While many people can drink in moderation without harming their health, others may find it difficult to reduce their alcohol use. Daily drinking might increase various health risks and may indicate alcoholism, necessitating treatment.Many persons in the United States consider themselves to be "moderate" or "social" drinkers. Moderate drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
Moderate alcohol intake has different health consequences depending on a person's overall health, the amount of alcohol consumed, and other factors. Drinking moderately does not always require having a drink every day. Many people who consider themselves moderate drinkers only drink once or twice a week.
Daily drinking might have more complicated effects and consequences. People who have a drinking problem are more likely to
The Short-Term Effects of Alcohol:
Alcohol has a number of short-term effects on the brain and body, affecting people's behavior, their ability to focus, and their coordination. Drinking alcohol can also increase your risk of engaging in dangerous behaviors such as drinking and driving.
Drinking and driving is one of the most dangerous and deadliest alcohol-related behaviors. In 2017, there were 10,874 documented alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities, one every 48 minutes, according to the US Department of Transportation.
In general, alcohol has mental and physical effects that make a person more prone to engage in risky behaviors, experience injuries and become a criminal perpetrator or victim.
The following are some of the short-term consequences of alcohol:
- poor decision-making
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- confusion
- concentration problems
- raised blood pressure
- lowered body temperature
- decreased coordination
- slower reaction time
- blurred or double vision
- fluctuations in mood
- blacking out from vomiting
Characteristics such as the amount of alcohol consumed, body size, age, and alcohol tolerance impact the extent to which a person experiences some or all of these short-term effects.
When Does Moderate Alcohol Consumption Become Dangerous?
Even moderate drinking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can be deadly in some settings.
Drinking in moderation or on a frequent basis may not be safe for persons who are:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- under the age of 21
- may have medical conditions that are exacerbated by alcohol use
- taking medications that interact with alcohol
- recovering from alcohol abuse or alcoholism
- operating large or powerful machinery, such as motor vehicles.
If you identify with one or more of the scenarios listed above, see your doctor before consuming alcohol. If you continue to drink while satisfying one of the above conditions, you risk harming your health and well-being.
Although there have been claims in the past that moderate drinking has some health benefits, the CDC now claims that this may not be the case. Even moderate drinking may increase the risk of several malignancies and liver disease, despite the fact that severe drinking is more dangerous than the occasional drink.
Effects in the Long Run:
The short-term consequences of drinking, such as an increased risk of injury and alcohol poisoning, are alarming. However, more research is pointing to the potentially harmful long-term effects of drinking, even at moderate levels.
Drinking alcohol can put you at risk for a variety of illnesses and disorders, including:
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- depression
- anxiety
- cancer (throat, stomach, oral cavity, breast cancer, esophagus, liver, rectum, colon)
- nutritional deficiencies
- memory problems
- erectile dysfunction or irregular menstruation
Drinking on a daily basis and insignificant amounts can induce weight gain, dehydration, and make persons with health issues like diabetes more vulnerable.
When a person consumes more than a moderate amount of alcohol – that is, more than one or two drinks per day – these long-term health problems are more likely to occur.
This isn't to say that drinking in moderation or on a daily basis is fully risk-free. Everyone who develops a drinking problem has to start someplace, and for many people, that place is moderate or everyday drinking.
Drinking alcohol on a daily basis is not a reliable indicator of
alcoholism or addiction.
The following are signs that someone may have a drinking problem:
- continuing to drink in the face of negative effects on health, relationships, or work-life
- unable to reduce or cut down on drinking
- experiencing cravings for alcohol
- needing to drink more than you used to in order to feel the same effects
- often drinking more than you expected or wanted to
- hiding or lying about how much you drink
If you're worried about your drinking habits or are concerned about how much you drink, talk to your doctor or an addiction specialist. Problems with alcoholism tend to worsen over time and can affect all elements of your life, not just your health.
Alcoholism and Addiction are two terms that are used interchangeably:
In any given year, millions of adults around the world are dependent or addicted to alcohol. Despite the fact that many adults who drink do not develop a major issue, a significant number of people develop a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.
These difficulties are issues that arise with time. Despite the fact that alcohol is the direct cause of addiction, the reasons why a person develops a drinking problem might be nuanced.
If you drink on a daily basis, one of the most crucial things to ask yourself is why. People commonly claim to drink to relieve stress or to feel more at ease in social situations, but these can also warning signs of a problem.
If you:
- feel unable to control your drinking
- are unable to stop drinking
- drink to avoid or numb feelings
- experience withdrawal effects (e.g. tremors, headaches, anxiety, sweating, insomnia)
- can’t imagine yourself not drinking on a daily basis
Then there's a chance you'll have an issue. Many persons who suffer from alcoholism or addiction are aware that their drinking habits are abnormal. Denial is also frequent, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain as the problem worsens.
Are you concerned about the amount of alcohol you consume on a daily basis?
If you are concerned about your own or someone else's drinking habits, the first step is to seek professional help.
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