CS246270

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division of Population Health

Alcohol Use and Your Health Drinking too much can harm your health. Excessive alcohol use leads to about 88,000 deaths in the United States each year, and shortens the life of those who die by almost 30 years. Further, excessive drinking cost the economy $249 billion in 2010. Most excessive drinkers are not alcohol dependent.

What is considered a “drink”? U.S. Standard Drink Sizes

If you choose to drink, do so in moderation:

12 ounces 8 ounces 5 ounces 1.5 ounces 5% beer

NO ONE should begin drinking or drink more frequently based on potential health benefits.

7% malt liquor 12% wine 40% (80 proof) distilled spirits

(examples: gin, rum, vodka, whiskey)

DON’T DRINK AT ALL if you are under the age of 21, or if you are or

may be pregnant, or have health problems that could be made worse

by drinking.

FOR WOMEN, up to 1 drink a day

FOR MEN, up to 2 drinks a day

Excessive alcohol use includes:

For women, 4 or more drinks consumed on one occassion

For women, 8 or more drinks per week

Any alcohol used by those under the age

of 21 years

Any alcohol used by pregnant women

Binge Drinking Heavy Drinking

For men, 5 or more drinks consumed on one occassion

For men, 15 or more drinks per week

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems.

Short-Term Health Risks Injuries • Motor vehicle crashes • Falls • Drownings • Burns

Violence • Homicide • Suicide • Sexual assault • Intimate partner violence

Alcohol poisoning

Reproductive health • Risky sexual behaviors • Unintended pregnancy • Sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV • Miscarriage • Stillbirth • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)

Long-Term Health Risks

Chronic diseases • High blood pressure • Heart disease • Stroke • Liver disease • Digestive problems

Cancers • Breast • Mouth and throat • Liver • Colon

Learning and memory problems • Dementia • Poor school performance

Mental health • Depression • Anxiety

Social problems • Lost productivity • Family problems • Unemployment

Alcohol dependence