Alcohol Use

Excessive Drinking

Excessive drinking includes heavy drinking.

• Binge drinking is the most common type of alcohol abuse and is defined as consuming 4 or more drinks for women during a single occasion and for men, 5 or more drinks during a single occasion.

• Heavy drinking is defined as consuming: 8 or more drinks per week for women and for men, 15 or more drinks per week.

Many people fall into these categories. While it may not seem like drinking this amount of alcohol may be an issue it certainly can lead to problems.

Long Term Health Issues Related to Excessive Alcohol Consumption

• High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.

• Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, liver.

• Learning and memory problems- including dementia.

• Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

• Alcohol dependence or alcoholism.

Short Term Issues Caused by Alcohol

There are many other problems drinking affects in the short-term. Alcohol affects our decision-making abilities as well as our motor skills. This leads to things such as risky sexual behavior, physical injuries due to falls, assault situations with other people, and motor vehicle crashes. When you drink too much, you do not make the best choices. Poor choices while being under the influence of alcohol leave many people injured, put into jail, or killed every single year.

Summary

If you are going to drink, it is important to do so responsibly. A spilt second decision under the influence of alcohol can change your entire life. Over the long term, alcohol abuse will negatively affect your health. Think about your health, your life, and your family before you drink the drink that puts you over the edge.