Alcohol
What You Don't Know Can Harm You
If you are like many Americans, you may drink alcohol occasionally. Or, like
others, you may drink moderate amounts of alcohol on a more regular basis. If
you are a woman or someone over the age of 65, this means that you have no more
than one drink per day; if you are a man, this means that you have no more than
two drinks per day. Drinking at these levels usually is not associated with
health risks and can help to prevent certain forms of heart disease.
But did you know that even 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 and problems with
family, friends, and coworkers? This booklet explains some of the consequences
of drinking that you may not have considered.
What Is a Drink
A standard drink is:
- 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 its alcohol content than most other brewed beverages.
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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, at the same time, 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 (see the box, "What Is a
Drink?"). And the more alcohol you consume, the more impaired your driving
skills will be. Although most States set the 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 are taking 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. And if you are taking large
doses of the painkiller acetaminophen and drinking 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; and
- Committing or being the victim of violence.
Alcohol-Related Birth Defects
If you are a pregnant woman or one who is trying to conceive, you can prevent
alcohol-related birth defects by not drinking alcohol during your pregnancy.
Alcohol can cause a range of birth defects, the most serious being fetal alcohol
syndrome (FAS). Children born with alcohol-related birth defects can have
lifelong learning and behavior problems. Those born with FAS have physical
abnormalities, mental impairment, and behavior problems. Because scientists do
not know exactly how much alcohol it takes to cause alcohol-related birth
defects, it is best not to drink any alcohol during this time.
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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. Women may
develop alcohol-related health problems after consuming less alcohol than men do
over a shorter period of time. 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,
or 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), and abdominal pain. Alcoholic hepatitis can cause death if drinking
continues. If drinking stops, this condition often is reversible. About 10 to 20
percent of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver.
Alcoholic cirrhosis can cause death if drinking continues. Although cirrhosis is
not reversible, if drinking stops, one's chances of survival improve
considerably. Those with cirrhosis often feel better, and the functioning of
their liver may improve, if they stop drinking. 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, such as men
over the age of 45 and women after menopause. But 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
levels by producing insulin. The pancreas also has a role in digesting the food
we eat. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to pancreatitis, or inflammation of
the pancreas. This condition is associated with severe abdominal pain and weight
loss and can be fatal.
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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.
Research Directions
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National
Institutes of Health, supports about 90 percent of the Nation's research on
alcohol use and related consequences. Through this research, NIAAA and the
researchers it supports make an implicit promise--that alcohol research will
yield practical applications that will help those who suffer as a result of
alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Today, alcohol researchers are working on the
cutting edge of medical science to answer questions such as:
- Who is at risk for alcohol-related problems?
- How does alcohol affect the body, including the brain?
- How is the risk for alcoholism inherited?
- What are the health benefits and risks of moderate drinking?
- What therapies, including medications, show promise for treating alcohol dependence more effectively?
Each new discovery made by alcohol researchers provides a piece of the answer
to the ages old question of how to prevent and treat the alcohol-related
troubles that plague individuals, families, and society. We see the future of
alcohol research both as a challenge and as a reward: A challenge, because with
more answers come more questions, and we still have far to go. A reward, because
the answers we find ultimately will help diminish a public health threat that
has existed for far too long.
If you or someone you know needs help or more information, contact:
- Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters
1600 Corporate Landing
Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
Internet address:
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
Makes referrals to local Al-Anon groups, which are support groups for
spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic person's life. Also makes
referrals to Alateen groups, which offer support to children of
alcoholics.
- Locations of Al-Anon or Alateen meetings worldwide can be obtained by
calling 1-888-4AL-ANON Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (e.s.t.).
- Free informational materials can be obtained by calling the toll-free
numbers (operating 7 days per week, 24 hours per day):
- U.S.: (800) 356-9996
- Canada: (800) 714-7498
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services
475 Riverside Drive,
11th Floor
New York, NY 10115
(212) 870-3400
Internet address:
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
Makes referrals to local AA groups and provides informational materials
on the AA program. Many cities and towns also have a local AA office listed in
the telephone book.
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
12
West 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
(800) NCA-CALL
Internet address:
http://www.ncadd.org
Provides telephone numbers of local NCADD affiliates (who can provide
information on local treatment resources) and educational materials on
alcoholism via the above toll-free number.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Scientific
Communications Branch
6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 409
Bethesda, MD
20892-7003
(301) 443-3860
Internet address: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov
Makes available free publications on all aspects of alcohol abuse and
alcoholism. Many are available in Spanish. Call, write, or search the
World Wide Web site for a list of publications and ordering information.
NIH Publication No. 99-4323
Printed 1999