Guidelines for Drinking

This is the American Wine Society guidelines on what drinking in moderation means and who should not drink at all. The following people should not drink: - Children and adolescents. - Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. Major birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome, have been attributed to heavy drinking by the mother while pregnant. While there is no conclusive evidence that an occasional drink is harmful during pregnancy, a safe level of alcohol intake during pregnancy has not been established. - Individuals who plan to drive or take part in activities that require attention or skill. Most people retain some alcohol in the blood up to 2 or 3 hours after a single drink. - Individuals using certain prescriptions or over-the counter medications. What counts as one drink: - 12 ounces of regular beer - 5 ounces of wine - 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits