Decide how many days a week you’ll drink and how much you’ll drink on those days. It’s also a good idea to have some days when you don’t drink at all. Technically, the only truly safe level of drinking is not drinking at all. However, moderate drinking for many people this is not realistic, nor is this what most people want. If you think you or a loved one may have developed a dependence or AUD from binge drinking, consider reaching out to a physician or therapist for help.

• Understanding state-by-state regulations around BAC is essential, both for legal reasons and to know when you’ve had too much to drink.
• These are not scientific terms by any means; they are merely the phrases that have come to be adopted by individuals in their day-to-day use of language, and their definitions are highly subjective.
• Brian has a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Benin and has worked as a Lab Scientist and as a public healthcare officer.

While moderate drinking is undoubtedly a better idea than binge drinking, no amount of alcohol is completely risk-free when it comes to your health. Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21. Whether you’re on the path to sobriety or drinking in moderation, it’s a rewarding result of self-reflection and the beginning of a new and healthy relationship with alcohol. Another tip to consider when exploring how to drink in moderation is setting attainable goals.

What is a standard drink in the United States?

Use these tips to talk with someone about cutting back or quitting drinking. Keeping track of each drink may help you drink less overall. You can also make notes in your smartphone to keep track of your drinks. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. People who have had problems with alcohol in the past may want to consult a doctor or therapist for help regulating their behaviors around drinking. However, it’s important to keep in mind that naltrexone will not prevent you from becoming inebriated or drunk from alcohol.

Talk with a doctor or nurse if you’re having a hard time cutting back on your drinking. Talk with your doctor right away if you have signs of alcohol use disorder — even if you don’t think they’re causing any problems in your life. Certain health problems — like depression or anxiety, sleep problems, and chronic pain — can put you at a higher risk for alcohol use disorder.

Binge drinking significantly raises heart disease risk

Just because you can’t feel the typical “high” from alcohol while taking naltrexone, it does not mean you should drive or perform other dangerous activities while under the influence of alcohol. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Drinking also adds calories that can contribute to weight gain. And drinking raises the risk of problems in the digestive system.

For this study, Dr. Rana and his team analyzed alcohol use data from more than 430,000 people who received care at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. At first, the staff had thought he was suffering a heart attack, but a CT scan found that part of his small intestine had been perforated. A surgical team repaired the hole, saving his life, but the surgeon had some questions.

Is any amount of alcohol safe?

Heavy drinking also has been linked to intentional injuries, such as suicide, as well as accidental injury and death. MNT also spoke with Monique Richard, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, who was not surprised by the study’s findings because while a https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-symptoms-timeline-and-treatment/ little bit of a good thing can be beneficial, a lot of anything can be harmful. There are plenty of alcohol alternatives out there for you to explore, even in the crisp white wine category. By adhering to the Dietary Guidelines, you can reduce the risk of harm to yourself or others.

Women usually have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (AHD) than men. Consequently, alcohol remains in a woman’s system longer and builds up faster. The threshold for safe alcohol consumption is closely linked to body weight. During pregnancy, drinking may cause the unborn baby to have brain damage and other problems. Heavy drinking also may result in alcohol withdrawal symptoms.