Things you need to know about Alcohol.

Alcoholism is an inexact but popular term, encompassing two distinct conditions: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Alcohol use in excess of “drinking in moderation” is epidemiologically associated with excess morbidity and mortality. 


The rates of abuse and dependence in persons 18 to 29 years of age are twice those for the nation as a whole. The overall estimated societal costs of alcohol-related health problems, lost productivity, crime, accidental deaths, and fires are staggering (>$185 billion). The estimated direct cost of treatment for alcohol problems and medical consequences approaches $26 billion, with more than $18 billion for medical care alone.

Drinking in Moderation

The behavioral hallmark of moderate drinking is that it is under easy voluntary control. With the caveat that a given dose of alcohol affects different people differently, drinking in moderation may be defined quantitatively as on average two or fewer drinks per day for men and one or fewer for women and the elderly. Furthermore, for drinking to be “moderate,” no single episode of drinking should exceed four drinks for men or three drinks for women, where a standard drink contains roughly 12 g, 15 mL, or 0.5 oz of alcohol (which is the approximate content of 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of liquor, respectively)

Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence is defined as a maladaptive pattern of use, resulting in substantial distress or dysfunction, characterized by at least three of seven symptoms that include tolerance, withdrawal, unsuccessful attempts at cutting down, and preoccupation with and recurrent use of alcohol despite adverse consequences in important areas of life. Patients drink more than they intend and may give up important activities because of drinking. Most problem drinkers are employed, employable, or in families, indicating that the scope of the problem extends far beyond those who meet formal diagnostic criteria.

Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of alcohol abuse and dependence are incompletely understood, but the etiology is clearly multifactorial. Biogenetic, sociocultural, psychological, and behavioral influences have been identified. No single factor accounts for all manifestations, but attention to each contributes to a better understanding the problem.

Medical Complications

The risk of organ damage is related in part to the dose and duration of alcohol exposure, with some conditions (e.g., alcoholic cardiomyopathy, fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, or anemia) manifesting reversibility with abstinence, and others (e.g., cirrhosis or neuropathy) seeming to progress inexorably once organ damage has occurred. Predicting the risk of irreversible organ damage is imperfect; occasionally, resilience is afforded by abstinence and good nutrition. Risk appears to be a function of genetic predisposition, alcohol dose, and chronicity of exposure.

Increases in the risks of breast cancer and osteoporosis are associated with drinking on average more than two standard drinks daily. (Moderate drinking is associated with a modest reduction in breast cancer mortality.) Fetal alcohol syndrome occurs in infants born to mothers who drink heavily during pregnancy. 

Alcoholic hepatitis, pancreatitis, and gastritis may follow binge drinking. Fatty liver and esophagitis ensue from chronic use. Late-stage complications includecirrhosis and oral cancers.

Cerebellar degenerative disease, peripheral neuropathy, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, and Korsakoff’s dementia are among the serious neurologic consequences of alcohol excess.

Conclusion: Too much of alcohol is dangerous to your health.