The line between social drinking and problem drinking can easily be crossed. Consider that men who have more than four drinks on a single day or 14 a week are considered heavy drinkers. Women who drink more than three drinks in a day or seven a week fall into that category.
If your alcohol consumption has given you pause, use April, National Alcohol Awareness Month, as a time to evaluate your drinking behaviors so you can remain in control.
Photo by Alexandre Godreau@Unsplash
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heavy alcohol consumption in the short-term result in:
Long-term alcohol abuse, according to the CDC, can cause:
Nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. die each year from alcohol-related causes; it is the nation’s third leading preventable cause of death, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Heavy drinking also can erode relationships and career goals.
Moderate drinking is two drinks per day for men, and one drink a day for women.
There are small changes you can make to get a handle on your alcohol consumption:
People who stay within the low-risk limits when they drink have the lowest rates of alcohol-related problems.
If you cannot control your drinking or are concerned that someone you care about has a serious problem, NewBridge can help. For more information, contact NewBridge Services at www.newbridge.org or call (888) 746-9333.
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