Alcohol Consumption and Health

Alcohol consumption, especially when it becomes a daily habit, has a significant impact on health. The effects can range from temporary changes in the body to long-term, irreversible damage to physical and mental health. This section will discuss the impact of drinking alcohol every day on the immune system and the risks it poses for pregnant women.

Impact on the Immune System

Chronic drinkers are more susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis than those who do not consume alcohol excessively. This increased susceptibility is due to alcohol's effect on the immune system. Excessive consumption of alcohol weakens the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections. As a result, those who consume four or more drinks a day have almost six times the risk of hippocampus shrinkage compared to non-drinkers, according to a study by the University of Oxford.

Moreover, between 2011 and 2015, alcohol abuse caused approximately 95,000 deaths in the United States, with one in ten adults between the ages of 20 and 64 dying due to excessive alcohol use.

Risks for Pregnant Women

Drinking alcohol can have severe implications for pregnant women. According to the Dietary Guidelines, individuals who are pregnant should abstain from alcohol completely. This is because alcohol can harm the developing fetus, leading to a range of physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).

The risk is not limited to heavy drinking. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant. Therefore, it is recommended that women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should refrain from drinking alcohol to prevent potential harm to the baby.

Women who are breastfeeding should also be cautious when consuming alcohol. While moderate consumption, defined as up to one standard drink per day, is generally not known to be harmful to the infant, it is recommended that nursing mothers wait at least two hours after a single drink before breastfeeding or expressing breast milk.

These guidelines underline the importance of understanding the potential health risks associated with alcohol consumption. By being aware of these risks, individuals can make informed decisions about their drinking habits and take steps to protect their health and the health of their loved ones.

Alcohol Consumption Statistics

To understand the impact of drinking alcohol every day, it's crucial to review the statistics surrounding alcohol consumption. This data provides insight into the consumption patterns in the US and the prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

Consumption Patterns in the US

The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 139.8 million Americans aged 12 or older currently drink alcohol, with 67.1 million classified as binge drinkers and 16.6 million as heavy drinkers.

The study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2014 found that nearly 1 in 3 adults is an excessive drinker, and most of them binge drink, usually on multiple occasions [3].

Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder

In 2018, it was reported that 14.1 million adults ages 18 and older have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), which can be developed due to binge drinking [1].

Interestingly, nine in 10 adults who drink too much alcohol are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent. About 1 in 30 adults are classified as alcohol dependent. The rates of alcohol dependence increase with the amount of alcohol consumed. Approximately 10 percent of binge drinkers are alcohol dependent, while 30 percent of people who binge frequently (10 or more times a month) are alcohol dependent [3].

These statistics underscore the importance of understanding the risks and impact associated with daily alcohol consumption. Alcohol abuse can lead to a range of health issues, including AUD, and it's crucial for individuals to be aware of safe drinking guidelines and the risks associated with excessive consumption.

Mental Health and Alcohol

Understanding the relationship between mental health and alcohol is critical, especially for individuals who regularly consume alcohol. The link between alcohol and mental disorders like depression and anxiety can be complex, and the consequences of binge drinking can be severe.

Link to Depression and Anxiety

Consuming large amounts of alcohol, as seen in individuals who are habituated to drinking alcohol every day, can exacerbate mental health issues like depression and anxiety over time. The effects of alcohol can interfere with regular activities, relationships, and self-esteem, leading to further deterioration of mental health.

Statistics show that individuals with alcohol-related problems are more prone to self-harm and suicide. Moreover, alcohol can trigger depressive episodes, and being in a depressive state can lead to increased alcohol consumption, creating a vicious cycle [4].

If you suffer from depression and anxiety and still wish to consume alcohol, it is advised to limit your intake to 14 units per week. This consumption should be spread evenly over the week, with several alcohol-free days in between.

Consequences of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is defined as consuming more than 8 units of alcohol per day for men and more than 6 units per day for women. Engaging in this behavior can significantly worsen depression and anxiety disorders.

To maintain good health, guidelines suggest limiting daily alcohol intake in alignment with the Dietary Guidelines [5]. Certain individuals, such as those who are on medications that can negatively interact with alcohol, those with specific medical conditions, those with a history of alcohol use disorder, underage individuals, and those engaging in activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness, are advised to abstain from alcohol entirely [5].

Understanding the link between mental health and alcohol consumption is a critical step towards managing daily alcohol consumption and reducing the risk of exacerbating mental health issues.

Alcohol Addiction Cycle

In the context of alcohol addiction, understanding the cycle of addiction is crucial. This cycle involves a series of stages that a person may progress through when they are addicted to alcohol. It's worth noting that this cycle is linked to specific brain regions, each associated with a stage in the cycle.

Stages and Brain Regions

According to the NIAAA, the alcohol addiction cycle involves three main stages:

1. Binge/Intoxication Stage
2. Negative Affect/Withdrawal Stage
3. Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage

These stages are linked to three key brain regions:

1. The Binge/Intoxication Stage is linked to the basal ganglia, which plays a role in rewarding behaviors.
2. The Negative Affect/Withdrawal Stage is associated with the extended amygdala, involved in stress and discomfort during withdrawal.
3. The Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage is connected to the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control.

It's important to note that alcohol can cause progressive changes in the structure and function of the brain, leading to a transition from controlled use to chronic misuse, which can be challenging to control.

Hyperkatifeia and Withdrawal

Hyperkatifeia is an overactive negative emotional state experienced during drug withdrawal. It may drive alcohol consumption as individuals seek relief from this uncomfortable state. This is caused by significant changes in the brain's reward and stress systems, leading to increased sensitivity to stress and reduced sensitivity to reward.

If a person continues to consume alcohol excessively, withdrawal symptoms can occur if they suddenly stop drinking. This can lead to a worsening of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. In addition, using alcohol to manage these mental health symptoms can exacerbate the problem and lead to further issues, including potential self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

Understanding the alcohol addiction cycle provides insight into the complex nature of alcohol addiction and the brain changes that occur as a result of drinking alcohol every day. This understanding can inform strategies for prevention and treatment, including behavioral therapies, medications, or a combination of both, which can be beneficial for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder.

Liver Damage from Alcohol

Examining the impact of alcohol consumption, particularly the habit of drinking alcohol every day, one can't overlook the substantial harm it inflicts on the liver.

Effects on the Liver

Long-term heavy alcohol use is the most prevalent single cause of illness and death from liver disease in the United States. The liver, being the primary site of alcohol metabolism, is particularly susceptible to alcohol-related injury. This liver injury may be caused by the direct toxicity of metabolic by-products of alcohol as well as by inflammation induced by these by-products.

Chronic alcohol consumption inhibits the major pathway for fatty acid metabolism, located in mitochondria. Inhibition of this pathway in the liver can cause fatty acid accumulation and consequent liver injury. In rats, however, such activation is less efficient in females than in males, causing women to develop cirrhosis at a much lower cumulative dose of alcohol than men [6].

Moreover, dietary factors may facilitate liver injury associated with alcohol metabolism, in part by influencing free radical activity. Deficiencies of glutathione or vitamins A or E can decrease the liver’s protection against free radicals. Chronic alcohol consumption also promotes absorption of iron from food in the intestine and facilitates storage of iron in the liver. Iron is an important catalyst of free radical production [6].

Progression to Cirrhosis

A severe consequence of the impacts of drinking alcohol every day is the progression of liver damage to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a late stage of fibrosis, or scarring, of the liver caused by various forms of liver diseases and conditions.

A threshold dose of alcohol must be consumed for serious liver injury to become apparent. For men, this dose amounts to 600 kilograms (kg) taken chronically over many years, an intake that can be achieved by consuming approximately 72 ounces (oz) of beer, 1 liter of wine, or 8 oz distilled spirits (i.e., 5–6 standard drinks) daily for 20 years. For women, the threshold dose is one-fourth to one-half that amount.

Up to a point, liver fibrosis may be reversible with abstinence. Eventually, however, the liver loses its ability to reabsorb scar tissue, and the disease progresses to cirrhosis. Treatment for cirrhosis is directed largely against its symptoms and complications. For patients becoming terminally ill, liver transplantation is the only effective treatment. In alcoholic cirrhotic patients, liver transplantation has demonstrated both success and survival rates equal to those for nonalcoholic subjects.

Moderation and Guidelines

When it comes to alcohol consumption, moderation and understanding the guidelines can be critical for health and wellbeing. While some might enjoy a daily drink, it's essential to understand the risks and recommendations surrounding daily alcohol use.

Recommendations for Safe Drinking

According to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults of legal drinking age who choose to drink should do so in moderation. This means limiting intake to two drinks or less in a day for men, and one drink or less in a day for women. To align with these guidelines, it's recommended that individuals moderate their daily intakes.

However, certain individuals should avoid alcohol completely. This includes those taking medications that can interact negatively with alcohol, those with certain medical conditions, individuals with a history of alcohol use disorder, individuals under the legal drinking age, and those engaging in activities that require skill, coordination, and alertness. Pregnant women and older adults are also advised to avoid alcohol.

Risks of Long-term Heavy Use

Despite guidelines for safe drinking, the reality is that drinking alcohol, even in moderate amounts, can be potentially addictive and contribute to health problems and preventable deaths. While the risks at low levels are relatively low, they are not absent [7].

Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 88,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, including about 3,700 deaths from alcohol dependence. These deaths are due to health effects from drinking too much over time, such as breast cancer, liver disease, and heart disease, as well as health effects from drinking too much in a short period of time, such as violence, alcohol poisoning, and motor vehicle crashes.

Long-term heavy alcohol use is the most prevalent single cause of illness and death from liver disease in the United States. The liver is particularly susceptible to alcohol-related injury because it is the primary site of alcohol metabolism. Liver injury may be caused by direct toxicity of metabolic by-products of alcohol as well as by inflammation induced by these by-products.

In conclusion, while the occasional drink might be enjoyable for some, understanding the risks and adhering to recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption is crucial. Making informed decisions about alcohol consumption can contribute to overall health and wellbeing, and can help prevent the potential negative impacts associated with heavy or long-term use.