Beer Drinking: Why Some People Can Handle More

Drinking large quantities of beer is a common social activity, but it can be dangerous. Beer is a drug, and drinking too much can lead to health problems and even addiction. While some people can drink a lot of beer in one sitting, others may find it challenging due to the liquid content. Binge drinking and risky drinking patterns can have adverse effects on the body, and it's important to be aware of the risks and signs of alcohol dependence. Understanding the potential consequences and taking steps to curb excessive drinking can help prevent health issues and maintain a healthy relationship with alcohol.

Tolerance and dependency

Tolerance can be increased by regular drinking. This means that, over time, higher quantities of alcohol are needed to achieve the same effects as before tolerance was established. For example, if drinking four pints of beer every Friday evening led to a pleasant feeling of intoxication, after a while, it might take five pints to achieve the same effect. This is because the brain has adapted to the previous amount, and now a higher quantity is required to reach the same level.

Tolerance is a key feature of addiction. However, it is important to note that tolerance can develop in social drinkers too, and is not exclusive to those with alcohol use disorder.

Drinking more alcohol will not prolong a good feeling. Research has shown that 0.05 is the blood alcohol content (BAC) at which most people feel their happiest while drinking. Drinking beyond this level will only impede judgement without increasing euphoria.

Drinking beyond a 0.05 BAC can also lead to a higher tolerance, which in turn can lead to alcohol dependence. This is a trigger point where a person needs alcohol to feel normal. Those with a family history of alcohol dependence are four times more likely to develop this dependency themselves.

There are several types of tolerance that can develop:

• Functional tolerance: As people drink over the course of an evening, the amount of alcohol in their bloodstream increases, leading to slower reaction times, lowered inhibitions, and impaired judgement. Regular drinkers can become tolerant to these impairments and may show few signs of intoxication even with large amounts of alcohol in their system.
• Environmental-dependent tolerance: Tolerance can develop more quickly if alcohol is always consumed in the same environment. Familiar settings create a conditioned compensatory response, which counters the impairing effects of alcohol. However, drinking in a new environment can lead to greater intoxication as the compensatory response is not activated.
• Learned tolerance: Tolerance can develop faster if the same task or activity is repeatedly performed under the influence of alcohol. For example, a person who regularly plays darts while drinking may experience no alcohol-related impairment in their performance due to their learned tolerance.
• Metabolic tolerance: Prolonged or heavy alcohol consumption can cause the liver to become more efficient at eliminating alcohol from the body. This results in a reduction of alcohol in the bloodstream, and its intoxicating effects. Therefore, a greater amount of alcohol is needed to feel intoxicated.

To prevent raising your tolerance, it is recommended to either take a break from drinking or to drink less.

Drinking habits and limits

Drinking habits vary from person to person, with some choosing to abstain from alcohol completely, while others may opt for moderation or occasional indulgence. Understanding your drinking habits and limits is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with alcohol. Here are some insights into drinking habits and limits:

Understanding Drinking Limits

It is important to be aware of the recommended drinking limits to ensure responsible alcohol consumption. According to guidelines, men should not exceed 14 drinks per week and 4 drinks on any single day. For women, the recommendation is no more than 7 drinks per week and no more than 3 drinks on any given day. These limits may vary based on certain medical conditions or age, and it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional to determine what is suitable for your specific circumstances.

Drinking Habits and Health Risks

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to various health risks. Heavy drinking is a leading cause of preventable deaths and contributes to approximately 88,000 deaths annually in the United States. It can increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and diseases. Risky drinking behaviours, such as binge drinking, can have detrimental effects on your health, including liver damage, increased risk of stroke, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer. It is crucial to be mindful of your drinking habits to mitigate these risks effectively.

Strategies for Curbing Your Drinking

If you feel that your alcohol consumption is becoming a concern, there are several strategies you can implement to curb your drinking:

• Set a drinking goal: Determine a limit that aligns with the recommended guidelines and your personal circumstances.
• Keep a drinking diary: Track your drinking habits for a few weeks to gain insight into your consumption patterns and identify areas where you may need to make adjustments.
• Avoid keeping alcohol at home: Removing the easy access to alcohol can help reduce your overall intake.
• Drink slowly and with food: Take your time when drinking, and always consume alcohol with food to slow down the absorption of alcohol into your system.
• Designate alcohol-free days: Take a break from alcohol for a day or two each week or consider a longer period of abstinence to assess how your body and mind respond.
• Practice saying no: Learn to politely decline drinks when offered and avoid situations or peers that encourage excessive drinking.
• Engage in alternative activities: Find healthy alternatives to drinking, such as sports, hobbies, social outings, or learning a new skill.
• Seek support: Let your loved ones know about your goal to reduce drinking, and consider reaching out to a doctor, counsellor, or therapist for additional support and guidance.

Persistence and Awareness

Changing drinking habits can be challenging, and it often takes multiple attempts to succeed. Be persistent and don't let setbacks discourage you from achieving your long-term goal. Regularly examine your drinking habits to ensure you are maintaining a healthy relationship with alcohol. Additionally, be mindful of any signs of alcohol dependence, such as an inability to control drinking, increased stress, and negative impacts on your personal and professional life. If you recognise these signs, seek professional help to address the issue effectively.

Health risks and problems

Drinking excessive amounts of beer can lead to a range of health issues, including both immediate and long-term problems. The immediate side effects of drinking too much beer include trouble controlling emotions, accidents, misjudging risky situations, and losing self-control, which may lead to risky sexual behaviours, motor vehicle accidents, falls, drownings, and burns. Violent activities, including homicide, suicide, and sexual assault, may also occur as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol poisoning, a serious medical condition caused by high blood alcohol levels, is another potential immediate consequence.

In the long term, regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week can damage your health. This level of consumption is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including mouth, throat, and breast cancer. Excessive beer drinking can also lead to damage to the nervous system, weakening of the immune system, learning and memory problems, and job-related issues. It can also worsen mental health, with strong links found between alcohol misuse and self-harm, including suicide.

In addition to these health risks, excessive beer consumption can contribute to weight gain and obesity due to the empty calories it contains. This, in turn, can lead to various other health issues. Furthermore, drinking too much beer can increase the risk of heart disease, liver disease, and alcohol dependency.

It is important to note that the health risks associated with excessive beer consumption are not limited to those listed above. The effects of alcohol on the body are extensive and can vary depending on individual factors. As such, it is always advisable to consume alcohol in moderation or not at all.

Alcohol use disorder

Drinking large quantities of beer, or any alcoholic beverage, can be a symptom of alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is a medical condition characterised by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol consumption, despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It is considered a brain disorder, and can be mild, moderate, or severe.

AUD is perpetuated by lasting changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse, and these changes also make individuals vulnerable to relapse. However, it is important to note that not everyone who drinks large quantities of beer will have AUD. For some, it may be a choice, or a one-off occurrence.

The amount of alcohol considered to be "too much" varies between individuals and is generally dependent on factors such as weight, height, and health conditions. According to WebMD, there are weekly "upper limits" for healthy adults: men should not exceed four drinks in one day or 14 per week, and women should not exceed three drinks in one day or seven per week. Drinking more than these amounts is considered "heavy" or "at-risk" drinking, and puts individuals at a higher risk for developing health problems. About 1 in 4 people who drink more than these amounts are estimated to have AUD.

AUD can be treated with behavioural therapies, mutual-support groups, and/or medications. Three medications have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent a return to drinking: naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), acamprosate, and disulfiram. These medications are non-addictive and can be used alone or in combination with behavioural treatments or mutual-support groups.

Cutting back and curbing intake

If you feel that you are drinking too much beer, or too often, there are several strategies you can employ to cut back and curb your intake.

Firstly, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor, as they can help you decide whether it is best to cut back or abstain from alcohol completely. People with alcohol dependence or other medical or mental health problems should stop drinking alcohol altogether.

If your doctor recommends that you reduce your drinking, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) suggests the following:

Put it in writing

Writing down the reasons you want to reduce your drinking can help motivate you to stick to your goal. For example, you might want to reduce your intake to feel healthier, sleep better, or improve your relationships.

Set a drinking goal

It is important to set a limit on how much you will drink and stick to it. The NIAAA recommends that women and men over 65 should have no more than one standard drink per day, and men under 65 should have no more than two. However, these limits may be too high for people with certain medical conditions or some older adults, so it is important to consult your doctor to determine what is right for you.

Keep a drinking diary

For three to four weeks, keep track of every time you have a drink, including what and how much you drank, and where you were. This will help you compare your drinking habits to your goal and identify any areas where you need to make changes.

Don't keep alcohol at home

A simple yet effective way to limit your drinking is to avoid keeping alcohol in your house. This will make it more difficult for you to drink impulsively and will help you stick to your drinking goal.

Drink slowly and with food

When you do drink, make sure to sip your beer slowly and drink non-alcoholic beverages like soda, water, or juice in between alcoholic drinks. It is also important to never drink on an empty stomach, as this can increase the effects of alcohol and make it more difficult to control your intake.

Choose alcohol-free days

Try to abstain from drinking for a day or two each week, or even for a week or a month, to see how you feel physically and emotionally without alcohol. Taking a break from drinking can be an effective way to start reducing your overall intake.

Avoid triggers

Stay away from people, places, and activities that tempt you to drink. If you associate drinking with certain events, such as holidays or vacations, develop a plan to manage your drinking in advance. For example, you could bring your own non-alcoholic beverages or spend time with supportive friends who know about your goal to cut back.

Practice saying no

You do not have to drink just because others are, and you should not feel obligated to accept every drink you are offered. Practice politely refusing drinks and standing firm in your decision to cut back.

Find healthy alternatives

Keep yourself busy and distracted by taking up new hobbies, interests, or physical activities that do not involve drinking. For example, you could try walking, playing sports, going out to eat, watching movies, painting, playing board games, or learning to play a musical instrument.

Ask for support

Reducing your drinking can be challenging, so it is important to let your friends and family members know that you need their support. You can also seek help from your doctor, a counselor, or a therapist.

Be persistent

Remember that cutting back on drinking is often a gradual process, and most people who successfully reduce their intake do so after several attempts. Setbacks are normal, but it is important to persist towards your long-term goal of drinking less.

Frequently asked questions