With the festive season behind us and “back-to-school” and back to work for many in South Africa, reality stares us in the face. Some have huge dents in their budget from constant partying in the past month, empty fridges and empty food cabinets, not to mention the very empty liquor cabinet. Some people feel the effect of the over-indulgence of alcohol use/abuse over this period. Here are a few things we all should know about the use of alcohol:
What percentage of South Africans drink alcohol?
Alcohol consumption in South Africa is off the charts. Although only 43% of adult men in our country drink and about one in five women, consumption per drinker is so high that per capita consumption, which includes non-drinkers, is higher than in most other countries.
What race consumes the most alcohol in South Africa?
Current alcohol use was reported by 41.5% of men and 17.1% of women. White men (68.8%) were most likely and Indian/Asian women (15.2%) were least likely to be current drinkers. Urban residents (33.4%) were more likely than rural dwellers (18.3%) to report current drinking.
Legal Limit in South Africa
The legal BAC limit in South Africa is 0.05 grams per 100 milliliters of blood, which corresponds to a breathalyser reading of 0.24 milligrams of alcohol per 1000 milliliters of breath.
Which province in South Africa has the most alcohol consumption?
The Western Cape is recognized as the province that drinks the most alcohol in South Africa, with per capita alcohol consumption estimated to be 30-40% higher than the national average.
What are the types of drinkers?
- Social drinkers – Typically consume alcohol in moderation during social occasions without it leading to serious problems.
- Binge drinkers – Engage in heavy drinking sessions, often consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short period, leading to intoxication.
- Heavy drinkers – Regularly consume alcohol in amounts that exceed recommended guidelines, increasing the risk of health and social problems.
- Problematic drinkers – Experience negative consequences due to their drinking habits but may not meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder.
- Alcohol dependent – Individuals who have developed an alcohol dependence, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking and finding it difficult to control their consumption.
What do you call a person who drinks alcohol every day?
People who drink alcohol every day suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder, (previously known as Alcoholism), which apparently is a common medical condition. People with this condition can’t stop drinking, even if their alcohol use upends their lives and the lives of those around them. Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate or severe.
What occupation drinks the most alcohol?
Miners, including both above and below ground, oil rig workers, rock splitters, excavators, and all other who work in the mining, drilling, and quarrying industry, have the highest rate of alcohol abuse of any profession.
Is a bottle of wine a day too much?
This is 4.5 times the recommended low-risk drinking guidelines. Drinking a bottle of wine a day or night is also considered alcohol abuse and puts you at risk of becoming physically dependent on alcohol and developing alcohol addiction.
Is three beers a day too much?
In short, the answer from current research is that the less alcohol, the better. A note on drinking level terms used in an article: The 2020-2025 US Dietary Guideline states that for adults who choose to drink alcohol, women should have 1 drink or less in a day and men should have 2 drinks or less in a day.
Interesting facts about alcohol’s effects
- Alcohol affects men and women differently
- Alcohol can lower blood sugar levels
- Moderate alcohol consumption could help protect against heart disease
- Many factors influence how people react to alcohol
- Drinking does not warm you up.
Of those who consume alcohol in South Africa, 48% of men and 32% of women binge drink. In 2015 the total per capita alcohol consumption in SA was 11.5L of pure alcohol, and alcohol consumption per drinker was 27L of pure alcohol – one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world.
For further reading, click here:
Sources:
The truth about driving under the influence – Miller, Bosman, Le Roux Attorneys
What are the Types of Drinkers? – The Recovery Rance PA
Detox Plus UK – www.detoxplusuk.com
Addition Center – www.additioncentre.com
Alcohol Use Disorder: What it is, Symptoms and Treatment – Cleveland Clinic
The Basics: Defining how much alcohol is too much – www.niaaa.nih/gov