Drinking a little alcohol in moderation may be beneficial, but the risks of heavy alcohol use and abuse outweigh any benefits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol abuse causes about 79,000 deaths annually in the United States. Alcohol-related conditions cause millions of emergency room visits and hospitalizations every year. The costs both to the individual and society are considerable.
Injury and Violence
Because drinking alcohol lowers social inhibitions, excessive alcohol use has many immediate consequences, largely due to impaired judgment. Accidents, whether from driving drunk, falling or otherwise injuring yourself, take a heavy toll. People are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behavior while drinking, leading to unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. The CDC estimates that two-thirds of all domestic violence, and much violence toward children, is associated with alcohol use. The Linus Pauling Institute says heavy alcohol use is strongly associated with all forms of violence, domestic and otherwise.
Drinking During Pregnancy
While light drinking during pregnancy in parts of Europe is considered acceptable, the CDC and the Linus Pauling Institute both say pregnant women should abstain completely. The CDC warns that there is no safe level of alcohol for a pregnant woman. Excessive drinking while pregnant can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. The risks of exposing a fetus to alcohol can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome disorders, which include a wide spectrum of symptoms including learning disabilities and low IQ, short stature, poor physical coordination and vision or hearing problems.
Heart Disease
Over time, heavy drinking can lead to a variety of cardiovascular problems. Arrhythmias used to be called the "holiday heart syndrome" because doctors noticed a spike in hospital admissions for cardiac events right after weekends and holidays. Sudden cardiac death has long been associated with heavy drinking, or having more than five drinks a day, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathy are also caused or exacerbated by excessive alcohol consumption. Women may be more at risk for cardiovascular disease and weakened heart muscle as a result of drinking than men.
Blood Pressure and Stroke
Heavy drinking raises your blood pressure, causing hypertension, although this is reversible--quit drinking and your blood pressure will go down. Chronic drinking is also associated with both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
Cancer
Chronic alcohol use increases the risk of several cancers, especially in combination with smoking. Cancer of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, breast and throat have all been linked to alcohol. Liver disease and liver cancer is strongly associated with chronic alcohol use, and if a heavy drinker has had hepatitis, his risk for liver cancer is significantly increased.
Psychological and Social Problems
Many people with emotional or psychiatric disorders drink to "self-medicate," but the strategy backfires. Excessive drinking over time amplifies the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, leading to family problems, loss of productivity and even suicide. Chronic drinking may also cause the brain to atrophy and predispose people to dementia or Alzheimer's disease, but the effect of alcohol on organic brain functioning is not fully understood, according to the Linus Pauling Institute, and warrants further research.
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