Basics
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Health
Alcohol’s Effect on Individuals
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) BAC is the amount of alcohol that is present in the bloodstream. For example, having a BAC of 0.10 percent means there is about one drop of alcohol for every 1,000 drops of blood present in the body. At certain BAC levels, alcohol alters a person’s visual functions
Basics
Liquor
Health
Levels of Drinking
Drinking in moderation According to the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to two drinks or less in a day for
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Alcohol and Other Drugs
Using alcohol along with other drugs is unsafe because the effects may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone, and possibly even deadly. The health risks include: Overdose Injury Violence Risky sexual behavior Chronic disease Alcohol or other substance use disorders Mixing alcohol
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Short and Long Term Health Risks of Alcohol
Alcohol has immediate effects on health. Some of these are: Alcohol can cause dehydration. Consuming alcohol decreases the body’s production of the anti-diuretic hormone, resulting in the body retaining water. While drinking, increased urination and excessive sweating may occur, depending on one’s
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Women and Alcohol
The CDC reports excessive alcohol use is linked to more than 43,000 deaths among women each year. Because alcohol affects women differently than men, there are unique health and safety risks when women drink to excess. Data on the CDC website includes the following about women and alcohol use
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Alcohol and the Brain
It is good to understand how alcohol affects the brain and its functions: Alcohol is a depressant. The more you drink, the more specific parts of the brain are affected. The cerebrum controls functions like vision, reasoning, emotions, and recognition. As the amount of alcohol consumed increases
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Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite negative social, work, or health-related consequences. It is considered a brain disorder and may be mild, moderate, or severe. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and