Beer Consumption: Excessive Drinking Or Not?

Excessive drinking is a subjective term, but doctors consider drinking more than four drinks per day for men and three drinks per day for women as heavy or at-risk drinking. This means that the person is at a higher risk of developing health problems and alcohol use disorder. Even moderate drinking has been linked to negative health effects, and drinking more than two drinks daily for months can cause measurable and sometimes permanent damage to the body, including liver scarring, nerve damage, and high blood pressure.

Short-term and long-term health effects

Drinking three 12-ounce beers a night is considered "heavy" or "at-risk" drinking. This means that it puts you at a higher risk of developing health problems, including alcohol use disorder. About 1 in 4 people who drink more than the recommended upper limits have an alcohol use disorder.

Short-term health effects

The short-term health effects of drinking three beers a night can include:

• Insomnia
• Heartburn
• Stomach pain
• High blood pressure
• Anemia (low blood count)
• Nerve damage
• Stomach inflammation
• Decreased heart function

Long-term health effects

The long-term health effects of drinking three beers a night can include:

• Liver scarring (cirrhosis)
• Increased risk of stroke
• Cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart muscle)
• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of certain cancers, including throat and mouth cancers
• Weight gain
• Alcohol dependence
• Increased risk of depression
• Increased risk of early death

Problem drinking vs alcohol toxicity

Drinking three beers a night, as described in the query, can be classified as "problem drinking" or "alcohol toxicity". While the former refers to the negative consequences of alcohol on one's personal or social life, the latter refers to the direct toxic effects of alcohol on the body.

Problem drinking

Problem drinking occurs when the consumption of alcohol starts to negatively affect one's personal or social life. This could include harm to one's health, relationships, or ability to function effectively at work or in social situations. Problem drinking can lead to alcohol use disorder, which is characterised by a loss of control over alcohol intake and negative consequences on one's life. It's important to note that problem drinking does not always involve physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is discontinued.

Alcohol toxicity

Alcohol toxicity, on the other hand, refers to the direct harmful effects of alcohol on the body, regardless of the drinker's psychological or social well-being. Alcohol is a toxic substance that can cause damage to multiple organs and systems in the body, including the liver, heart, and brain. This damage can be permanent and life-threatening. The toxic effects of alcohol are related to the amount consumed, with a general guideline suggesting that drinking more than two drinks per day for extended periods can lead to measurable and sometimes irreversible harm.

In the context of the question, three beers per night exceed the recommended upper limits for healthy adults. For men, the limit is four drinks in one day or 14 per week, while for women, it is three drinks in one day or seven per week. Exceeding these limits is considered "heavy" or "at-risk" drinking and increases the likelihood of developing health issues.

While the individual in the query may not exhibit signs of problem drinking, the prolonged consumption of three beers per night could lead to alcohol toxicity and cause unseen damage to their body. This could include liver scarring (cirrhosis), nerve damage, decreased heart function, high blood pressure, and other harmful effects. Additionally, combining alcohol with certain medications or medical conditions can further increase the risk of adverse health consequences.

To summarise, problem drinking and alcohol toxicity are distinct but interconnected concepts. Problem drinking focuses on the negative impact of alcohol on one's life, while alcohol toxicity refers to the direct toxic effects of alcohol on the body. Both can have severe consequences, and it is important to recognise and address these issues early on to prevent long-term harm.

Weekly upper limits for healthy adults

Drinking three beers a night, or 21 beers a week, is considered excessive drinking and can be harmful to one's health. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis), anemia, nerve damage, stomach inflammation, decreased heart function, and high blood pressure. It can also increase the risk of developing serious health problems such as cancers of the mouth, throat, and breast.

To keep health risks from alcohol consumption to a low level, it is recommended that healthy adults adhere to weekly upper limits. These limits are based on gender, with men allowed a higher intake than women due to differences in how their bodies process alcohol. Here are the recommended weekly upper limits for healthy adults:

Men:

According to guidelines, men should limit their alcohol consumption to no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, which equates to approximately four drinks per day. This amount is considered the upper limit for healthy adult males, and exceeding this limit is classified as "heavy" or "at-risk" drinking, increasing the likelihood of developing alcohol-related health issues.

Women:

For women, the recommended weekly upper limit is lower than that of men. Women should not consume more than seven drinks in a single week, which equates to approximately three drinks per day. Consuming more than this amount is considered excessive drinking and can have adverse effects on health.

Adults aged 65 and older:

Regardless of gender, adults aged 65 and older should limit their alcohol consumption to a maximum of seven drinks per week, with no more than one drink per day. This reduced limit is due to the body's decreased ability to process alcohol as efficiently as it ages.

Pregnant individuals or those trying to conceive:

Alcohol can pose risks to the developing fetus, and there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant individuals or those trying to conceive abstain from alcohol entirely.

It is important to note that these guidelines are based on binary sex assigned at birth and may not apply to transgender, non-binary, gender diverse, and intersex individuals. These individuals should consult their healthcare providers for personalized recommendations regarding alcohol consumption.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the definition of a "`standard`" drink may vary across different types and brands of alcoholic beverages. For example, a microbrew beer may contain more than 5% alcohol, which means consuming one 12-ounce can would equate to consuming two "standard" drinks.

Binge drinking

According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 61.4 million, or 21.7%, of people in the United States aged 12 and older reported binge drinking in the past month. Binge drinking is more common among young adults aged 18 to 25, with 28.7% reporting binge drinking in 2023. Among full-time college students in this age group, 49.0% drank alcohol, and 28.9% engaged in binge drinking in the past month.

Risky drinking

Drinking three beers a night is considered "risky drinking". Risky drinking means drinking too much, too often. As a rule of thumb, drinking more than two drinks daily for months can cause measurable and sometimes permanent damage to your body. One "drink" is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits—each of these servings contains roughly the same amount of alcohol.

For men, risky drinking means consuming more than four drinks on any given day. For women, it means having three drinks within the same time frame. It's important to note that the frequency of drinking also matters. For example, drinking seven drinks in one night and not drinking for the rest of the week is not the same as having one drink every night for a week. Regularly drinking heavily and often is considered risky.

The harmful effects of alcohol may take years or even decades to manifest. Even if an individual appears to "handle their liquor" without it affecting their job or family life, they may still be suffering from alcohol's toxic effects. Steady drinking of more than two drinks per day can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis), anemia, nerve damage, stomach inflammation, decreased heart function, high blood pressure, and other issues.

To determine whether an individual is suffering any serious consequences from drinking, it is recommended that they consult a physician for an evaluation. Blood tests, such as GGT (liver inflammation) and MCV (toxic effects of alcohol on the blood), can help detect early signs of alcohol-related damage.

Frequently asked questions