If you are a woman and drink regularly, you may easily fall into the heavy drinking category. Because if you look at the signs of binge drinking, it’s scarily easier to achieve than you think. And with the number of nightclubs and bars around the world dwindling, it seems like many other people are turning away from alcohol. But not South Africa, where binge drinking and heavy drinking are higher than Seth Rogan on any given Sunday. After a dry January or October, the harsh reality is that binge drinking is everywhere.
How bad is alcoholism in South Africa?
Alcohol statistics in South Africa are grim – very grim. In 2019, the Indigo Wellness Index, an indicator that ranks nearly 200 countries based on various health metrics, named South Africa the unhealthiest country. When it comes to other indices, we are nowhere near the top. Where are we doing so poorly? Obesity, low life expectancy and alcohol consumption. Yes, we are a country of alcoholics.
According to several estimates, we also have the highest incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome in the world. The global average for FAS is about 7.7 per 1,000 people. In South Africa, this number ranges from 57 to 199 – more than seven times higher than the global average, at the lowest end of the scale. According to a joint research project between UCT and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), South Africa is also considered one of the drunkest countries in the world and has one of the highest rates of binge drinking in the world. Alcohol is estimated to contribute to about seven percent of all illnesses in the country.
Important alcohol definitions
Before we look into the grim, self-inflicted reality of things, a few necessary numbers.
What is a unit of alcohol?
One unit of alcohol is defined this way because it is the typical amount of alcohol that an adult liver can metabolize in one hour. What does that mean? If a drink’s label says 12% alcohol content, it means that 12% of the drink is pure alcohol.
This is what a drink looks like…
- Spirits: 1 shot (25 ml)
- Wine: 1 glass (125 ml)
- Beer or cider: half a pint (approx. 250 ml; 3.5-4% alcohol)
To calculate, you can calculate your units by multiplying the alcohol units (in %) by the amount of liquid (in ml) and dividing by 1,000. For example, if you shared a full 750ml of 13% Rosé with your best friend, you would end up consuming five units.
READ MORE: These 13 Easy Mocktails Are So Good You’ll Be Making Them Long After Dry January
How do you know if you can drive safely?
In South Africa, the legal limit for driving is a breath alcohol content of 0.24 mg per 1000 ml or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 g per 100 ml. Too lazy? Use this blood alcohol calculator to see if you are fit to drive.
What is binge drinking?
Now it’s clearer how to tell if you’re a binge drinker. If you drink more than four drinks over a two-hour period more than five times a month, you are considered a heavy alcoholic and are a binge drinker. So three 175 ml glasses of wine (based on 13 percent alcohol content) and I binge drink? Yes!
According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, “moderate” alcohol consumption means drinking one unit of alcohol per day. For women, drinking no more than three units of alcohol in one day is considered low-risk alcohol consumption. And less than seven units of alcohol per week.
READ MORE: Mindful drinking: How more people are becoming “sober and curious.”
What is heavy drinking?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has defined “heavy drinking” as “binge drinking” on five days within a month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has limited the number to a total of eight drinks per week for women (and 15 for men).
How much do other South African women drink?
“But wine is a food group,” we often exclaim as we cook, sip, and prance around the kitchen. It seems that the typical woman in her 30s leads a busy, active and sporty life – and consumes a lot of alcohol in between. To verify this, WH conducted surveys on our social media accounts to collect data from other healthy, health-conscious Women’s Health readers.
23 percent of Women’s Health readers reported consuming alcohol a few times a week or more. The rest is consumed once a week or less. Fifteen percent of you admitted that you, too, fell into the “heavy drinking” category.
Nationwide, the numbers are far worse. The Medical Research Council says 60% of South African drinkers experience binge drinking. And of the 30-43% of Saffas that are drunk, average consumption is around five to six units per day – the equivalent of half a bottle. Daily.
Why is heavy drinking unhealthy?
The effects of heavy drinking on women are well documented, but in 2023 the World Health Organization took it a step further. They found that no amount of alcohol consumption could be considered “safe.” Alcohol is a poison that, even in small quantities, can cause cancer and organ damage.
When it comes to physical health, heavy drinking affects the liver and pancreas and can cause a variety of cancers in addition to strokes and high blood pressure. According to the Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction, these risks increase with just three drinks per week.
READ MORE: How to Experience the Holidays Sober and the 15 Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Signs that you are suffering from binge drinking or alcohol problems
According to the Mayo Clinic, these symptoms mean you should rethink your relationship with alcohol:
- Drinking more than you wanted several times
- Regular blackouts
- Be defensive about your drinking
- Engaging in risky behavior (while drinking)
- You want to reduce your alcohol consumption – but are unsuccessful
- Spend a lot of time drinking or recovering from drinking
- Craving for alcohol
- Missed obligations due to alcohol
- Drink even if you know it could cause a problem
- Drink when it is unsafe
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, shaking or sweating
Free South African Resources for Women
If your drinking habits are affecting your life, turn to these resources.