Yet a growing body of newer research shows that those claims may be a mirage. Some research suggests that wine provides the strongest protection against cardiovascular disease, possibly due to naturally occurring compounds known as flavonoids. However, other studies indicate that all alcoholic beverages offer cardioprotective benefits. Whether beverage type matters alcohol and drug detox treatment blog for other diseases remains uncertain, although most evidence suggests that it does not. Moderate intake of alcohol appears to have relatively low health risk for many people. However, alcohol consumption remains a challenging lifestyle factor to study, as most of what health care professionals know about its effects comes from observational research.
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These risks seem to cancel out evidence of alcohol’s cardiovascular benefits, which was weakened anyway when researchers did more nuanced studies. The heart-protective theory was based on the finding that moderate drinkers had better cardiovascular health than both nondrinkers (by a little bit) and heavy drinkers (by a lot). But those studies lumped all nondrinkers together, including those who had quit because of substance use issues or illness. As a result, “abstainers” looked relatively unhealthy, and “moderate” drinkers, many of whom exercise and eat well, looked pretty good.
Moderated Drinking: A Creative Strategy to Treat Alcoholism?
Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. Moderated drinking is, in many ways, easier than complete abstinence. When your goal is only one drink instead of no drinks how long does cocaine stay in your system what to expect at all, the temptation to stray can become less powerful and you can more often enjoy positive reinforcement from your successes. Maintaining moderation in drinking means starting out with a specific goal.
Risk factors
- She is co-host and co-creator of the Happy Eating Podcast, a podcast that breaks down the connection between food and mental wellness.
- Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol.
- For some people, the pandemic created more opportunities for reducing drinking.
- Knowing your personal risk based on your habits can help you make the best decision for you.
While consuming alcohol in moderation appears to have some benefits, it is important to remember that too much can be devastating for overall health and even life-threatening in the long run. Consuming moderate amounts of certain types of alcohol, such as wine, has shown some benefits. However, it is important to note that many studies making these claims are inconclusive. The threshold for safe alcohol consumption is closely linked to body weight. Consuming too much alcohol for too long can be damaging to health. While alcohol does not pose a risk to health on its own, abusing can lead to liver disease and other fatal conditions.
When to avoid alcohol
Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. So whether you raise a glass to Schaffner’s takeaway from the review paper (“don’t drink too much”) or lower it in response biofeedback to Rahman’s (“don’t drink”), it’s best to imbibe responsibly, if at all. Doctors can treat it with talk therapy, medicine, or both. Learn about different treatments for alcohol use disorder.
Moderate drinking can be more sustainable than abstinence. Once you are able to control how much you drink, you may find that you’re better able to enjoy family gatherings, social events, and work events. Moderation can open a window for you to defuse the emotional challenges that create the craving for relief that alcohol provides. Coma and death can occur if alcohol is consumed rapidly and in large amounts. Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor.
Talk with your doctor right away if you have signs of alcohol use disorder — even if you don’t think they’re causing any problems in your life. Certain health problems — like depression or anxiety, sleep problems, and chronic pain — can put you at a higher risk for alcohol use disorder. If drinking causes problems in your life, you may have alcohol use disorder (also called alcoholism). Please talk to your healthcare provider or another trusted adult if you have concerns about your drinking. One standard drink is equivalent to a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a drink with one shot of liquor. If your drinks are larger or stronger, count them as more than one drink.
While the pandemic seems to have triggered substantial increases in alcohol consumption, and in alcohol abuse, this is true on a macro level. For some people, the pandemic created more opportunities for reducing drinking. More time at home may have contributed to less peer pressure to drink, less time in a “wet” culture, and lifestyle changes that might support a shift towards moderation.
Here are some strategies to help you cut back or stop drinking. Please also visit the following sites to learn more about having a healthy and safe pregnancy. Don’t feel discouraged if it takes several attempts to reach your goal.
