Theo Nash
Alcohol consumption and its effects on health have been widely studied. Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the central nervous system, altering a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing. While some studies suggest that moderate drinking may have health benefits, such as a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, the potential risks of alcohol consumption are well-documented, particularly for younger people. The legal drinking age in the United States is 21, and alcohol consumption by teens can lead to various negative consequences, including academic and health problems, as well as an increased risk of accidents and unsafe sexual behaviour. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can carry health risks, and heavy drinking can lead to social and financial issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal drinking age in the US | 21 |
| Alcohol-attributable mortality in 2019 | 2 million deaths among men and 600,000 among women |
| Age group with the highest proportion of alcohol-attributable deaths in 2019 | 20-39 years |
| Estimated number of people aged 15 years and older with alcohol use disorders | 400 million |
| Estimated number of people with alcohol dependence | 209 million |
| Risk factors | Amount consumed, frequency of drinking, health status, age, sex, and other personal characteristics |
| Alcohol-related risks for teens | Unprotected sex, drowning, homicide, suicide, car crashes, organ damage |
| Factors influencing how people respond to alcohol | Genetics, body weight, gender, age, beverage type, food in the system, medications, state of health |
| Factors influencing the level of intoxication | Body weight, body water, alcohol content |
| Recommended limit for people over 65 | No more than 1 drink a day |
| Risks of low levels of alcohol consumption | Increased risk of certain cancers |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
The effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can vary, and not all babies will be affected equally. However, it is impossible to predict which babies will be impacted. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should avoid alcohol consumption altogether to minimise any potential risks to the baby. Even drinking as little as one beer a day has been linked to decreased birth weights and spontaneous abortions. Binge drinking during pregnancy can also have adverse effects on the fetus, particularly if it occurs during critical stages of organ formation.
Certain demographic factors have been associated with a higher prevalence of prenatal alcohol use. For example, a 2013 survey found that American Indian and Alaska Native women had a higher risk for alcohol use disorder during pregnancy compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Additionally, women aged 35-44, non-Hispanic Black women, college graduates, and employed women were more likely to reduce rather than quit alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Social stressors have also been linked to ongoing alcohol use during the third trimester.
If a pregnant woman has consumed alcohol, it is essential to discuss this with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. While it may be challenging to stop drinking alcohol immediately, it is never too late to discontinue alcohol use during pregnancy. Doing so will improve the baby's health and well-being. Seeking support from a healthcare professional, such as a midwife, doctor, or pharmacist, can help address any concerns or difficulties in reducing alcohol intake during pregnancy.
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Alcohol and underage drinking
Alcohol is the most widely used substance among young people in the United States, and it poses enormous health and safety risks. Underage drinking is a serious public health issue, with about 19.9% of youth aged 14 to 15 reporting having consumed alcohol in their lifetime. In 2023, 5.6 million young people aged 12 to 20 reported drinking alcohol beyond "just a few sips" in the past month.
The consequences of underage drinking are severe and far-reaching. Firstly, it causes many deaths, including from motor vehicle crashes, homicides, alcohol overdoses, falls, burns, drowning, and suicides. Alcohol impairs decision-making, leading to risk-taking behaviours that result in injuries and health issues. Underage drinking is associated with violent behaviour, property damage, and sexual assault. It also increases the risk of physical and sexual assault, with victims or perpetrators of interpersonal violence more likely to have been drinking.
Underage drinking also leads to academic problems, with poor school performance and higher school absences. It increases the risk of alcohol problems later in life, with those who start drinking before age 15 being more likely to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD). Interfering with brain development, alcohol may cause cognitive or learning problems and increase vulnerability to AUD, especially with heavy drinking.
Additionally, underage drinking is linked to social issues, such as family problems, and legal troubles. It often coincides with the use of other substances, including prescription and illicit drugs, which can have serious health consequences when mixed with alcohol. Alcohol is also associated with unprotected sex, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and unplanned pregnancies.
The societal costs of underage drinking are substantial, including lost lives, decreased productivity, and increased healthcare expenses. With approximately 4,000 young people dying annually from excessive alcohol use, the prevention of underage drinking is a critical public health priority.
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Alcohol-related health risks
Alcohol consumption, even at low levels, can bring health risks. Most alcohol-related harm, however, comes from heavy episodic or continuous drinking. Alcohol is an established carcinogen and increases the risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, head and neck, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers. Excessive alcohol consumption can harm not only the liver but also the brain, gut, pancreas, lungs, cardiovascular system, and immune system. It can also cause mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, and increase the risk of stroke.
Younger people are disproportionately affected by alcohol consumption, with the highest proportion (13%) of alcohol-attributable deaths in 2019 occurring among people aged between 20 and 39. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), the most severe form being fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is associated with developmental disabilities and birth defects. Even drinking as little as one beer a day has been associated with decreased birth weights and spontaneous abortions.
Alcohol also has negative social impacts, including family problems, issues at work, financial problems, and unemployment. Additionally, a significant part of the alcohol-attributable disease burden arises from injuries such as road traffic accidents. In 2019, of a total of 298,000 deaths from alcohol-related road crashes, 156,000 deaths were caused by someone else's drinking.
While some studies suggest that moderate drinking may have health benefits, these findings are highly debated. More recent studies show that there are no health benefits of moderate drinking compared to not drinking at all. The level of risk associated with alcohol consumption depends on several factors, including the amount consumed, frequency of drinking, health status, age, sex, and other personal characteristics.
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Alcohol's effect on the central nervous system
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows down brain activity. It can affect mood, behaviour, self-control, memory, and coordination. It can also cause physical control issues and raise blood pressure and heart rate. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can carry health risks, and heavy drinking can lead to serious cognitive problems.
Alcohol abuse is a significant health problem worldwide, with 2.6 million deaths attributed to alcohol consumption in 2019. Alcohol-related deaths were highest among men, with 2 million deaths compared to 600,000 among women. Younger people are disproportionately affected by alcohol, with the highest proportion of alcohol-related deaths occurring in individuals aged 20-39.
The central nervous system (CNS) is a major target for the adverse effects of alcohol, which can promote the development of neurological diseases such as stroke, brain tumours, and multiple sclerosis. Alcohol-induced molecular changes in white matter can cause conduction disturbances in neurotransmission, leading to cognitive dysfunction. These changes correlate with cognitive dysfunctions in alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Recent studies have revealed an association between excessive alcohol consumption and neurodegeneration. Alcohol-induced oxidative responses interfere with AQP4 activity, causing activity-related swelling in the extracellular space in white matter tracts, which plays a key role in the neurodegenerative process.
Additionally, alcohol abuse can lead to thiamine deficiency, resulting in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) due to impaired mitochondrial oxidation. Normal glucose homeostasis is crucial for maintaining brain function, and any disruption can lead to neuronal toxicity and neurodegenerative effects. Alcohol acts as an antagonist for the NMDA receptor, a primary excitatory brain neurotransmitter, causing hypofunction in AUD.
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Alcohol and older people
Alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harm are increasing among older adults, and at a faster rate for women than men. Alcohol misuse includes binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, and consumption at lower levels that may be harmful to certain individuals. As people age, changes in their bodies and their physical and mental health may cause alcohol to affect them differently and put them at greater risk for negative consequences.
Older adults are more susceptible to the sedative effects of alcohol, as well as its effects on balance, coordination, attention, and driving skills. This makes them more prone to falls, car crashes, and other injuries. Older people also have thinner bones, which are more susceptible to fractures. Furthermore, due to changes in body composition, older adults may reach higher blood alcohol concentrations than younger people after consuming the same amount, leading to alcohol-related problems at lower drinking amounts.
Medications are another important consideration for older adults who consume alcohol. Many older adults take medications that can interact dangerously with alcohol, impacting their effectiveness or resulting in adverse effects such as memory impairments, increased risk of bleeding or liver damage, and even overdose.
Depression in older adults is often associated with drinking too much, and major life changes such as the loss of a loved one, declining health, or relocation can contribute to the development of a harmful reliance on alcohol. It is important to note that alcohol consumption can worsen existing health problems and make certain medical conditions harder to diagnose and treat. For example, alcohol can mask pain that might indicate a heart attack and cause confusion and forgetfulness, which could be mistaken for symptoms of dementia.
While some studies suggest that moderate drinking may have health benefits, such as a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, the findings are highly debated. More recent studies indicate that there are no health benefits of moderate drinking compared to abstinence. Alcohol consumption, even at low levels, carries health risks, and the safest option is to avoid drinking altogether.
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Frequently asked questions
21.
Teenagers who drink are more likely to get into fights, commit crimes, and have unprotected sex, which can lead to STDs and unplanned pregnancies. They are also at a higher risk of injuring themselves, performing poorly in school, and gaining weight.
Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the central nervous system, altering a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can increase the risk of certain cancers.
Genetics, body weight, gender, age, the type of beverage, food in the stomach, medications, and a person's state of health.
Older people tend to have a higher fat-to-muscle ratio and less body water, so they may have a higher concentration of alcohol in their blood compared to younger people of the same weight. Additionally, older individuals are more likely to be taking medications that interact with alcohol.
