HBO: Risky Drinking
Are you a risky drinker? Nearly 70% of American adults drink alcohol and nearly 1/3 of them engage in problem drinking at some point in their lives. Produced by HBO Documentary Films and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) of the National Institutes of Health, Risky Drinking is a no-holds-barred look at a national epidemic through the intimate stories of four people whose drinking dramatically affects their relationships.
Through immersive storytelling, expert commentary and animation, this 85-minute film offers a new perspective on alcohol use and misuse as it falls along a broad spectrum of risk and includes life-saving information about how to help people dial back or stop their drinking. The film aims to provoke a much needed conversation about how to identify risky drinking and to suggest alternatives to a one-size- fits-all approach that prevents many people from seeking help.
For more information about the film, additional resources, and information about how to view the film on other HBO platforms, please visit www.hbo.com/documentaries/risky-drinking
Documentary Trailer
View the HBO Documentary Trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL4gaBfrRLk
Meet the Researchers
Dr. George F. Koob
Dr. George F. Koob is an internationally-recognized expert on alcohol and stress, and the neurobiology of alcohol and drug addiction. He has authored more than 650 peer-reviewed scientific papers and is a co-author of The Neurobiology of Addiction, a comprehensive textbook reviewing the most critical neurobiology of addiction research conducted over the past 50 years. Read full bio
Dr. Deidra Roach
Dr. Roach has more than 30 years of experience in the field of addiction treatment. She currently serves as a medical project officer in the Division of Treatment and Recovery Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Read full bio
Story Spotlights
Dangerous Drinking
Alcohol Blackouts
How does an alcohol blackout differ from “passing out” after drinking? What are the possible dangerous effects?
Evaluate Your Own Drinking
Self-help tools to assess and change risky drinking behavior.
Mom's Happy Hour
Alcohol and Women’s Health
Women who drink beyond moderate levels can face a variety of health risks.
What's "at-risk" or "heavy" drinking?
It makes a difference both how much you drink on any day and how often you have a "heavy drinking day."
The Problem with Binge Drinking
What Is a Standard Drink?
You may be drinking more than you realize
Moderate and Binge Drinking
Some drinking patterns could put you at risk
The End Game
Older Adults and Alcohol
As people age, they may become more sensitive to alcohol’s effects.
How can you reduce your risks?
Ready to make a change? Choose your approach.
Find Resources
Rethinking Drinking (NIAAA)
Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help
College Drinking – Changing the Culture
SAMHSA Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
Al-Anon Family Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Moderation Management
Secular Organizations for Sobriety
Smart Recovery
Women for Sobriety