People often drink to relax, socialize and celebrate, but how much is too much? Overconsumption of alcohol can escalate the risk of injury, violence, liver disease and certain types of cancer. Each April, Alcohol Awareness Month aims to increase awareness and understanding of alcoholism, and educate the community about the dangers of drinking too much.
Alcohol enters your bloodstream the moment you take your first sip, and its immediate effects can appear within 10 minutes, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The amount of alcohol present in your blood stream, or your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level, increases as you continue to drink. As your BAC rises, you can become impaired by alcohol effects that can include:
- Reduced inhibitions
- Slurred speech
- Motor impairment
- Confusion
- Memory and concentration problems
- Coma
- Breathing problems
- Death
Those who overconsume alcohol over a long period of time may experience its longer-term effects, which can include:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Health problems, including damage to the liver, heart, pancreas and immune system
- Increased risk for certain cancers, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver and breast
That’s not to say you can’t still enjoy your regular glass of wine in the evening. In fact, moderate consumption of alcohol has been linked to possible health benefits, such as lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines moderate alcohol consumption as up to one drink per day for women, and up to two drinks per day for men.
If you are concerned about your drinking, help is available. The Wellbeing Hotline offers GW employees up to five free counseling sessions per year with licensed network professionals to help you address substance abuse or other concerns. UnitedHealthcare/Optum also offers a free Substance Use Disorder Hotline (PDF) to GW employees, regardless of whether or not you are covered under a university health plan; the confidential service is available at (855) 780-5955 or liveandworkwell.com/recovery.
Learn more about recognizing the warning signs of substance use disorder (PDF).
