Heavy Drinking: Is Nine Beers Too Much?

Drinking nine beers in a day is considered heavy drinking. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), heavy drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks on any day for women and five or more drinks for men. Binge drinking, which is a subset of heavy drinking, is characterised by consuming four or more drinks for women or five or more drinks for men within a two-hour period. Excessive alcohol consumption, including heavy and binge drinking, can lead to a range of negative health consequences and increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder.

Heavy drinking defined

Heavy drinking is a pattern of drinking alcohol that exceeds the recommended guidelines for low-risk drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines heavy drinking based on the number of drinks consumed per day or per week. For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming more than 14 or 15 drinks in a week or more than 4 drinks in a day. For women, it is defined as consuming more than 7 or 8 drinks per week or more than 3 drinks in a day.

Binge drinking is a form of heavy drinking and is defined as consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period, typically resulting in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. For men, this usually involves having 5 or more drinks, while for women, it is 4 or more drinks, within about 2 hours. Binge drinking is a dangerous pattern of drinking that can lead to a higher risk of falls, burns, car crashes, memory blackouts, medication interactions, assaults, drownings, and overdose deaths.

The negative health consequences of heavy drinking are well-documented. Alcohol is a toxin that the liver has to process and flush out of the body. Heavy drinking can lead to liver damage, including alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. It also increases the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, blood clots, and cancer, especially in the mouth, throat, voice box, liver, breast, and intestines. Heavy drinking can also cause mental health issues such as depression and dementia, as well as nerve damage and sleep disruptions.

It is important to note that the definition of heavy drinking may vary slightly depending on the source or organisation providing the guidelines. For example, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines heavy alcohol use as binge drinking on 5 or more days in the past month. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines heavy episodic drinking as consuming at least 60 grams of pure alcohol on at least one occasion in the past 30 days, which corresponds to approximately 6 standard alcoholic drinks.

Binge drinking defined

Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or 0.08 grams of alcohol per decilitre or higher. This typically happens when a woman consumes four or more drinks or a man consumes five or more drinks within about two hours. However, it's important to note that the number of drinks required to reach this BAC can vary depending on factors such as body type, sex, age, and weight. For example, youth may reach the same BAC with fewer drinks than adults.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking in this way, and it is also the legal definition of intoxication in the United States. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines binge drinking as consuming four or more drinks for females or five or more drinks for males on the same occasion, meaning at the same time or within a couple of hours of each other, on at least one day in the past month.

Binge drinking is a type of excessive drinking and is associated with various short-term and long-term health risks and effects. Short-term effects can include upset stomach, loss of coordination and perception, and impaired judgment, which may lead to risky behaviours. Over time, regular binge drinking increases the risk of severe health problems, including liver disease, pancreatitis, cardiovascular issues, certain types of cancer, mental health problems, and social issues. Binge drinking is also linked to a higher risk of early death.

Binge drinking is not the same as alcohol use disorder (AUD). According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of people who drink excessively do not meet the criteria for AUD. However, binge drinking can increase the risk of developing AUD over time.

Alcohol use disorder

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines heavy drinking for men as consuming five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks on any day or eight or more drinks per week.

Drinking nine beers in a day would, therefore, be considered heavy drinking. However, it is important to note that heavy drinking is not the same as alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It is considered a brain disorder and can be mild, moderate, or severe.

According to the NIAAA, the risk for AUD depends on how much, how often, and how quickly a person consumes alcohol. Alcohol misuse, which includes binge and heavy drinking, increases the risk of developing AUD over time. Other factors that increase the risk of AUD include drinking at an early age, genetics and family history of alcohol problems, and mental health conditions or a history of trauma.

The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 28.1 million adults ages 18 and older (10.9% in this age group) had AUD in the past year. Among youth, an estimated 757,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 (2.9% of this age group) had AUD during this time frame.

Treatment for AUD includes behavioral therapies, mutual-support groups, and medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. These treatments can help individuals with AUD achieve and maintain recovery.

Health risks of heavy drinking

Heavy drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks on any day or eight or more per week for women, and five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week for men. Drinking heavily can have serious health consequences, and the risks increase with the amount consumed. Here are some of the health risks associated with heavy drinking:

Brain and Nervous System Problems

Alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways, affecting mood, behaviour, clear thinking, and coordination. Heavy drinking can also lead to mental health issues such as depression and dementia. It may also cause painful nerve damage that can persist long after the person sobers up.

Liver Disease

The liver is responsible for flushing alcohol, a toxin, out of the body. However, heavy drinking can overwhelm the liver, leading to conditions such as alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, which is characterised by scarring of the liver.

Cardiovascular Issues

Heavy drinking can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. It can also lead to cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure. Studies show that heavy drinkers are more likely to have trouble pumping blood to the heart and may have a higher chance of dying from heart disease.

Pancreatitis

Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas that causes swelling, pain, and impairs its ability to produce digestive enzymes and hormones.

Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, there is a strong consensus that alcohol consumption can cause several types of cancer. The more alcohol consumed, especially over time, the higher the risk of developing alcohol-associated cancer. Even one drink per day can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer by 5% to 15%. Other types of cancer associated with alcohol consumption include head and neck cancer, oral cavity cancer, pharynx cancer, larynx cancer, and oesophageal cancer.

Immune System Weakening

Chronic heavy drinking weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Drinking a lot in a single session can impair the body's ability to fight off infections for up to 24 hours after getting drunk.

Sleep Disturbances

While alcohol may initially act as a sedative, it can disrupt sleep patterns and lower sleep quality. Binge drinking can make it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and increase snoring and sleep apnea.

Other Health Risks

Heavy drinking is also associated with an increased risk of weight gain, diabetes, gout, epilepsy, and damage to the nervous system. It can also negatively impact mental health and increase the risk of self-harm and suicide.

Solutions to cut back on drinking

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), heavy drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks in a day for women and five or more drinks in a day for men. Binge drinking, which is a type of heavy drinking, is characterised by consuming a large quantity of alcohol in a short period, resulting in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

Drinking nine beers in a day would be considered heavy drinking and could lead to several negative health consequences. Here are some solutions to cut back on drinking:

Set Clear Goals and Make a Plan:

• Start by acknowledging the reasons behind your decision to cut back on drinking. Is it for health reasons, relationship improvements, or weight loss? Keeping your motivation in mind can help you stay focused and committed to your goal.
• Write down specific and achievable goals. For example, you could aim to reduce your drinking to within the recommended limits (one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day for men).
• Develop a detailed plan for how you will achieve your goals. Decide on a start date, inform your loved ones about your decision, and prepare responses for when you're offered a drink.

Identify and Avoid Triggers:

• Identify people, places, and events that trigger your drinking. If possible, avoid these triggers altogether. For example, if going to bars triggers your drinking, consider socialising in different environments or spending time with non-drinkers.
• If avoiding triggers is not feasible, be mindful of your desire to drink when exposed to them. Don't be too hard on yourself, and reach out to a friend or family member for support.

Seek Support:

• Inform your trusted friends and family about your plan to cut back on drinking. Their knowledge of your goal can help them refrain from offering you drinks and provide additional support when needed.
• Consider joining support groups or spending time with other non-drinkers. This can provide you with a sense of community and accountability as you work towards your goal.

Practice Moderation Strategies:

• If you choose to drink, opt for lower-strength beverages with lower alcohol by volume (ABV). Check the bottle or container for ABV information.
• Drink slowly and in moderation. Space out your drinks by alternating alcoholic beverages with water or other non-alcoholic drinks.
• Set a budget for alcohol and only carry that amount of money when you go out. This can help you control your drinking and make conscious choices.
• Have several drink-free days each week. This gives your body a break from processing alcohol and can improve your overall well-being.

Find Alternative Activities:

• Drinking is often a social activity, and it can be challenging to avoid it completely. Try finding new hobbies and activities that don't revolve around alcohol. Join a gym, learn a new skill, or explore sober social groups.
• If you usually drink at home, replace drinking with other enjoyable activities like cooking, reading, or practising a hobby.

Remember, changing habits takes time and effort. Don't be too hard on yourself if you encounter setbacks. Instead, focus on the progress you've made, learn from your mistakes, and continue moving forward.

Frequently asked questions