Alcohol: what you don't know can harm you
Adapted from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism by HealthGate Editorial Staff
Drinking occasionally or moderately—no more than two drinks per day for a man—is usually not associated with health risks. In fact, moderate consumption of alcohol may actually help prevent certain forms of heart disease.
But did you know that moderate drinking, under certain circumstances, is not risk free? And that 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 article explains some of the consequences of drinking that you may not have considered.
What is a drink?
A standard drink is defined as:
- One 12-ounce bottle of beer* or wine cooler
- One 5-ounce glass of wine
- 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits
*Beer ranges considerably in its alcohol content, with malt liquor being higher in 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 ability to drive becomes impaired. For example, certain driving skills—such as steering a car while responding to changes in traffic—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 consuming two 12-ounce beers or two other standard drinks on an empty stomach.
And the more alcohol you consume, the more impaired your driving skills will be. Although most states set the legal BAC limit for adults who drive after drinking at 0.08 to 0.10 percent, impairment of driving skills begins at much lower levels.
Interactions with medications
Alcohol interacts negatively with more than 150 medications. For example, if you take antihistamines for a cold or allergy and drink alcohol, the alcohol will increase the drowsiness that the medication alone can cause, making driving or operating machinery even more hazardous.
If you take large doses of the painkiller acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol, aspirin-free Anacin) and drink 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 medications.
Interpersonal 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 estrangement 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
- Committing or being the victim of violence
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 long-term heavy drinking.
Because alcohol affects many organs in the body, long-term heavy drinking puts you at risk for developing 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, which is inflammation of the liver, as a result of long-term heavy drinking. Its symptoms include:
- Fever
- Jaundice (abnormal yellowing of the skin, eyeballs, and urine)
- Abdominal pain
If drinking continues, alcoholic hepatitis can cause death. If drinking stops, this condition is often reversible.
About 10-20% of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic cirrhosis—scarring of the liver. If drinking continues, alcoholic cirrhosis can cause death. Although cirrhosis is not reversible, if drinking stops, one's chances of survival improve considerably; they often feel better, and their liver function may improve. Although liver transplantation may be needed as a last resort, many people with cirrhosis who abstain from alcohol may never need liver transplantation. In addition, treatment for the complications of cirrhosis is available.
Heart disease.
Moderate drinking can have beneficial effects on the heart, especially among those at greatest risk for heart attacks. This includes men over the age of 45 and women after menopause. However, long-term heavy drinking increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some kinds of stroke.
Cancer.
Long-term heavy drinking increases the risk of developing certain forms of cancer, especially cancer of the esophagus, mouth, throat, and voice box. Women are at slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer if they drink two or more drinks per day. Drinking may also increase the risk for developing cancer of the colon and rectum.
Pancreatitis.
The pancreas helps to regulate the body's blood sugar level by producing insulin. The pancreas also has a role in digesting the food we eat. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. This condition is associated with severe abdominal pain and weight loss and can be fatal.
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 are both reversible and treatable, it is important to see your doctor for help. Your doctor will be able to advise you about both your health and your drinking.
Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Last reviewed December 2001 by Medical Review Board
