If you are like many Americans, you may drink alcohol occasionally. Or,
like others, you may drink moderate amounts of alcohol on a more regular
basis. If you are a woman or someone over the age of 65, this means you
have no more than one drink per day; if you are a man, this means you have
no more than two drinks per day. Drinking at these levels usually is not
associated with health risks and may help prevent certain forms of heart
disease.
But did you know that even moderate drinking, under certain
circumstances, can be risky? If you drink at more than moderate
levels, you may be putting yourself at risk for serious problems with your
health as well as problems with family, friends, and coworkers. This
booklet explains some of the problems that can be caused by drinking that
you may not have considered.
What Is a Drink?
A standard drink is:
- One 12-ounce bottle of beer* or wine cooler
- One 5-ounce glass of wine
- 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
*Different beers have different
alcohol content. Malt liquor has a higher alcohol content than most
other brewed beverages. |
Drinking and Driving
It may surprise you to learn that you don’t need to drink much alcohol before your driving
ability is affected. For example, certain driving skills can be impaired by blood alcohol
concentrations (BACs) as low as 0.02 percent. (The BAC refers to the amount of alcohol in the
blood.) A 160-pound man will have a BAC of about 0.04 percent 1 hour after drinking two 12-ounce
beers or two other standard drinks on an empty stomach (see the box, “What Is a Drink?”). And the
more alcohol you drink, the more impaired your driving skills will be. Although most States set the
BAC limit for adults who drive after drinking at 0.08 percent, driving skills are affected at much
lower levels.
Interactions With Medications
Drinking alcohol while taking certain medications can cause problems.
In fact, there are more than 150 medications that should not be mixed with
alcohol. For example, if you are taking antihistamines for a cold or
allergy and drink alcohol, the alcohol will increase the drowsiness that
the medicine alone can cause, making driving or operating machinery even
more dangerous. And if you are taking large doses of the painkiller
acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and drinking alcohol, you are risking
serious liver damage. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before drinking
any amount of alcohol if you are taking any over-the-counter or
prescription medicines.
Social and Legal Problems
The more heavily you drink, the greater the
potential for problems at home, at work, with friends, and even with
strangers. These problems may include:
- Arguments with or separation from your spouse and other family
members;
- Strained relationships with coworkers;
- Absence from or lateness to work with increasing frequency;
- Loss of employment due to decreased productivity; and
- Committing or being the victim of violence.
Alcohol-Related Birth Defects
If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you should not
drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can cause a
range of birth defects, and children exposed to alcohol before birth can
have lifelong learning and behavioral problems. The most serious problem
that can be caused by drinking during pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome
(FAS). Children born with FAS have severe physical, mental, and
behavioral problems. Because scientists do not know exactly how much
alcohol it takes to cause alcohol-related birth defects, it is best not to
drink any alcohol during this time.
Long-Term Health Problems
Some problems, like those mentioned above, can occur after drinking
over a relatively short period of time. But other problems—such as liver
disease, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and pancreatitis—often
develop more gradually and may become evident only after many years of
heavy drinking. Women may develop alcohol-related health problems sooner
than men, and from drinking less alcohol than men. Because alcohol affects
nearly every organ in the body, long-term heavy drinking increases the
risk for many serious health problems, some of which are described below.
Alcohol-related liver disease. More
than 2 million Americans suffer from alcohol-related liver disease. Some
drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, as a
result of heavy drinking over a long period of time. Its symptoms include
fever, jaundice (abnormal yellowing of the skin, eyeballs, and urine), and
abdominal pain. Alcoholic hepatitis can cause death if drinking continues.
If drinking stops, the condition may be reversible. About 10 to 20 percent
of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver.
People with cirrhosis should not drink alcohol. Although treatment for the
complications of cirrhosis is available, a liver transplant may be needed
for someone with life-threatening cirrhosis. Alcoholic cirrhosis can cause
death if drinking continues. Cirrhosis is not reversible, but if a person
with cirrhosis stops drinking, the chances of survival improve
considerably. People with cirrhosis often feel better, and liver function
may improve, after they stop drinking. About 4 million Americans are
infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can cause liver cirrhosis and
liver cancer. Some heavy drinkers also have HCV infection. As a result,
their livers may be damaged not only by alcohol but by HCV-related
problems as well. People with HCV infection are more susceptible to
alcohol-related liver damage and should think carefully about the risks
when considering whether to drink alcohol.
Heart disease. Moderate drinking can
have beneficial effects on the heart, especially among those at greatest
risk for heart attacks, such as men over the age of 45 and women after
menopause. However, heavy drinking over a long period of time increases
the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and some kinds of stroke.
Cancer. Long-term heavy
drinking increases the risk of certain forms of cancer, especially cancer
of the esophagus, mouth, throat, and larynx (voice box). Research suggests
that, in some women, as little as one drink per day can slightly raise the
risk of breast cancer. Drinking may also increase the risk for developing
cancer of the colon and rectum.
Pancreatitis. The pancreas helps
regulate the body’s blood sugar levels by producing insulin. The pancreas
also has a role in digesting the food we eat. Long-term heavy drinking can
lead to pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis
can cause severe abdominal pain and can be fatal. Chronic pancreatitis is
associated with chronic pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
If you or someone you know has been drinking heavily, there is a risk
of developing serious health problems. Because some of these health
problems can be treated, it is important to see a doctor for help. Your
doctor will be able to advise you about your health and your drinking.
Research Directions
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA),
National Institutes of Health, supports about 90 percent of the Nation’s
research on alcohol use and its related consequences. Today, alcohol
researchers are working on the cutting edge of medical science to answer
questions such as:
- Who is at greatest risk for developing alcohol problems?
- What are the effects of binge drinking, particularly among young
people?
- When does alcohol use increase the risk of violent behavior?
- Why are women more vulnerable to alcohol’s effects?
Each new research discovery leads us to better ways to
prevent and treat the alcohol-related problems that harm individuals,
families, and society.
If you or someone you know needs help or more information, contact:
Al-Anon Family Group
Headquarters 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway Virginia
Beach, VA 23454-5617 Internet address: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/
Makes referrals to local Al-Anon groups, which are support groups
for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic person’s life.
Also makes referrals to Alateen groups, which offer support to children of
alcoholics.
- Locations of Al-Anon or Alateen meetings worldwide
can be obtained by calling (888)4ALANON (425-2666)
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (E.S.T.).
- Free informational materials can be obtained by
calling (757) 563-1600, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6
p.m.
- U.S.: (888) 4ALANON
- Canada: (800) 443-4525; 24 hours
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World
Services 475 Riverside Drive, 11th Floor New York, NY
10115 (212) 870-3400 Internet address:
http://www.aa.org/
Makes referrals to local AA groups and provides informational
materials on the AA program. Many cities and towns also have a local AA
office listed in the telephone book.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence (NCADD) 20 Exchange Place, Suite 2902 New
York, NY 10005 (800) 622-2255 Internet address:
http://www.ncadd.org/
Provides telephone numbers of local NCADD affiliates (who can
provide information on local treatment resources) and educational
materials on alcoholism via the above toll-free number.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism (NIAAA) 6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite
409 Bethesda, MD 20892-7003 (301) 443-3860 Internet
address:
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/
Makes available free publications on all aspects of alcohol abuse
and alcoholism. Many are available in Spanish. Call, write, or search the
NIAAA Web site for a list of publications and ordering
information.
Additional Reading
Alcoholism: Getting the
Factsdescribes what alcoholism
and alcohol abuse are and offers useful information on when and where to
seek help. English version: NIH Publication Number 964153; Spanish
version: NIH Publication Number 994153S.
Drinking and Your
Pregnancyexplains how drinking
can hurt a developing baby, the problems that children born with fetal
alcohol syndrome have, how to stop drinking, and where to go for help. NIH
Publication Number 964101; Spanish version: NIH Publication Number
974102.
How to Cut Down on Your
Drinkingpresents tips for those
who are acting on medical advice to reduce their alcohol consumption.
English version: NIH Publication Number 963770; Spanish version: NIH
Publication Number 963770S.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alcoholism
and Alcohol Abuseprovides
answers to frequently asked questions about alcoholism and alcohol abuse.
NIH Publication Number 014735; Spanish version: NIH Publication
Number 024735S.
Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About
Alcoholoffers guidance to
parents and caregivers of young people ages 10 to 14 on preventing
underage drinking. English version: NIH Publication Number 004314;
Spanish version: NIH Publication Number 004314S.
To order, write to: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,
Publications Distribution Center, P.O. Box 10686, Rockville, MD
20849-0686. The full text of all of the above publications is
available on NIAAA’s Web site (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/).
PDF version
Alcohol: What You Don't Know Can Harm You
(in Spanish)
NIH Publication No. 99–4323, Revised 2002
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