April has come and gone. Have the drinks done the same? With the weather warming up in May, outdoor gatherings will be in full swing, (Cinco de Mayo, graduations, weddings!) and the alcoholic drinks might be, too. Did you realize that April was Alcohol Awareness month? You might wonder, What’s all the fuss about alcohol — enough that a whole month is dedicated to awareness? Well…LOTS!!
Whether you drink alcohol regularly, never drink, or are somewhere in between, we want our patients to be empowered with knowledge to make the best decisions for them. In this blog post, we’ve put together some quick facts, so you can easily learn more about alcohol use and its effects. And we’re committed to education for everyone, so feel free to share with friends and loved ones. Knowledge is power.
Effects & Potential Benefits
Did you know that alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance and alcoholism is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States? Excessive alcohol drinking also increases the risk of developing six different types of cancer, including mouth and throat, larynx, esophageal, colon and rectal, liver, and breast. Other risks associated with chronic long-term alcohol use include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems. While all this sounds scary, there are some positive health benefits associated with moderate alcohol consumption, which is defined as up to one glass of alcoholic beverage daily if you are a woman, and two if you are a man. Moderate alcohol intake is associated with protection from heart disease, diabetes, and gallstones. That glass of wine or cocktail is also associated with improved digestion when consumed before or after a meal. And drinking responsibly can be a wonderful way to de-stress and socialize with friends, which can further contribute to one’s health.
Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance and alcoholism is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
Despite the positive effects of alcohol, it’s important to note that even short-term alcohol use can have negative consequences. After consuming 1 to 2 drinks, a person can develop blurred vision, slurred speech, slow reaction times, impaired memory, and blackouts. And when these things happen, the risk for injuries (from falls, vehicle accidents, or drowning), violence (from sexual assault, date rape, or domestic violence), and risky sexual behavior (unprotected sexual encounters or multiple partners) increases.
A Look at Alcohol Use in the United States
Statistics on US alcohol use show that:
- Approximately 88,000 people die annually from alcohol-related causes.
- Every DAY, 29 people will die from an alcohol-impaired driver. That’s one death every 50 minutes!
- 97,000 college students report an alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape each year. And unfortunately, that statistic doesn’t account for those who choose not to report.
- One in 10 pregnant women will report alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which can result in physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities for children.
- Men statistically drink more alcohol and in a larger amount than women, however, females absorb more alcohol, feel the immediate effects of alcohol more quickly, and take longer to metabolize it. Because of this, women are more likely to face long-term health effects due to alcohol use.
Women are more likely to face long-term health effects due to alcohol use.
Risk Factors for Alcoholism
Although the cause of alcoholism is not exactly known, there are several factors that might put you at higher risk of developing the disease. They include having more than 15 drinks per week (for males) or 12 drinks per week (for females), binge drinking, or having a parent or close relative with a drinking disorder. You may also be at a higher risk for alcoholism if you are dealing with high levels of stress, or have a personal history of a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.
What About Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is when you consume a large amount of alcohol in a single session. Every now and then we encounter someone who takes their drinking a little too far. And sometimes that someone is our family member, a significant other, or a friend. There are many signs that could indicate someone might need help with their drinking, like the dad who polishes off a bottle of wine every night by himself, or maybe the friend you “babysit” whenever you go out because she drinks to the point where she can’t function or remember what she did.
Have you ever made excuses for someone you loved? Maybe you think it’s just one time, so no big deal, but one time turns into another and another. Maybe their actions or words when drunk hurt you or cause you (and probably them) embarrassment. If someone you love has drinking habits that concern you, then talk to them. Maybe they are concerned, too. If you need additional support, please check out the national hotline under the Resources section at the bottom of this post.
If someone you love has drinking habits that concern you, then talk to them.
Staying Responsible
For optimal health, we recommend that if you are going to drink alcohol, you follow the U.S. Daily Allowance Guidelines which recommend 1 alcoholic drink per day if you are a woman and two drinks a day if you are a man. Other helpful tips to stay responsible while out on the town…
- Drink water between each alcoholic drink.
- Be sure to have a meal or snack while drinking, and if you are out with friends, then keep each other accountable for how many drinks you’ll have that evening.
- Never leave a drunk friend alone.
- Don’t drink and drive or get into a car with someone who is driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Remember even after 1 drink, your ability to drive can be impaired. Be sure to have a sober designated driver or another way to get home (taxi, Uber, Lyft). Plan ahead and know what services are available in your local area.
Plan ahead.
So, after reading this post, are you concerned for a loved one? Or, are you thinking, Do I have a problem? If you’re worried about your personal consumption, here are 4 simple questions you can ask yourself. If you answer yes to 2 of these questions, then maybe it’s time to ask for help.
1. Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?
4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning?
Informed Choices
The point of this post is not to scare you out of drinking, or make you feel badly if you like that evening cocktail or a glass of wine (no judgment…we do too). Our hope is that you feel empowered with the information we provided to help you make the best choices for yourself and maintain optimal health. So with Cinco de Mayo and summer parties approaching, remember to stay safe and drink responsibly — because you’re important.
Resources
Worried About Yourself or a Loved One?
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, there is a national hotline through the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. They can help connect you to your local services no matter where you live in the United States, and there is always someone on the other end of the line for you to talk to, 24/7.
1–800–662-HELP (4357).
Appendix
- https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
- https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/data.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/loved-one-drinking-what-to-do#1
- https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Home/GetFileByID/838
- https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/alcohol/index.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
- https://www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/basics#risk-factors
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/prevention.htm
- https://www.facingaddiction.org/resources/facts-about-alcohol
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/womens-health.htm
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/alcohol/art-20044551
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/drinks-to-consume-in-moderation/alcohol-full-story/
Unstoppable healthcare at the tips of your fingers. Now, how about a round of applause for that? Or 50 claps to be exact? 👏
By Lori Fauquier WHNP-BC and Justine Della Fave WHNP-BC, CNM, Nurse Practitioners at Pill Club.
Pill Club is an exciting femtech/healthtech company empowering individuals to make decisions about their health, judgment free, from their smartphone. Our members no longer have to go to unnecessary doctor visits, pay marked-up pharmacy prices, or wait in line for their birth control. Join the community of empowered individuals taking control of their futures.
