Sober living

However, if you drink a light to moderate amount and you’re healthy, you can probably continue as long as you drink responsibly. Be sure to check with your doctor about what’s right for your health and safety. After evaluating drinking patterns and possible concerns related to alcohol consumption as well as gaining an understanding of what https://ecosoberhouse.com/ entails, a person may then decide if this program will work for them. Some individuals may opt to go with an abstinence-based program instead while others may decide that moderation will work for them.

If you are concerned that either you or someone in your family might have a drinking problem, consult your personal health care provider. The legal limit for drinking is the alcohol level above which a person is subject to legal penalties (e.g., arrest or loss of a driver’s license). People with a parent, grandparent, or other close relative with alcoholism have moderate drinking a higher risk for becoming dependent on alcohol. For many, it may be difficult to maintain low-risk drinking habits. Heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause brain damage and other serious problems in the baby. Because it is not yet known whether any amount of alcohol is safe for a developing baby, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not drink.

Alcohol Use and Your Health

About half of cases of liver disease are attributed to drinking. It can cause cancer because it breaks down in the body to form a compound called acetaldehyde, which damages DNA. And according to the WHO, half of cancers in Europe linked to alcohol are caused by “light” or “moderate” consumption. Moderation management programs could potentially be helpful for those who do not struggle with alcohol dependence. They can provide methods and tools to promote responsible and safe alcohol consumption in moderation.

Many people assume the occasional beer or glass of wine at mealtimes or special occasions doesn’t pose much cause for concern. But drinking any amount of alcohol can potentially lead to unwanted health consequences. Here, we dig into the research and talk with an expert to cull a list (albeit a short one) of the most promising health benefits of moderate drinking. Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior.

For Both Men & Women:

By not drinking too much, you can reduce the risk of these short- and long-term health risks. Slurred speech, a key sign of intoxication, happens because alcohol reduces communication between your brain and body. This makes speech and coordination — think reaction time and balance — more difficult. That’s one major reason why you should never drive after drinking. If you drink, you’ve probably had some experience with alcohol’s effects, from the warm buzz that kicks in quickly to the not-so-pleasant wine headache, or the hangover that shows up the next morning.