Excessive Drinking: Meaning, Signs, Remedies, and Further Information
Alcohol Misuse is a significant public health concern in the United States, being the third leading preventable cause of cancer and contributing to a broad spectrum of chronic diseases and premature death. According to a national survey in 2019, 14.1 million adults (5.6%) and 414,000 adolescents aged 12-17 years (1.7%) were experiencing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States.
AUD is a medical condition characterized by the inability to control drinking, even when it negatively affects a person's life. Diagnosis involves a healthcare professional assessing symptoms and behaviors due to drinking, and asking questions about symptoms such as being unable to cut back or stop drinking, and engaging in risky behaviors after drinking. The severity of AUD is determined by the number of symptoms present, with mild AUD having 2-3 symptoms, moderate AUD having 4-5 symptoms, and severe AUD having more than 6 symptoms.
Long-term alcohol misuse leads to severe health effects impacting multiple organ systems and increasing mortality risks. Key long-term health effects include liver disease, brain and cognitive decline, increased cancer risk, cardiovascular problems, kidney impairment, pancreatic damage, respiratory vulnerabilities, mental health disorders, and mortality. Approximately 178,000 deaths annually in the U.S. are attributed to excessive alcohol use, with rising trends in heavy drinking and alcohol-related deaths exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If a person believes they are misusing alcohol, they should consider seeking medical help. Early intervention can help prevent some of the negative consequences of drinking. People with AUD may be at an increased risk of seizures due to dehydration from exercise.
Treatment for AUD may include medication, behavioral therapies, and support groups. Three FDA-approved medications are available for alcohol dependence: Naltrexone (Vivitrol), Acamprosate (Campral), and Disulfiram (Antabuse). Naltrexone is an injection given by a healthcare professional once a month and reduces the craving for alcohol. Acamprosate is a medication taken by mouth and thought to act by restoring the balance of chemicals in the brain. Disulfiram is a medication taken by mouth that interferes with the metabolism of alcohol, causing very unpleasant nausea and vomiting if alcohol is consumed.
Natural remedies such as thiamine supplements, probiotics, and frequent aerobic exercise may complement medical treatment and therapy for AUD. Probiotics may improve intestinal function and help prevent liver disease. Frequent aerobic exercise may complement behavioral therapy used for AUD, leading to reductions in alcohol intake. Proper nutrition and physical activity are important components of any recovery plan for AUD.
Mindfulness techniques such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and visualization may be useful for focusing thoughts away from drinking. Peer support groups can help people reduce or stop drinking and are available in person and online. Licensed therapists can provide reinforcement and motivation techniques, help people identify and avoid their triggers for drinking, and offer alternative ways for dealing with stress.
Anyone concerned about the drinking habits of themselves or loved ones can contact organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) for help. Drinking in moderation for women is defined as 1 drink or less per day, and for men as 2 drinks or less per day. Alcohol misuse is defined as 3 drinks or more per day for women or 4 drinks or more per day for men. Binge drinking is defined as more than 4 drinks for women or more than 5 drinks for men over a 2-hour period.
- Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that involves the inability to control drinking, leading to a broad spectrum of chronic diseases and premature death.
- Long-term alcohol misuse can cause severe health effects such as liver disease, brain and cognitive decline, increased cancer risk, cardiovascular problems, kidney impairment, pancreatic damage, and mental health disorders.
- Treatment for AUD may include FDA-approved medications like Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram, behavioral therapies, support groups, mindfulness techniques, and natural remedies like thiamine supplements, probiotics, and frequent exercise.
- People with AUD may be at an increased risk of seizures due to dehydration from exercise, and proper nutrition and physical activity are important components of recovery for AUD.
- Mindfulness techniques such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and visualization may help focus thoughts away from drinking, while peer support groups and licensed therapists can offer reinforcement, motivation, and alternative coping strategies.
- If someone is concerned about their own or a loved one's drinking habits, they can seek help from organizations like SAMHSA, NIAAA, and NCADD, and drinking in moderation is defined as 1 drink or less per day for women and 2 drinks or less per day for men.
