Harmful drug use remains a major health concern for Australian society, and the principal drug of concern, apart from tobacco, is alcohol. Most members of the community drink at 'low-risk' levels with little or no consequences, save for the occasional hangover or an inappropriate word dropped here or there.

Alcohol affects each individual differently, so it is impossible to say who will be affected by what amount of alcohol. However, there are well-established guidelines for 'low-risk' drinking. For the average man, drinking more than four standard drinks a day (28 standard drinks a week) is drinking too much. For the average woman, drinking more than two standard drinks a day (14 standard drinks a week) is drinking too much. A 'low-risk' drinking pattern should include two or three alcohol-free days a week.

These levels are different for men and women because women's bodies are more vulnerable to the affects of alcohol than are men's. Women are often of smaller build than men, have more fat content and less water than men, and break down alcohol more slowly.

Drinking at above these levels increases the risk for physical, social and emotional harm for the drinker and for those associated with the drinker. It is estimated that at least 10% of the population drink at problematic levels, and that for every problematic drinker five other people are affected. It is estimated that 25% of all hospital admissions are alcohol related. ^[2]

Physical harm from alcohol can include brain damage, heart disease, liver disease, gastro-intestinal illness and sexual dysfunction. Social problems include traffic accidents, domestic and community related violence, diminished work performance and industrial accidents, crime, family breakdown and financial issues. Emotional problems include depression, isolation, anger, guilt and low self-esteem. Prolonged excessive drinking can sometimes lead to severe mental illness.