Table 1 Categories of unhealthy alcohol use, consistent with the USPSTF definitions

Risky drinking [18]

Consumption of alcohol above recommended daily, weekly, or per occasion amounts, but not meeting criteria for alcohol use disorder. For women no more than 3 drinks per day and no more than 7 drinks per week. For men no more than 4 drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. Adolescents, women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, and adults planning to drive a vehicle or operate machinery should avoid alcohol completely.

Binge drinking [18]

An occasion of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration levels to 0.08 g/dL. This typically corresponds to 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men over 2 h.

Alcohol use disorder [19]

Pattern of alcohol use leading to impairment or distress, as manifested by two (or more) of the following in a 12-month period: (1) Having times when the patient drank more, or longer, than intended. (2) More than once wanted to cut down or stop, tried it, but could not. (3) Spending a lot of time drinking or being sick/getting over the aftereffects of drinking. (4) Wanting to drink so badly that they could not think of anything else. (5) Found that drinking (or being sick from drinking) often interfered with taking care of home or family responsibilities, caused problems at work, or caused problems at school. (6) Continuing to drink even though it was causing trouble with family and friends. (7) Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting in order to drink. (8) More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased the chances of getting hurt (e.g., driving, swimming, unsafe sexual behavior). (9) Continued to drink even though it was causing depression or anxiety, other health problems, or causing memory blackouts. (10) Having to drink much more than previously in order to get the desired effect or finding that the usual number of drinks had much less effect than previously. (11) Experiencing the symptoms of withdrawal after the effects of alcohol were wearing off, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, racing heart, or seizure.