The holiday season is upon us and what a wonderful time to be spending with our family. Most people don’t realize that more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men can increase their risk for health and safety problems. The Coalition would like to remind you of these standard guidelines set by the US Dept of Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines in 2005 for adult alcoholic beverage consumption.

One of the developmental asset categories most closely associated with alcohol and other drug use is "Boundaries and Expectations." The lifestyle risk reduction approach to prevention provides the information needed to establish healthy boundaries and expectations regarding the use of alcohol. Based on the public health model for preventing lifestyle-related diseases like heart disease and certain types of cancer, it provides the information needed to assess personal risk and make choices that reduce an individual's risk of experiencing health and impairment problems resulting from alcohol use.  The lifestyle risk reduction approach is for the lifespan and can be used with youth, teens, and adults of all ages. 

The ASAP (Assistance for Substance Abuse Prevention) Center, a partner with the Coalition, is hosting a workshop on this evidence-based best practice entitled “Minimize Risk, Maximize Life: Adult Prevention” on December 7, 9 or 16, 2010, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information visit, http://www.asapcenter.org/events.html, or call 513-458-6640 (toll-free 888-310-4904).

Another resource, The Domino Strategy^TM on How to Drink Responsibly, is a social marketing campaign that encourages the public to pay attention to the size, content and amount of alcohol they consume each time they drink. Furthermore, the strategy recommends that individuals follow recommended the drinking guidelines set by the US Dept of Health and Human Services. To view the supporting research and download your free implementation guide, visit http://www.dominostrategy.org .

Take a look at your drinking habits and how they may affect your health: visit http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/