Named the third highest preventative cause of death in the United States, alcohol abuse and alcoholism can cause health, career, and family problems and lead to an early death. Some studies show a benefit from alcohol consumption, but these benefits only show themselves when alcohol is used responsibly.
The body’s relationship with alcohol is complex. While moderate drinking may help stave off several cardiovascular problems, moderate to heavy drinking use can raise your risk of several conditions including breast cancer, stroke, and cirrhosis of the liver.
So what’s considered moderate social drinking?— Enjoying three to nine drinks spread over the course of a week—may be beneficial to your health. Men should generally limit themselves to two drinks per day, and women to one per day. One drink is equal to a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot.
Keep this in mind: If you don’t drink, there’s no research to suggest that starting will benefit your health. You’re better off working on the major heart disease risk factors—with proper diet, exercise and managing weight—than taking up drinking to solve the problem.
Get the Help You Need
The first step to getting appropriate treatment for problems with alcohol is to talk to your doctor. You can also self-refer to a behavioral health specialist by calling the phone number on the back of your WHA identification card. For more information about your behavioral or mental health services, visit mywha.org/BH.
UC employees, please check with your human resources personnel about behavioral health services through United Behavioral Health: www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/hr/hrdepts/asap/
Western Health Advantage 