Alcohol

Whether drinking to celebrate, socialize or relax, it’s no secret that alcohol has a strong effect on us. Alcohol’s effect varies due to factors such as how much you drink, how often you drink, age, health status and family history. While so, research indicates drinking alcohol in any amount carries a health risk. Moderate amounts of alcohol pose a low risk, but the risk goes up as alcohol consumption increases.

Moderate alcohol use is defined as women having one drink or less in a day and men having two drinks or less in a day.

A standard drink size is determined by the amount of alcohol present in a drink, or Alcohol by Volume (ABV).

One standard drink is:

• 12 ounces of regular beer (5% ABV)
• 5 ounces of wine (12% ABV)
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits- gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, etc. (40% ABV or 80 proof)

Binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than 21 is considered excessive drinking and puts individuals at higher risk for health problems and Alcohol Use Disorder.

• Binge drinking is defined as:
  • Women drinking 4 or more drinks during a single occasion.
  • Men drinking 5 or more drinks during a single occasion.
• Heavy drinking is defined as:
  • Women drinking 8 or more drinks per week.
  • Men drinking 15 or more drinks per week.

Excessive drinking is associated with numerous health problems, including:

• Chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis (damage to liver cells)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Various cancers, including liver, mouth, throat, larynx (the voice box), and esophagus
• High blood pressure
• Psychological disorders
• Unintentional injuries, such as motor-vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, burns and firearm injuries
• Violence, such as child maltreatment, homicide, and suicide
• Harm to a developing fetus if a woman drinks while pregnant
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Alcohol abuse or dependence

Alcohol consumption may be an issue that needs to be addressed if you notice any of the following situations occurring:

• You drink more than planned.
• You spend a lot of time drinking and feeling the effects of alcohol.
• Your tolerance to alcohol has increased.
• You have cravings for alcohol.
• You give up other activities to drink instead.
• Drinking is impacting your ability to keep up with responsibilities at home, work, or school.
• Drinking is causing friction in your relationship with family or friends.
• You experience symptoms like shakiness, nausea, irritability, depression, or trouble sleeping when you are not drinking.
• You’ve gotten into life threating situations or legal trouble.
• You want to stop drinking but you can’t.

If you feel alcohol is becoming a problem, there is help. St. Luke’s Penn Foundation offers personalized, comprehensive drug and alcohol services. For more information, visit www.PennFoundation.org or call 215-257-9999.