Title: Alcohol use
Course: Non-Communicable Diseases, Emergency Care and Mental Health Part 2 - Ethiopia (Full)

Alcohol use

Alcohol is a habit-forming substance that is present in varying amounts in beer, wine, and spirits. Examples of Ethiopian local drinks that contain alcohol are tella, tej, and areki (Figure 14.3).

Figure 14.3 People enjoying themselves using local drinks.

Moderate use of alcohol does not have major consequences for health; the substance use becomes problematic when someone uses a lot of alcohol, and/or consumes alcohol throughout the day, especially in the morning. Box 14.1 sets out the guidelines for healthy alcohol use. In addition to these guidelines, a person who drinks in the morning may well have health and social problems related to alcohol consumption.

Box 14.1 Maximum alcohol limits a person can drink

For men = 21 units per week (or on average three units per day)

For women = 14 units per week (or on average two units per day)

(1 standard unit = 6–8 grams of alcohol: a shot of spirit or areki contains approximately 1 unit of alcohol, a bottle of beer contains about 1.5 units and a glass of wine about 2 units.)

What is the recommended daily limit of beer intake for men?

Show answer

Men are advised not to drink more than two bottles of beer (or three alcohol units) on average per day.