicine   
3016563920 (ask for the phone  
number of your state's chapter)
 NAADAC Substance Abuse  
Professionals   
www.naadac.org   
18005480497    
 National Association of Social  
Workers   
www.helpstartshere.org  
(search for social workers with  
addiction specialties)
Treatment facilities
 Substance Abuse Treatment  
Facility Locator  
www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov  
1800662HELP
Mutual-help groups
 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)  
www.aa.org  
2128703400 or check your local  
phone directory under "Alcoholism" 
 Moderation Management  
www.moderation.org  
2128710974  
 Secular Organizations for Sobriety   
www.secularsobriety.org  
3236664295  
 SMART Recovery  
www.smartrecovery.org  
4409515357 
 Women for Sobriety  
www.womenforsobriety.org  
2155368026
Groups for family and friends
 Al-Anon/Alateen  
www.al-anon.alateen.org  
18884252666 for meetings 
 Adult Children of Alcoholics  
www.adultchildren.org  
3105341815
Information resources
 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse  
and Alcoholism   
www.niaaa.nih.gov  
3014433860
 National Institute on Drug Abuse      
www.nida.nih.gov  
3014431124
 National Institute of Mental Health      
www.nimh.nih.gov   
18666156464 
 National Clearinghouse for Alcohol  
and Drug Information  
www.ncadi.samhsa.gov   
18007296686
For additional resources, visit RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov
D
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PA
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E
N
T OF HEALTH AND HUM
AN
 SER
VICES  USA
NIH Publication No. 15-3770 
Published 2010 
Revised May 2016
Rethinking Drinking is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services