The Dangers of Drinking Alcohol
When it
comes to alcohol, how much is too much?
Health
Boost or Health Risk?
A large number of studies have shown that
moderate alcohol intake can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women. Moderate drinking means one drink
per day for women and one to two for men. The difference in amounts is because
of how men and women metabolize alcohol.
When you say one drink, the size of that drink
matters, one drink is equal to:
- 12
ounces of beer or
- 5 ounces
of wine or
- 1½
ounces of spirits (hard liquor such as gin or whiskey, 80-proof)
The Dangers of Drinking Too Much
Unfortunately, some people can’t stop at just one
or two drinks. Too much alcohol can result in serious health consequences.
Heavy alcohol intake can damage the liver, causing
cirrhosis, a fatal disease. Excessive drinking also can raise blood
pressure and
damage the heart, and is linked to many different cancers, including mouth,
esophagus, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. The health risks are
even greater for those who not only drink but smoke as well.
The consequences of excessive drinking can be
serious not only for the alcoholic, but also for their friends, family,
and even innocent bystanders. According to the National Institute of Alcohol
Abuse and Alcoholism, more than 16,000 people die each year in automobile
accidents that involve drunken drivers. Other data indicates that one in three
violent crimes involves the use of alcohol and as many as three out of four
violent incidents against a spouse involve alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant. It
makes people sad over time, not happy. When depressed, people can do some
rather unfortunate things to themselves and their loved ones.
Signs of Alcohol Abuse
How
can you tell if you or someone you know might have a drinking problem?
Physicians often use the CAGE test, which involves four simple questions :
- Cutting down. Have you ever felt
you should cut down on your drinking?
- Annoyance by criticism. Have people annoyed
you by criticizing your drinking?
- Guilty feeling. Have you ever felt
guilty about drinking alcohol?
- Eye-openers. Have you ever had a
drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a
hangover (an “eye-opener”)?
If the answer to just one of these questions is
yes, a drinking problem is likely and professional help is needed.
Other signs of a drinking problem:
- You find
you can’t stop drinking once you start.
- You’re
having problems at work or at school.
- Other
people notice your drinking and comment on it.
- You
can’t remember what you did when you were drinking alcohol.
Moderation
Rules
Consuming
no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks for men is
safe, and perhaps even heart healthy. On the other hand, excessive drinking can
have serious consequences. If you think you may have a drinking problem or
suspect that someone you love does, seek professional help. Contact your family
physician or a support group for substance abuse before irreparable damage is
done.
