Understanding alcohol risk: Federal guidance on alcohol consumption
Edited by Isabella Hollingsworth-Sons, Staff Writer
As federal health officials from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services update national guidance on everything from nutrition to alcohol consumption, Governors State University (GovState) professors raise important questions about how this shift in communication shapes public understanding.
Federal guidance has been updated, replacing the MyPlate nutrition model with a revised version of the Food Pyramid, which had been retired in 2011. This new pyramid features an inverted structure, in contrast to earlier versions, and notably does not provide clear recommendations regarding alcohol consumption.
Jessica Love Jordan (pictured right), assistant professor of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health in the College of Health and Human Services, studies substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns, with a focus on culturally responsive practice for marginalized populations and behavioral health workforce development. She says the recently released 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans — which advise people to “consume less for better overall health” — reflect a growing recognition of alcohol’s health risks but may leave consumers without the clarity they need to make informed decisions.
“Federal guidance plays an important role in shaping how people interpret health risk,” Love Jordan said. “The current recommendation to ‘consume less’ sends a valuable message, but without specific benchmarks, it can be difficult for individuals to translate that into meaningful action.”
Previous federal guidelines included daily limits that helped define moderate versus higher-risk drinking. While not perfect, those benchmarks provided a practical framework for understanding alcohol-related risk. Love Jordan notes that without clear reference points, individuals may struggle to assess whether changes in their behavior meaningfully reduce health risks.
“For example, someone who reduces their intake from six drinks per day to five is clearly making progress,” she said. “But there is still a significant risk associated with consuming five drinks daily. Without clearer guidance, it becomes harder for people to understand where meaningful risk reduction begins and where harmful use is still likely.”
She points to similar challenges seen in public perceptions of cannabis. As legalization expands, some individuals interpret legality as an absence of harm, despite ongoing evidence of potential health risks. “Just because a substance is legal or socially accepted does not mean it is risk-free,” she said. “Without clear public health benchmarks, professionals must work harder to counter misconceptions and clarify that generalized guidance does not equate to safety.”
At GovState, Love Jordan’s research and teaching emphasize culturally responsive approaches that consider how social context, access to care, and systemic inequities shape substance use and recovery. She hopes that ongoing public dialogue and research will lead to clearer, more actionable guidance that supports both prevention and treatment.
Interested in learning more about Addiction Studies? Learn more about the Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health (ASBH) at Governors State University, a nationally recognized academic unit committed to preparing students for meaningful careers in behavioral health, substance use treatment, and community wellness by clicking here.