In Australia alcohol is legal for people aged 18 and over. If you are under 18, the safest option is to not consume alcohol.
Other nicknames for alcohol include: liquor, booze, grog, piss, drinks, bevs, cold ones.
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More alcohol infoThere are always risks associated with drug use. No use at all is the safest option.
Alcohol affects everyone differently based on a person’s health, height weight and mood, the amount and strength of alcohol consumed, and the environment. The list of effects on this website are not definitive or exhaustive. Consuming alcohol can cause a state referred to as drunkenness.
The short-term/immediate effects of alcohol can include:
Some of the long-term effects of regular alcohol consumption can include:
Drinking a lot of alcohol regularly over time is likely to cause problems for someone’s physical, emotional and social health. Damage to some body organs can be chronic and permanent. It can also affect long term wellbeing by interfering with work and study, cause financial issues, family problems and can also have legal consequences.
A standard drink is a way of measuring alcohol. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol. The amount of alcohol in a can, bottle or glass in an alcohol drink is expressed in terms of standard drinks. A serving of alcohol at a venue is often larger than a ‘standard’ drink.
Different types of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits) contain a different amount of pure alcohol, meaning their ‘strength’ is different.
In Australia, the packaging on all alcoholic beverages must feature the number of standard drinks in that bottle/can/cask. Always check the label to see how many standard drinks are in a beverage.
What are the Australian alcohol guidelines?
While there’s no safe level of drinking, to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol related disease or injury, the recommend:
for healthy men and women over 18, no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day
anyone under 18 should not drink alcohol to reduce the risk of injury and harm to the developing brain
women who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding should not drink alcohol to prevent harm to their baby.
Most alcohol consumed is broken down by the liver. It takes a healthy adult liver about one hour to process one standard drink. This can take longer for young people or those with health issues. Nothing can speed up this process – not food, coffee or cold showers. While such things can make a person feel better, the liver will still take the same amount of time to process the alcohol consumed.
It is safest to not drive or plan to drive if alcohol is consumed. A 0-blood alcohol limit applies to all learner and provisional licence holders. This means no alcohol is allowed. A 0.05-blood alcohol limit applies to full licence holders.
Binge drinking is when someone drinks heavily over a short period of time. This can be up to 4 or more standard drinks if you are over 18.
Studies have shown an increased likelihood of acute harm such as accident and injury, when binge drinking occurs. It takes time for alcohol to reach the brain, and people can be affected by alcohol before they realise.
If alcohol is being consumed, there are ways to reduce risk/harm:
Poly drug use: Using alcohol at the same time as any other drug has risks. This includes drinking alcohol while using prescribed or over the counter medications.
One drug can worsen the negative effects of the other, and alcohol can stop medicines from working properly. Mixing alcohol with other depressant drugs can:
Alcohol poisoning refers to an alcohol related overdose, when excess alcohol in the body can be life-threatening. It can look like:
If suspected alcohol poisoning, call the ambulance on triple zero (000).
When someone is intoxicated with alcohol, there are steps we can take to respond and keep them safe. It is important to first check for dangers such as broken glass, needles, vehicles and surroundings.
If the person is not responding or is very unwell, stay with them and call an ambulance straight away by dialing triple zero (000) and follow advice. for suspected alcohol poisoning. Emergency services are there to help – be honest if someone has been consuming alcohol or other drugs and let them know if you suspect alcohol poisoning.
If you suspect alcohol poisoning or in an emergency always call triple zero (000) immediately.
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs 24 hours, 7 days a week, call the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline 1800 250 015.
The poisons hotline is available 24 hours, 7 days a week to speak to toxicologists in case of a suspected overdose, wrong medicine consumption or exposure to a harmful substance.
Need some help but not sure where to turn? We can help. Connect with us or visit the Find Support Now page.
More infoVisit the Your Room website for more information about alcohol effects, dependence, drink spiking, risks, support services and other information.
More infoKey References and Resources
The National Health and Medical Research Council, Alcohol, accessed on 19/02/2025 via https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol
NSW Health, Alcohol, accessed on 19/02/2025 via https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/a-z-of-drugs/Pages/alcohol.aspx
Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2025, Alcohol, accessed on 19/02/2025 via https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/alcohol/
