Jason Wagner
Alcoholism is a disease that develops over time, and beer, like other alcoholic drinks, contains ethanol, which is a psychoactive substance that can lead to addiction. While the number of beers consumed in a week is not the sole indicator of alcohol abuse, heavy drinking is considered five or more drinks in a day or 15 or more drinks per week for men, and four or more drinks in a day or eight or more drinks per week for women. Beer consumption can lead to the development of tolerance, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, and nausea. Alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways and can affect mood and behaviour, with long-term effects including changes in libido and sexual function, problems with memory and concentration, and increased tension in relationships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcoholic stereotype | Homeless, unhealthy appearance, tragic life, drunk in the streets, violent, unsuccessful, unreliable, etc. |
| Alcoholism definition | Craving alcohol, constantly drinking to avoid withdrawal symptoms |
| Binge drinking (men) | 5 drinks within 2 hours |
| Binge drinking (women) | 4 drinks within 2 hours |
| Heavy alcohol use (men) | 14 or more drinks per week |
| Heavy alcohol use (women) | 7 or more drinks per week |
| Signs of alcohol dependence | Increased tolerance, social activities revolve around drinking, intense urge to drink, drinking in secret, prioritising drinking, continuing to drink despite negative consequences, etc. |
| Alcoholism criteria | Using larger amounts or longer duration than intended, unable to reduce alcohol use, spending a lot of time obtaining/recovering from alcohol, cravings, failing to fulfil obligations, continuing to drink despite social/interpersonal problems, giving up activities, drinking in dangerous situations, tolerance, withdrawal |
What You'll Learn
Stereotypes of alcoholics
However, these stereotypes are not always accurate. Alcoholics can be of any age, gender, or social class. They can be successful professionals, parents, or even celebrities. Many alcoholics are also high-functioning, able to disguise their problems even from family members. They may only drink expensive alcohol, have days when they don't drink at all, and never become physically or verbally aggressive.
The danger of stereotypes is that they can prevent people from recognizing the signs of alcoholism in themselves or others. For example, people may think that alcoholics are always physically destructive, when in reality, alcoholism can manifest in more subtle ways, such as a loss of interest in other activities or increased irritability when unable to drink. Stereotypes can also lead to negative perceptions of alcoholics, causing shame and stigma that deter people from seeking help.
It's important to recognize that alcoholism can affect anyone and that it is a serious condition that requires treatment. By moving beyond stereotypes and understanding the diverse faces of alcoholism, we can better identify and support those struggling with this addiction.
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Binge drinking
Short-term effects of binge drinking
Long-term effects of binge drinking
Over time, binge drinking can cause mental health problems, loss of brain volume in young people, a weakened immune system, and an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast, throat, oesophageal, and colon cancer. It can also lead to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
While most binge drinkers are not dependent on alcohol, they are at an increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). This risk is especially high for those who engage in binge drinking during their teenage years. Teenage binge drinkers are about three times more likely to develop AUD.
Preventing binge drinking
To lower the risk of binge drinking, it is recommended to limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. It is also advisable to consume food while drinking and alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones, preferably water. Additionally, it is important to drink with people you trust and always have a plan for getting home safely.
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Alcohol withdrawal
The timeline of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary, with mild symptoms such as anxiety, nervousness, and shakiness occurring as early as 6 hours after the last drink. More serious symptoms, such as hallucinations, can begin 12-48 hours after the last drink, and seizures may occur within the first 2 days. Delirium tremens, a severe form of alcohol withdrawal, usually starts 48-72 hours after the last drink and includes vivid hallucinations and delusions.
To diagnose alcohol withdrawal, a doctor will ask about the patient's drinking history and perform a physical exam. Treatment for alcohol withdrawal aims to reduce withdrawal symptoms, prevent complications, and help the individual reduce or stop drinking. Treatment may include monitoring vital signs, administering fluids or medications through an IV, and providing sedatives until withdrawal is complete. Inpatient care may be recommended for individuals with severe withdrawal symptoms, while those with mild to moderate symptoms can often be treated in an outpatient setting.
It is important to note that alcohol withdrawal can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. If you or someone you know is experiencing alcohol withdrawal, it is crucial to seek medical help, especially if there are severe symptoms such as seizures, fever, hallucinations, or irregular heartbeats.
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Alcohol dependence
People with alcohol dependence feel unable to function or survive without alcohol, and drinking becomes an important factor in their life. They may notice that they need to drink more to get the same effect, and they often prioritise drinking over other activities or obligations, such as work or family life. They may also continue drinking despite harmful consequences, such as liver disease or depression. Alcohol dependence can also cause physical withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, sweating, nausea, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 6.2% of adults in the United States aged 18 and older had alcohol use disorder. Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use can lead to the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Binge drinking for men is considered five drinks within two hours, and for women, it is four drinks within two hours. Heavy alcohol use is defined as drinking 14 or more drinks per week for men and seven or more drinks per week for women.
If you think you may be dependent on alcohol, it is important to consult a doctor or another medical professional before stopping drinking. There are also national alcohol support services that can provide confidential advice and support.
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Alcohol's effects on health
Alcohol has a wide range of effects on health, both in the short and long term. While drinking in moderation is often considered harmless, recent research suggests that there is no "safe" amount of alcohol, as even moderate drinking can negatively impact brain health.
Short-term effects
The short-term effects of alcohol are well known and include lowered inhibitions, relaxation, drowsiness, euphoria, slowed or slurred speech, changes in hearing, vision and perception, loss of coordination, and trouble focusing or making decisions. These effects can also include impulsiveness, changes in mood, and loss of consciousness or memory (blackouts).
Long-term effects
The long-term effects of alcohol are more concerning and can have a significant impact on physical and mental health. Alcohol use can lead to persistent changes in mood, including anxiety and irritability, insomnia and other sleep issues, a weakened immune system, changes in libido and sexual function, appetite and weight changes, and problems with memory and concentration.
Alcohol can also cause serious damage to internal organs, including:
- The brain: Interfering with communication pathways and affecting mood and behaviour, as well as making it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Chronic heavy drinking can also cause permanent brain damage, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a brain disorder that affects memory.
- The heart: Drinking large amounts of alcohol over a long period or too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, leading to problems such as cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure.
- The liver: Heavy drinking can lead to a variety of problems, including steatosis (fatty liver) and alcohol-related liver disease, which can be life-threatening.
- The pancreas: Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation that causes swelling and pain and impairs the pancreas's ability to produce enzymes and hormones for proper digestion.
- The immune system: Drinking too much alcohol can weaken the immune system, making it easier for diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis to take hold.
Alcohol-related cancer risk
According to the National Cancer Institute, there is a strong consensus that alcohol drinking can cause several types of cancer. The evidence indicates that the more alcohol a person consumes, especially over a long period, the higher their risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer. Even moderate drinking has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Specific types of cancer linked to alcohol consumption include head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, and breast cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can become an alcoholic if you only drink beer. Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is when someone has a craving they can’t get rid of until they have another sip of alcohol and continue drinking even when they should be stopping. Beer is an alcoholic beverage and can be just as addictive as wine or liquor.
Some common signs of alcohol dependence include:
- An increased tolerance to alcohol, meaning you need to drink more to achieve the same level of intoxication
- Your social activities begin to revolve around drinking
- Feeling an intense urge to drink when engaged in other activities
- Drinking in secret, drinking alone, needing to have a drink first thing in the morning, or keeping stashes of alcohol
- Prioritising drinking over anything else in your life, including your usual interests and hobbies
- Continuing to drink even when it impacts your life financially or socially, or when drinking and hangovers begin to cause issues at work, at home, or with your health
- Being unable to slow down once you have started drinking, even if you only meant to have one
- Experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nightmares, hallucinations, or seizures when you try to cut back or stop drinking
The effects of drinking beer can vary depending on the amount consumed. In the short term, drinking beer can make people more sociable, excitable, or outgoing. However, as more beer is consumed, the effects can become unpredictable and include slower reflexes and brain activity, reduced coordination, risky sexual behaviours, lower body temperature, passing out or blacking out, coma, and even death. In the long term, drinking beer can negatively affect the body's organs, including the brain, heart, liver, and pancreas. It can also increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems, and cancer.
