Benefits with Commonwealth of Virginia

Alcohol and Public Health (Part 4)

How do I know if I have a drinking problem?

Drinking is a problem if it causes trouble in your relationships, in school, in social activities, or in how you think and feel. If you are concerned that either you or someone in your family might have a drinking problem, consult your personal health care provider.

What can I do if I or someone I know has a drinking problem?

Consult your personal health care provider if you feel you or someone you know has a drinking problem. Other resources include the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service available at 1-800-662-HELP. This service can provide you with information about treatment programs in your local community and allow you to speak with someone about alcohol problems.¹

What health problems are associated with excessive alcohol use?

Excessive drinking both in the form of either heavy drinking or binge drinking, is associated with numerous health problems, including

• chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis (damage to liver cells); pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas); various cancers, including liver, mouth, throat, larynx (the voice box), and esophagus; high blood pressure; and psychological disorders
• unintentional injuries, such as motor vehicle traffic crashes, falls, drowning, burns, and firearm injuries
• violence, such as child maltreatment, homicide, and suicide
• harm to a developing fetus if a woman drinks while pregnant, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• alcohol use disorders

I'm young. Is drinking bad for my health?

Yes.^{2, 3} Studies have shown that alcohol use by youth and young adults increases the risk of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.^{4, 5, 6} Research has also shown that youth who use alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to become alcohol dependent than adults who begin drinking at age 21.⁷ Other consequences of youth alcohol use include increased risky sexual behaviors, poor school performance, and increased risk of suicide and homicide.^{8, 9, 10}

Is it okay to drink when pregnant?

No. There is no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant should refrain from drinking alcohol.¹¹ Several conditions, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, have been linked to alcohol use during pregnancy. Women of child bearing age should also avoid binge drinking to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and potential exposure of a developing fetus to alcohol.

References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Substance abuse treatment facility locator. Available at Link opens in a new window https://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
2. U.S. National Research Council & Institute of Medicine. (2004). Reducing underage drinking: A collective responsibility. In Committee on developing a strategy to reduce and prevent underage drinking. Division of behavioral and social sciences and education. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). The surgeon general's call to action to prevent and reduce underage drinking. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
4. Hingson, R. W., Heeren, T., Jamanka, A., & Howland, J. (2000). Age of onset and unintentional injury involvement after drinking. Journal of the American Medical Association, 284, 1527-1533.
5. Hingson, R. W., Heeren, T., Winter, M., & Wechsler, H. (2005). Magnitude of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among U.S. college students ages 18-24: Changes from 1998 to 2001. Annual Review of Public Health, 26, 259-279.
6. Levy, D. T., Mallonee, S., Miller, T. R., Smith, G. S., Spicer, R. S., Romano, E. O., et al. (2004). Alcohol involvement in burn, submersion, spinal cord, and brain injuries. Medical Science Monitor, 10, 17-24.
7. U.S. Office of Applied Studies. (2004). Alcohol dependence or abuse and age at first use. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
8. U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2006). A comprehensive plan for preventing and reducing underage drinking. Washington, D.C: U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
9. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Alcohol-related disease impact (ARDI). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
10. Miller, J. W., Naimi, T. S., Brewer, R. D., & Jones, S. E. (2007). Binge drinking and associated health risk behaviors among high school students. Pediatrics, 119, 76-85.
11. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2005). U.S. surgeon general releases advisory on alcohol use in pregnancy; urges women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant to abstain from alcohol. Washington, DC; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.