Excessive alcohol consumption is risky behavior that can lead not only to dangerous situations such as blackouts but also to long-term health problems. If you have ever had an alcohol-induced blackout, it may be easy to ignore it by saying it’s an ordinary part of the drinking culture, or if it’s not something that happens constantly, it may seem like nothing major. However, this risky behavior of binge drinking and excessive alcohol consumption, regardless of how often it happens, can lead not only to dangerous situations but also to long-term health problems.
The Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) found that around 88,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, including alcohol accidents and chronic health problems such as liver cancer. In addition, excessive drinking is the cause of 10% of deaths in individuals aged 20–64. A better understanding of how heavy drinking can have consequences in your life can help prevent the problematic dimensions of alcohol use that can eventually lead to addiction.
What is Excessive Drinking?
While there are definitions of what reasonable or low-risk alcohol use is, many healthcare professionals may argue that there is actually no safe alcohol consumption amount. However, when it comes to the amount of “harmless” drink consumption, the 2015–2020 American Dietary Guideline for women is 1 per day; accepts up to 2 standard drinks a day for men.
A person’s liver can process 1 standard drink or 17.74 mL (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol per hour. Usually, it contains 17.74 mL of pure alcohol:
- 350 mL of beer or a single bottle of 5% alcohol.
- 236 mL malt liquor with 7% alcohol content.
- 147 mL wine with 12% alcohol content.
- 44.36 mL of hard liquor or a single shot with a 40% alcohol content.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) classifies excessive drinking over a two-hour period into 4 or more alcoholic beverages for women and 5 or more alcoholic beverages for men. According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Prevention (CDC), excessive drinking is a serious but preventable problem in the United States, which cost the government $ 249 billion in 2010, causing healthcare spending, loss of workplace productivity, and trial expenses.
Chronic Health Effects of Excessive Drinking
High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease and Stroke
Heavy drinking and excessive drinking can cause heart disease, including cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), as well as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Liver disease
Heavy alcohol use damages the liver and can lead to fatty liver disease (steatosis), hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
Cancer
Excessive alcohol use can be found in cancers of the mouth and throat, throat (larynx), esophagus, colon and rectum, liver, and breast (in women). The less alcohol a person drinks, the lower the risk.
Immediate Health Effects of Excessive Drinking
Injuries, Violence, and Poisoning
Drinking too much alcohol, including draws, including motor vehicle accidents, falls, drowning, and burns. Also use violently, including murder, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence. Alcohol is also poisoned by opioids and other substances, in overdoses.
Unwanted Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections
Heavy drinking is higher in unprotected sex and having multiple sex partners. This is peace of mind and thinking about sexually transmitted, including HIV.
Poor Pregnancy Outcomes
There is no ‘safe’ use of alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrums in babies. He may also experience miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome.
Originally published at https://beermod.com.
