(BPT) - There's no denying that drinking is a widely accepted element of social life in America. Cocktail parties, evenings out, formal functions, and even a drink or two with dinner are customary practices. However, alcohol abuse is a major problem in this country and, on a different level, many "social drinkers" probably don't even know that they have a drinking problem.

So how much alcohol is too much? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, at-risk drinking, for men, is more than four drinks in any one day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, it is more than three drinks in a day or more than seven drinks per week.  However, for some individuals, any drinking can be problematic: Women who are pregnant, people with certain health conditions or on particular medications, or those with a family history of alcohol abuse.

But then there are the millions of drinkers who don't fit any of these categories but may still have a problem with alcohol. These folks are even less likely to see their drinking as a potential risk. And bear in mind, even low-risk drinking is not no-risk drinking.