menu Stage 3

AUDIT C Option 3: A score of less than 5

Based on your answers about how much alcohol you consume, it appears that you are at low risk of experiencing alcohol -related problems if you continue to drink moderately. This means that you are at lower risk for many of the health and emotional problems than those who drink at a higher level than you. Your drinking is not likely to cause you problems if it remains at this level.

Risk Your Score Men Women Common effects
Low risk Your score indicates you are here. 21standard drinks or fewer per week or up to 4 standard drinks a day 14 standard drinks or fewer per week or up to 3 standard drinks per day
  • Increased relaxation
  • Alcohol consumption at very low levels can provide a protective effect in middle and older age groups for certain diseases mainly heart disease, stroke and diabetes mellitus. At higher levels of consumption this protective effect is lost and the risk of disease increases.
  • Sociability
  • Alcohol even at low risk-levels of consumption, increases the risk of many major diseases including numerous cancers and gastrointestinal conditions.
Increasing risk-hazardous   22-49 standard drinks per week or regular drinking of no more than 4 standard drinks per day 15-35 standard drinks per week or regular drinking of more than 3 standard drinks a day
  • Less energy
  • Depression/Stress
  • Insomnia
  • Impotence
  • Risk of injury
  • High blood pressure
  • Unsafe sex practices
Higher risk- harmful drinking   50+ standard drinks per week 36+ standard drinks per week

All of the above and:

  • Memory loss
  • Increased risk of liver disease
  • Increased risk of cancer including breast, liver and cancers of the mouth.
  • Possible alcohol dependence
  • Depression
  • Increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
  • Harm to relationships, work, studies, friendships or social life.
High Risk -possible dependence   50+ standard drinks per week 36+ standard drinks per week

A higher risk of all of the above and:

  • Risk of brain damage
  • Increased weight gain and poor physical condition.
  • Risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms

 

Low risk weekly guidelines for adults are:

  • up to 14 standard drinks in a week for women, and
  • up to 21 standard drinks in a week for men.

View more information on standard drinks.

Drinks should be spaced out over the week, not consumed in one sitting. Drinking more than these levels increases your chance of alcohol related health problems like accidents, injuries, high blood pressure, liver disease, cancer and heart disease. XXX Percentage of people in Ireland never exceed those levels.

Remember, drinks measures are not always the same. What you get in a pub and what you pour for yourself could be very different.

But remember there are times when these low risk guidelines do not apply- for example:

  • if you're a teenager, it is healthier for teenagers not to drink alcohol
  • when pregnant or breastfeeding
  • if you're ill, run-down or taking medication
  • When driving or operating machinery
  • If you cannot control your drinking
  • If you are over 65.

Low risk drinking involves limiting alcohol use to amounts or patterns that are unlikely to cause harm to oneself or others. The risk of harm increases significantly when people consume more than 2-3 standard drinks per day for women and more than 3-4 standard drinks per day for men and more than five days per week. So keep up the good work!

If you wish to read more information on alcohol please visit our Alcohol Info section. You can also view services in your area or launch the drugs.ie online interactive live helper chat service to speak to someone directly.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the site and share your answers.

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