Alcohol and your health
 

Research-based information from the 

National Institutes of Health 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 
“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 itself—it’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 301–443–3860. 

For an online version of this booklet with interactive

 features and additional resources, visit 

RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 
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* 

7 in 10 adults 

always drink at 

low-risk levels 

or 

do not drink 

at all 

 37% 

always drink 

at low-risk 

levels 

35% 

don’t drink 

at all 

28% 

drink at 

heavy or 

at-risk 

levels

3 in 10 adults 

drink at levels 

that put them 

at risk for 

alcoholism, 

liver disease, and 

other problems 

*Although the minimum legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21, this survey included people aged 18 or older. 

1 

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. 

How much is too much? Thinking about a change? 
 

 

 

 

 

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 

= 

8–9 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 spirits 

(“hard liquor”— 

whiskey, gin, rum, 

vodka, tequila, etc.) 

about 40%

 alcohol 

The percent of “pure” alcohol, expressed here as alcohol by volume (alc/vol), varies by beverage. 

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 spirits or “hard liquor” 

12 fl oz = 1 

16 fl oz = 1 

22 fl oz = 2 

40 fl oz = 3 

12 fl oz = 11⁄2 

16 fl oz = 2 

22 fl oz = 21⁄2 

40 fl oz = 41⁄2 

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”) = 41⁄2 

375 ml (a “pint” or “half bottle”) = 81⁄2 

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 beer—about 85% as much, 

or 4.2% versus 5.0% alcohol by volume (alc/vol), on average. 

Although the standard drink sizes are helpful for following health guidelines, they 

may not reflect customary serving sizes. A mixed drink, for example, can contain 1 to 

3 or more standard drinks, depending on the type of spirits and the recipe. 

2 RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 
 

 

 

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. 

3 How much is too much? 
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 

On any 

single 

DAY 

Per 

WEEk 

MEN 

AND 

4 

No more than 

drinks on any day 

14 

No more than 

drinks per week 

1 2 3

8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

4 5 6 7

WOMEN 

drinks on any 

3 

No more than 

day

AND

7 

No more than 

drinks per week

People can still have problems drinking within these limits, particularly 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 or 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? 

4 RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 

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 do U.S. adults drink? 

The majority—7 out of 10—either abstain or always drink within low-risk limits. 

Which group are you in? 

Drinking patterns in U.S. adults 

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 Higher risk 

37 % always drink within low-risk limits Low risk 

35 % never drink alcohol —

What’s the harm? 

Not all drinking is harmful. You may have heard that regular light to moderate drinking 

(from 1⁄2 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. 

How much is too much? 
h

m

m

y

w

h

t

c

a

s

c

fr

f

c

g

g

m

l

f

s

What are symptoms of an alcohol use disorder? 

See if you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself. In the past year, have you 

ad times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended? 

ore than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t? 

ore than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased 

our chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, 

alking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)? 

ad to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? or found 

hat your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before? 

ontinued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or 

dding to another health problem? or after having had a memory blackout? 

pent a lot of time drinking? or being sick or getting over other aftereffects? 

ontinued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or 

iends? 

ound that drinking—or being sick from drinking—often interfered with taking 

are of your home or family? or caused job troubles? or school problems? 

iven up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or 

ave you pleasure, in order to drink? 

ore than once gotten arrested, been held at a police station, or had other 

egal problems because of your drinking? 

ound that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal 

ymptoms, 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, or if people close to you are concerned about your 

drinking, 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. 

6 RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 
THINkINg ABOUT A CHANgE? 
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.” 

8 RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 

When someone is drinking too much, making a change earlier is likely to be 

more successful and less destructive to individuals and their families. 
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 the next page. 

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 see each 

time you log in, such as 1Day@aTime, 1stThings1st!, or 0Pain=0Gain. 

9 Thinking about a change? 
Strategies for cutting down 

Small changes can make a big difference in reducing your chances of having alcoholrelated 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 the limits in the box above. 

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. 

10 RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 

Low-risk drinking limits 

for healthy adults* 

For healthy men up to age 65— 

• no more than 4 drinks on any day 

 and 

• no more than 14 drinks in a week 

For healthy women 

(and healthy men over age 65)— 

• no more than 3 drinks on any day 

 and 

• no more than 7 drinks in a week 

* Depending on your health status, your doctor may 

advise you to drink less or not at all. 
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. 

If you want to quit drinking— 

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. 

11 Thinking about a change? 
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. 

12 RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 
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. 

Don’t give up. 

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. 

13 Thinking about a change? 
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 10 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 10–11): 

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: 

14 RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 
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

15 

Date 

Situation (people, place) or 

trigger (incident, feelings) 

Type of 

drink(s) Amount 

Consequence 

(what happened?) 

Thinking about a change? 
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 

16 RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 

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 

301–443–3860. 

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 

401–524–3076 

American Psychological 

Association
 

1–800–964–2000 (ask for your state’s 

referral number to find psychologists 

with addiction specialties) 

American Society of Addiction 

Medicine 

301–656–3920 (ask for the phone 

number of your state’s chapter)

NAADAC Substance Abuse 

Professionals
 

www.naadac.org 

1–800–548–0497 

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 

1–800–662–HELP

Mutual-help groups 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 

www.aa.org 

212–870–3400 or check your local 

phone directory under “Alcoholism” 

Moderation Management 

www.moderation.org 

212–871–0974 

Secular Organizations for Sobriety 

www.secularsobriety.org 

323–666–4295 

SMART Recovery 

www.smartrecovery.org 

440–951–5357 

Women for Sobriety 

www.womenforsobriety.org 

215–536–8026 

Groups for family and friends 

Al-Anon/Alateen 

www.al-anon.alateen.org 

1–888–425–2666 for meetings 

Adult Children of Alcoholics 

www.adultchildren.org 

310–534–1815 

Information resources 

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse 

and Alcoholism 

www.niaaa.nih.gov 

301–443–3860
 

National Institute on Drug Abuse 

www.nida.nih.gov 

301–443–1124
 

National Institute of Mental Health 

www.nimh.nih.gov 

1–866–615–6464 

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol 

and Drug Information 

www.ncadi.samhsa.gov 

1–800–729–6686
 

For additional resources, visit RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov 
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
 

NIH Publication No. 09-3770
 

Printed February 2009