Did you know that too much alcohol can harm your body? Learn about the potential risks of over-indulging in your favorite libations this holiday season.
December 2022. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn't looked back.
In this guide, we'll look at some ways that excessive alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on your health and well-being. We'll also offer some tips on how to drink responsibly. So, if you occasionally enjoy a drink or two (or three), read on to learn more about the dangers of overdoing it.
The Dangers of Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to many health problems, including liver damage, brain damage, and heart disease. It can also cause high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. In short, it's not good for you.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is responsible for more than 140,000 deaths in the United States annually. That's more than double the deaths caused by all illicit drugs combined.
So, what counts as "too much" drinking? The CDC defines binge drinking as consuming more than five drinks in a single sitting for men and over four drinks for women. They define heavy drinking as having eight or more drinks per week for men and six or more drinks for women. And they define moderate drinking as having two drinks a day for men and one for women.
Of course, these guidelines are just that, guidelines. Your risk depends on many factors, including age, weight, overall health, and family history of alcoholism. So, it's best to talk to your doctor if you're wondering whether your drinking habits are putting you at risk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is responsible for more than 140,000 deaths in the United States annually. That's more than double the deaths caused by all illicit drugs combined.
So, what counts as "too much" drinking? The CDC defines binge drinking as consuming more than five drinks in a single sitting for men and over four drinks for women. They define heavy drinking as having eight or more drinks per week for men and six or more drinks for women. And they define moderate drinking as having two drinks a day for men and one for women.
Of course, these guidelines are just that, guidelines. Your risk depends on many factors, including age, weight, overall health, and family history of alcoholism. So, it's best to talk to your doctor if you're wondering whether your drinking habits are putting you at risk.
Is Alcohol Addictive?
While we're on the subject of risk, it's worth mentioning that alcohol is an addictive substance. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 18 million adults in the United States suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD).
AUD is a chronic disease characterized by an inability to control one's drinking. As a result, people with AUD may feel like they need to drink alcohol to function, and they may keep drinking even when it's causing problems. A massage can help to relax the muscles and ease chronic pain, and you don’t need a professional massage therapist to enjoy it. There are many self-massage techniques and massage guns you can try, with free instruction videos available online.
If you're worried that you or someone you know may be struggling with AUD, the first step is learning about the signs. These include drinking more than you intended to, feeling the need to drink to relax or feel better, being unable to stick to set limits on your drinking, and having withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back or quit.
Getting help is essential if you're experiencing any of these signs. Many treatment options are available, and with the proper support, it is possible to recover from AUD and live a healthy, sober life. You might start by contacting the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
Getting help is essential if you're experiencing any of these signs. Many treatment options are available, and with the proper support, it is possible to recover from AUD and live a healthy, sober life. You might start by contacting the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
Does Alcohol Affect Your Weight?
Alcoholic beverages can range from under 100 calories (e.g., light beer or hard seltzer with a splash of juice) to 250+ calories (e.g., a pina colada or a chocolate martini).
Generally, alcohol is not the best choice for weight loss because, aside from being high in calories and sugar, it can make you feel hungry and lead to poor food choices. It also stops your body from burning fat, which is counter-intuitive to those on a weight loss journey
Generally, alcohol is not the best choice for weight loss because, aside from being high in calories and sugar, it can make you feel hungry and lead to poor food choices. It also stops your body from burning fat, which is counter-intuitive to those on a weight loss journey
Does Alcohol Affect Your Mood?
Alcohol is a depressant, which means it can cause feelings of sadness and fatigue. However, it can also lead to euphoria and relaxation during the experience of feeling inebriated.
How you feel after drinking alcohol depends on various factors, including how much you drink, your mood before drinking, and your physiology. And it's usually best to avoid drinking alcohol if you're feeling down, as it may worsen depression and other mental health conditions.
For example, veterans with PTSD are at a higher risk of suicide if they regularly consume alcohol. It can also disrupt your sleep, and inadequate sleep has the potential to cause a variety of mood issues on its own.
How you feel after drinking alcohol depends on various factors, including how much you drink, your mood before drinking, and your physiology. And it's usually best to avoid drinking alcohol if you're feeling down, as it may worsen depression and other mental health conditions.
For example, veterans with PTSD are at a higher risk of suicide if they regularly consume alcohol. It can also disrupt your sleep, and inadequate sleep has the potential to cause a variety of mood issues on its own.
Does Alcohol Affect Your Overall Health?
Excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, digestive problems, liver disease, and various types of cancer. Drinking can also affect your immune system, pancreas, and brain function.
In addition, alcohol may worsen chronic pain over time, despite any short-term relief it can offer while inebriated. So, whether you're concerned about your heart health, risk of cancer, or chronic pain, it's often best to limit your alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether.
In addition, alcohol may worsen chronic pain over time, despite any short-term relief it can offer while inebriated. So, whether you're concerned about your heart health, risk of cancer, or chronic pain, it's often best to limit your alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether.
Tips for Drinking Responsibly
If you enjoy drinking alcohol but want to make sure you're doing so safely, there are a few things you can do:
Know your limits: Pay attention to how your body responds to alcohol, and don't exceed those limits.
Eat before you drink: Food in your stomach can help slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.
Pace yourself: Sip your drinks slowly instead of gulping them down. And take breaks between alcoholic beverages by having a glass of water in between.
Avoid risky situations: Don't drink and drive, and don't put yourself in other conditions where you could be putting yourself or others at risk (e.g., swimming).
Know when to stop: If you feel intoxicated after just one or two drinks, it's probably time to call it a night — no matter how much fun you're having.
Get help if you need it: If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, don't be afraid to seek professional help. Many resources are available to help you get on the road to recovery.
Eat before you drink: Food in your stomach can help slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream.
Pace yourself: Sip your drinks slowly instead of gulping them down. And take breaks between alcoholic beverages by having a glass of water in between.
Avoid risky situations: Don't drink and drive, and don't put yourself in other conditions where you could be putting yourself or others at risk (e.g., swimming).
Know when to stop: If you feel intoxicated after just one or two drinks, it's probably time to call it a night — no matter how much fun you're having.
Get help if you need it: If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, don't be afraid to seek professional help. Many resources are available to help you get on the road to recovery.
Drinking alcohol can be enjoyable and safe for many people when done responsibly and in moderation. Following tips like those above can help ensure that your next night out is fun and safe.
Be Mindful of Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Remember, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage, brain damage, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It can also cause addiction, weight gain, sleep disturbances, and poor decision-making.
And if you're turning to alcohol for pain relief, there are better ways to manage chronic pain. For example, the Kailo Pain Patch is easy to apply and designed to relieve pain in seconds. Scientists theorize that it works by interrupting your body's electrical signals. And a recent clinical study showed a significant increase in quality of life when switching to Kailo from oral medication.
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
And if you're turning to alcohol for pain relief, there are better ways to manage chronic pain. For example, the Kailo Pain Patch is easy to apply and designed to relieve pain in seconds. Scientists theorize that it works by interrupting your body's electrical signals. And a recent clinical study showed a significant increase in quality of life when switching to Kailo from oral medication.
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
