Impact of Alcohol Misuse
Alcohol is implicated in the deaths of some 85,000 Americans every year, making it the nation’s leading cause of preventable death after smoking and obesity.(1)
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (chapter 9, 2005) states that “the consumption of alcohol can have beneficial or harmful effects depending on the amount consumed, age and other characteristics of the person consuming the alcohol, and specifics of the situation.” Heavy drinking impairs judgment and leads to an increased likelihood of injury, violence and death. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption is a major cause of chronic disease and increases the risk of death from liver cirrhosis, hypertension and cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Even less than heavy consumption of alcohol is associated with significant risks. Consuming more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men increases the risk for motor vehicle accidents, other injuries, high blood pressure, stroke, violence, some types of cancer and suicide.(2)
To protect against alcohol-related harm, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that women limit their alcohol consumption to one drink per day and no more than two drinks per day for men. This practice is frequently referred to as low-risk consumption guidelines.
