Excessive drinking is a problem in most parts of the world, with several individuals finding themselves partaking in the occasional binge now and then.
But, how many drinks a day is too many drinks? According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders, there are three levels of alcohol addiction which are mild, moderate, and severe.
The levels of drinking determine the extent to which one is susceptible to alcoholism. The different parameters aim to analyze one’s drinking behavior and gauge whether one is functioning or high functioning alcoholic.
The societal expectation of alcoholics being rough and rowdy has changed with time. High functioning alcoholics may not behave in a disorderly manner, and would often be organized, structured and successful. These individuals may occasionally indulge in a drink after work which will eventually turn into a binge drinking contest.
An individual may have the potential to be responsible and productive, a great achiever, or someone in a position of authority. Their drinking habits might be unnoticeable thus making people overlook his drinking habits.
Drinks per day and alcoholism
The standard drink size and alcohol consumption recommendations vary depending on the country. Excessive drinkers for women are those who consume eight or more drinks per week. Excessive drinking is defined as 15 or more drinks per week for men. These include 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of spirits.
These recommendations are based on standard-size drinks, which have roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol in them. That’s 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, 8 to 9 ounces of malt liquor, and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits or “hard” liquor (one-shot).
A standard drink in the United States includes about 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is equal to 12 ounces (355 mL) of regular beer, 5 ounces (150 mL) of wine, or 1.5 ounces (45 mL) of spirit (1Trusted Source).
Keep in mind that, while drink sizes are common, alcohol concentration varies, such as when drinking an India pale ale (IPA) beer or higher proof liquor.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
In short, a woman consuming more than eight drinks a week is considered a heavy drinker. This includes the occasional daily glass of wine daily, and the cocktail, wine, or beer every other weekend.
Being a moderate drinker is often confused with being an avid drinker. For instance, some According to the CDC, excessive alcohol consumption causes 88,000 fatalities per year and costs the United States more than $200 billion.
The new study also revealed an unexpected finding: 90 percent of excessive drinkers are not alcohol dependent, thus being alcoholics.
Sex and genetics are also important factors in determining the right amount of alcohol to consume in a day. For instance, women have a lower rate of alcohol metabolism than men. This makes them more vulnerable to alcohol’s harmful effects thus making it pertinent for them to consume less.
Women also generally have more body fat than men, making the alcohol levels more than in men. Therefore, breastfeeding and pregnant women should avoid the intake of alcohol as there isn’t any safe amount to take that is considered advisable.
All in all, it is important to consider whether you are becoming an excessive drinker based on the number of drinks you consume per day. The additional drink one is susceptible to having might just be crossing the line from a moderate to an excessive drinker.
Signs you are becoming an alcoholic
There are probably warning signs that aim to identify whether an individual is at risk of alcoholism and in need of help. For instance, individuals who are not able to keep up with their daily responsibilities as a result of drinking often tend to become high-functioning alcoholics. Some go on with their responsibilities perfectly but have damaged social relationships as a result of drinking.
Individuals who find themselves drinking alone or from the morning are also susceptible to becoming alcoholics. Additionally, those who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law are also susceptible to alcoholism.
Effects of alcohol in your body
Alcohol affects various functions and body organs in the body making them susceptible to disease. Below are some of the ways that alcohol affects the bodily organs:
- Alcohol dependency
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause dependency on the body making an individual crave for it and having the urge to indulge in copious amounts. The environment one puts themselves in can influence their probability of indulging in alcohol, therefore, heightening the dependency. However, genetics and one’s family history play a huge part in understanding why some individuals are more susceptible to alcohol dependency.
- Depression and anxiety
Individuals who are addicted to alcohol are prone to depression and anxiety, especially as a long-term effect. Alcohol gives a feeling of euphoria making the individual assume they are capable of handling their anxiety and stress. However, long-term effects often affect the body causing more stress and anxiety than taking away from it.
- Liver damage
Most of the alcohol consumed is metabolized by the lover. Therefore excessive alcohol consumption may cause the liver to be fatty thus inhibiting it from performing its function well. Individuals who drink more than five drinks a day are susceptible to chronic liver disease in the long run.
- Effect on the brain
Excessive alcohol intake affects the brain and nervous system. For instance, individuals who begin drinking at an early age often experience problems with their nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for speech, memory, and body coordination. This consequently leads to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in women past a certain age after alcohol dependency in their youth.
- Weight gain
Alcohol dependency has also been linked to weight gain, especially in the stomach area. Alcohol contains a lot of empty calories which fill up the body’s mass thus making an individual add weight.
