Drinking too much alcohol can damage your health. From 2015 to 2019, excessive alcohol consumption will result in more than 140,000 deaths and 3.6 million years of potential life lost each year in the United States, reducing the average life expectancy of those who die by 26 years. In addition, one in 10 working-age adults aged 20-64 will die from excessive alcohol consumption. in 2010, the economic cost of excessive alcohol consumption was estimated at US$249 billion, or US$2.05 per drink.

• 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol by volume)
• 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol by volume)
• 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol by volume)
• 1.5 ounces of 80% (40% alcohol by volume) distilled spirits or spirits (e.g. gin, rum, vodka, whisky).

Binge drinking is the most common form of excessive drinking and is defined as the consumption:
For women, 4 or more drinks in one sitting.
For males, 5 or more drinks in one sitting.

Heavy drinking is defined as consuming:
For females, 8 or more drinks per week.
For men, 15 or more drinks per week.

Most people who drink excessively are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.

What is moderate drinking?
Moderate drinking: 1 drink or less per day for women; 2 drinks or less per day for men; or no alcohol
The US Dietary Guidelines recommend that adults of the legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or choose not to drink or to drink moderately, limiting alcohol intake to 2 drinks or less per day for men and 1 drink or less per day for women. Alcohol is allowed to be consumed. The guidelines also do not recommend that non-drinkers start drinking for any reason. If adults of the legal drinking age choose to drink alcoholic beverages, it is better for their health to drink less than to drink more.

Some people should not drink alcohol, including:

• People under the age of 21.
• Pregnant or likely to become pregnant.
• Driving, planning to drive, or engaging in other activities that require skill, coordination, and alertness.
• Taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that may interact with alcohol.
• Suffering from certain medical conditions.
• Recovering from alcohol abuse or being unable to control your drinking.

By following drinking guidelines, you can reduce the risk of harm to yourself or others.

Short-term health risks
Excessive alcohol consumption can have an immediate impact and increase the risk of many adverse health conditions. These are often the result of binge drinking and include the following:

• Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, and burns.
• Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
• Alcohol abuse is a medical emergency caused by high blood alcohol levels.
• Risky sexual behavior, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can lead to unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
• Miscarriages and stillbirths or pregnant women with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Long-term health risks
Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems, including:

• High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
• Breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice, liver, colon, and rectum cancers.
• Weakened immune system and increased risk of illness.
• Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor academic performance.
• Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
• Social problems include family problems, work-related problems, and unemployment.
• Alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence.

By not drinking too much alcohol, you can reduce your risk of these short and long-term health risks.

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