Drinking too much can harm your health. Excessive alcohol use led to approximately 95, deaths and 2. In the United States, a standard drink contains 0.
Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in. Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men or 1 drink or less in a day for women , on days when alcohol is consumed.
By adhering to the Dietary Guidelines , you can reduce the risk of harm to yourself or others. Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:.
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Having one or fewer drinks per day for women and two or fewer drinks per day for men is considered moderate drinking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drinking alcohol too much or too often, or being unable to control alcohol consumption, can be a sign of a larger problem.
Two different issues that some people can develop are alcohol abuse or alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependency. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are marked differences. People who abuse alcohol drink too much on occasion and their drinking habits often result in risky behavior and poor judgment. Alcoholism, on the other hand, means a person needs alcohol to get through their day. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says that about 18 million people in the United States struggle with alcohol use disorders.
These disorders can be disruptive and life-threatening. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can cause serious health conditions. Alcohol worsens certain disorders, such as osteoporosis. It can lead to certain cancers. Alcohol abuse also makes it difficult to diagnose other health issues, such as heart disease. This is due to the way alcohol affects the circulatory system. Many people use alcohol with no ill effects. But anyone can experience its effects, such as illness, vomiting, or hangovers.
People who abuse alcohol may deny a problem, but there are ways to recognize alcohol abuse in others. People who abuse alcohol may drink often and experience family, work, or school problems because of drinking. However, they may downplay their drinking or lie about the amount of alcohol they consume. For some people, alcohol abuse and alcoholism results from psychological or social factors. They may drink to calm down or loosen up in social settings. Others use alcohol to cope with psychological issues or stress in their daily lives.
Asthma is a condition that causes breathing difficulties. Learn how alcohol use can affect asthma and how to lower the chances of an attack. Alcohol has short-term and long-term effects. Drinking a small amount can help people feel relaxed, but too much, too often, can be harmful for health. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the cluster of symptoms that may develop when someone who is alcohol dependent suddenly stops drinking.
Alcohol affects…. Definition Effects Symptoms and diagnosis Who is at risk? Treatment Contacting a doctor Summary Alcohol abuse, or alcohol use disorder AUD, is a medical condition in which a person continues to consume alcohol despite the adverse consequences. What is alcohol use disorder? Drinking in moderation For women: 1 drink or less per day For men: 2 drinks or less per day Alcohol misuse For women: 3 drinks or more per day OR more than 7 drinks per week For men: 4 drinks or more per day OR more than 14 drinks per week Binge drinking For women: More than 4 drinks over 2 hours For men: More than 5 drinks over 2 hours.
Effects of alcohol misuse. Symptoms and diagnosis of alcohol misuse. Who is at risk for alcohol misuse? Treatment for alcohol misuse. When to contact a doctor. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. What is alcohol abuse disorder, and what is the treatment?
Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Children of parents who have trouble with alcohol have a fourfold increased risk of the disorder.
Heavy drinking can seriously damage the liver, stomach, heart, brain, and nervous system. It also increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx voice box , and esophagus. Women who drink heavily are at higher risk of developing breast cancer and osteoporosis.
In addition, people who drink heavily may not eat adequately, so they may develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Although there are many risks to drinking alcohol, there also may be some benefits of moderate drinking. That means no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one drink a day for women.
Moderate drinking appears to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other circulatory diseases. There is evidence that a small amount of alcohol can boost levels of high-density lipoprotein HDL , the beneficial cholesterol in your blood, as well as reduce the for mation of plaque in blood vessels.
If too much alcohol is harmful but some is beneficial, how do you decide how much is okay? First, if you don't drink, don't start. The risks that come with drinking alcohol frequently outweigh the benefits. If you drink, do so in moderation—no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.
People who should not drink include women who are trying to conceive or who are pregnant, people who plan to drive or operate equipment that requires attention or skill, and people using prescription or over-the-counter medicines that can cause drowsiness. Alcohol can also alter the effectiveness and toxicity of medicines. Some medicines increase blood levels of alcohol or increase the adverse effects of alcohol on the brain. An alcohol abuse disorder is a serious and progressive condition.
But it is treatable. If you think you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol, learn more about the disease and ask your doctor for help. Early symptoms of an alcohol abuse disorder include drinking more than planned, continuing to drink alcohol despite the concerns of others, and frequent attempts to cut down or quit drinking.
As alcohol abuse progresses, the individual develops a tolerance to alcohol. He or she must drink more alcohol to get the desired good feeling or to get intoxicated.
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