What is considered excessive drinking of wine?

October 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use is responsible for more than 140,000 deaths in the United States each year. This makes it a leading cause of preventable death, and it is vital to understand what is considered excessive drinking of wine and other alcoholic beverages to safeguard your health.

Quick Summary

Excessive wine drinking is categorized into heavy and binge drinking, with different thresholds for men and women based on daily and weekly intake levels. These guidelines help define unhealthy alcohol consumption patterns and evaluate personal health risks.

Key Points

Defining Excessive Drinking: Excessive wine consumption is defined by specific intake patterns, including binge drinking (high volume in a short time) and heavy drinking (high total volume over a week).
Binge Drinking Thresholds: Binge drinking is defined as 4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men within a two-hour period.
Heavy Drinking Thresholds: Heavy drinking involves 8 or more weekly drinks for women and 15 or more weekly drinks for men.
A Standard Drink of Wine: A standard drink of wine is a 5-ounce glass, which is important for accurately assessing total intake.
Risk Factors: Factors like sex, age, weight, and genetics can influence an individual's alcohol metabolism and sensitivity to excessive drinking.
Health Risks: Excessive consumption carries significant health risks, including liver disease, cancer, heart problems, and an increased risk of accidents.

Understanding Excessive Wine Consumption

Defining what constitutes excessive drinking is crucial for maintaining good health and understanding potential risks. Public health organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), have established specific guidelines for both binge and heavy drinking. It is important to note that these guidelines are based on standard drink sizes, which for wine is a 5-ounce glass.

Binge Drinking: A Pattern of Overconsumption

Binge drinking refers to consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period, bringing a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. For most people, this typically occurs after:

Women: Consuming 4 or more standard drinks in about 2 hours.
Men: Consuming 5 or more standard drinks in about 2 hours.

This pattern of drinking is particularly dangerous as it increases the risk of accidents, injuries, and short-term health problems. It is not just about getting drunk, but about the rapid, significant increase in BAC that overwhelms the body's ability to process alcohol safely.

Heavy Drinking: The Cumulative Effect

Heavy drinking is defined by the total number of drinks consumed over a week, highlighting the cumulative effect of regular, excessive intake. According to the CDC, this is defined as:

Women: 8 or more standard drinks per week.
Men: 15 or more standard drinks per week.

It is important to remember that these are weekly totals and include any binge drinking occasions within that timeframe. Consuming excessive amounts regularly, even without binge drinking, can lead to serious long-term health consequences.

Factors Influencing Excessive Drinking

Several factors can influence how a person's body processes alcohol and, therefore, what is considered excessive for them. These factors include:

Biological Sex: The CDC provides different guidelines for men and women because bodies process alcohol differently. Women tend to have higher body fat and lower body water content than men, which affects how alcohol is distributed and metabolized.
Age: Older adults are often more sensitive to alcohol's effects due to changes in metabolism and body composition.
Body Weight and Size: A person's weight and size influence their blood alcohol concentration. A smaller individual will likely reach a higher BAC on fewer drinks than a larger person.
Genetics: Genetic factors can influence an individual's alcohol metabolism and their risk for alcohol-related health issues.
Overall Health: Pre-existing health conditions, such as liver disease or heart problems, can be worsened by alcohol consumption.

Health Risks of Excessive Wine Drinking

Engaging in excessive wine consumption carries significant health risks, both immediately and over the long term. Understanding these consequences is a key part of appreciating why moderation is so important.

Short-term effects

Accidents and Injuries: Binge drinking greatly increases the risk of falls, burns, and motor vehicle crashes due to impaired coordination and judgment.
Impaired Judgment: Higher alcohol consumption can lead to risky behaviors, memory blackouts, and poor decision-making.
Alcohol Poisoning: Drinking a large amount of wine quickly can lead to a dangerous, and sometimes fatal, condition known as alcohol poisoning.

Long-term effects

Liver Disease: Chronic excessive drinking is a primary cause of liver disease, including cirrhosis and fatty liver disease.
Cancer: Alcohol is a known carcinogen linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including liver, breast, and mouth cancers.
Cardiovascular Issues: Heavy drinking is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Mental Health Problems: Consistent excessive consumption can lead to or worsen mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): This is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.

Comparison Table: Moderate vs. Excessive Wine Drinking


Feature	Moderate Wine Drinking	Excessive Wine Drinking
Weekly Intake	Women: 7 or fewer standard drinks Men: 14 or fewer standard drinks	Women: 8 or more standard drinks Men: 15 or more standard drinks
Single-Occasion Intake	Women: 1-2 standard drinks Men: 2-3 standard drinks	Women: 4+ standard drinks (Binge) Men: 5+ standard drinks (Binge)
Health Impact	Lowered risk, but not eliminated. Benefits often overstated.	Significantly increased risk of acute and chronic health problems.
Associated Behaviors	Controlled consumption, often with meals.	Impaired judgment, risky behavior, loss of control.
Effect on Liver	Minimal strain on a healthy liver.	Increased risk of fatty liver, cirrhosis.
Overall Risk	Health-related risks are minimized but not eliminated.	Markedly increased risk for accidents, injuries, and alcohol use disorder.

Recognizing and Addressing Excessive Consumption

For those who enjoy wine, it is essential to be honest about one's consumption habits. Many people find their drinking gradually increases over time, and what once felt like a moderate habit can become an excessive one. Being mindful of the standard drink guidelines and tracking weekly intake can be a helpful step. The key is to establish a pattern of moderate consumption, or if needed, abstinence, to minimize health risks. If you are concerned about your drinking, consider consulting a healthcare provider or a specialist in addiction for guidance and support.

Conclusion

In summary, what is considered excessive drinking of wine is defined by both the quantity consumed on a single occasion and the total amount over a week, with different standards for men and women. Binge drinking and heavy drinking patterns both fall under the category of excessive consumption, and both pose serious risks to short-term and long-term health. Understanding these official guidelines from public health authorities like the CDC and NIAAA provides a clear framework for evaluating your own consumption and making healthier choices. For those struggling to moderate their drinking, seeking professional help is a crucial step toward protecting your well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard drink of wine is considered to be a 5-ounce glass (148 ml). This is an important measurement for following health guidelines and accurately tracking your alcohol consumption.

For women, one glass of wine per night is considered moderate. For men, up to two glasses are typically within moderate limits. However, any daily drinking can create a cumulative risk, and it is advised to have several alcohol-free days per week.

The guidelines are different because men and women process alcohol differently. On average, women have higher body fat and lower body water content, which can lead to a higher blood alcohol concentration after consuming the same amount of wine as a man.

Long-term health risks include liver disease (like cirrhosis), certain types of cancer, cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease, and mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

No, a high tolerance does not negate the health risks. In fact, a high tolerance might be a sign of alcohol dependence and should be seen as a warning sign, not an indicator of safety.

Signs include consistently exceeding the weekly limits, needing more wine to feel the same effects, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, or continuing to drink despite negative consequences. If you are concerned, seeking professional advice is recommended.

While some past research suggested benefits to moderate drinking, particularly red wine, current research indicates these benefits were likely overstated. The overall consensus is that the less alcohol you drink, the better it is for your health.