How Much Alcohol Is Too Much

Most people indulge in an alcoholic drink or two occasionally, which is considered normal. However, if you find that your drinking is increasing, it’s important to know how much alcohol is too much, warning signs to watch for, and the dangers of too much alcohol.

What Amount of Alcohol Is Considered Excessive?

Alcohol limits are different for men and women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommended limits are up to one drink per day, seven per week for women, and two per day, fourteen per week for men. Anything over that is considered excessive due to the health risks.

Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks in two hours for women, and five or more for men. Heavy drinking is eight or more drinks per week for women, and fifteen or more per week for men.

One drink is:

• 12 oz of beer (about 5% alcohol)
• 5 oz of wine (about 12% alcohol)
• 5 oz of distilled spirits (about 40% alcohol)

Alcohol Tolerance

If you are drinking more than you used to, it may be due to alcohol tolerance. Over time, your brain and body adapt to alcohol, which results in needing more alcohol to get the same effects. This is one of the warning signs that you may have an alcohol dependency or an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Health Dangers of Too Much Alcohol

Too much alcohol can have serious effects on nearly all parts of the body.

Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Over time, alcohol use damages the brain, killing brain cells and shrinking brain tissue. This leads to memory problems, cognitive impairment, and an inability to think clearly.

One even more serious complication of alcohol abuse is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS). WKS is a rare disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine) that leads to memory loss. Chronic alcohol use can lead to a B1 deficiency.

WKS has two stages:

• Wernicke encephalopathy: A sudden and serious brain disorder that causes confusion, memory loss, loss of coordination, eye problems, and coma. This condition requires immediate medical treatment.
• Korsakoff syndrome: A long-term memory disorder.

WKS can be treated with B1 supplements, hydration, and abstinence, but memory issues may remain.

Effects of Alcohol on the Heart

Long-term alcohol use may lead to several heart conditions, including arrythmias, damage to the heart muscle itself, palpitations, and even a heart attack. One serious complication that can come from alcohol abuse is cardiomyopathy, which is enlargement of the heart that leads to the heart not being able to pump effectively.

Effects of Alcohol on the Liver

It’s well known that alcohol use can damage the liver. This often happens in three stages.

1. Fatty liver: A buildup of fat deposits in the liver, usually asymptomatic, but may cause elevated liver enzymes and fatigue.
2. Alcoholic hepatitis: Liver inflammation, liver cell necrosis, and scarring. Symptoms include pain, weakness, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice, and abdominal distension.
3. Alcoholic cirrhosis: Scar tissue in the liver, and loss of liver function. Symptoms include the symptoms of hepatitis plus shrunken liver, enlarged spleen, hypertension, intestinal bleeding, and confusion.

Effects of Alcohol on the Pancreas

Alcohol abuse can cause pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, severe abdominal pain that can radiate to the back, and distention of the abdomen.

Effects of Alcohol on the Kidneys

Alcohol can cause kidney damage, making them less efficient and potentially leading to kidney failure.

Effects on the Gastrointestinal System

Alcohol can cause inflammation in the stomach and intestines, and swelling in the esophagus. You may experience, bloating, nausea, acid reflux, gas, abdominal pain, and cramping.

Cancer Risks

Alcohol can increase the risk of cancer for several reasons. Alcohol contains ethanol, which is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen. Alcohol also causes oxidation which can damage DNA, fats, and proteins, and affects the way the body absorbs vitamins that can prevent cancer.

Some of the types of cancer that are linked to chronic alcohol use include:

• Breast cancer
• Liver cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Head and neck cancer

Warning Signs That You’re Drinking Too Much

In addition to affecting your health, drinking too much can impact your life when it becomes a problem. Some warning signs to watch for include:

• Negative consequences of drinking, such as arguing with loved ones about your drinking, feeling guilty about drinking, or more significant consequences like a DUI charge.
• Not remembering what you did while drinking (blacking out).
• Embarrassment over how much you drink.
• Anxiety that there may not be enough alcohol at the place where you will be drinking.
• Lying about your drinking or hiding it.
• Drinking more than you intended.
• Drinking to medicate certain feelings such as anxiety.
• Failing to meet responsibilities because you’re drinking.
• Wanting to cut down on alcohol use but not being able to.
• Having withdrawal symptoms when you’re not drinking.

Alcohol Use Disorder Defined

In addition to the signs discussed, another way to know if you have a problem is to evaluate yourself based on the clinical definition of alcohol use disorder, which specifies 11 criteria that indicate that an alcohol use disorder is present.

1. Drinking more than intended or for longer than intended
2. Wanting to reduce or stop alcohol use but not being able to
3. Spending excessive amounts of time drinking or recovering from drinking
4. Feeling cravings for alcohol
5. Failing to live up to responsibilities due to alcohol use
6. Having relationship problems because of alcohol use
7. Giving up activities that you enjoy in order to drink instead
8. Engaging in risky behaviors like driving while drinking or under the influence
9. Continuing to drink in spite of negative consequences like health issues
10. Needing more alcohol to get the same effects
11. Having withdrawal symptoms when you are not drinking

Having two to three of these symptoms indicates a mild AUD, four to five is considered moderate, while six or more is severe. Even a mild AUD requires treatment, but your level will determine the intensity of the treatment that you need.

In Closing

If you think that you’re drinking too much alcohol, it’s time to take a step back and self-evaluate to determine if you have a problem. If you believe that you’ve developed an alcohol use disorder, Bridge of Hope is here to help with comprehensive treatment programs. We are committed to providing personalized, compassionate care to help you lead a healthier life.