Did you know that over 113 of Wisconsin adults report binge drinking in the last 30 days? With alcohol being so common, it’s crucial to understand that there is not a safe amount of alcohol that one can consume that does not affect health. If you choose to consume alcohol, you should do so responsibly. Sex, age, weight and other variables all play in role on how alcohol can impact your overall health.
Understanding Alcohol Use
If you are drinking, you are affecting your body as a whole. Many people may only think about the immediate effects that can be experienced. When drinking, the central nervous system is slowed. Universally, this causes a variety of different effects, feelings, and behaviors.
Some of the short-term effects one may experience are pleasant feelings like relaxation or a sense of euphoria. This happens because alcohol increases the release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. However, there are a lot of negative effects one may experience such as loss of coordination, gaps in memory, nausea or vomiting, hangovers and more.
Alcohol use can be a lot more serious it seems. Over time, drinking takes a toll on your entire body. Individuals who drink more frequently or are heavy drinkers are more prone to these effects. Some common long-term effects include memory and learning problems, weakened immune system, weight gain, organ diseases, cancer and more.
Alcohol Use Terms
Although alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorders are not the same, people often use labels interchangeably. Understanding the differences between the terms and using them correctly allows for a clearer picture and less confusion.
It is also important to note that an individual can be dependent or consume alcohol without having a disorder. Drinking is more of a spectrum rather than a white and black box you can place in a category.
Heavy Drinking: Is not a proper medical term, however, is defined by public health officials as consuming 15 or more drinks a week for men. For women, it is defined by drinking 8 or more drinks in a week.
Binge Drinking: A pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. For men, binge drinking is characterized by drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion. And for women, it is characterized by 4 or more drinks on one occasion.
Dependence: Occurs when an individual experiences symptoms of withdrawal characterized by changes a person goes through after they abruptly stop drinking from an extended period of alcohol use.
Alcohol Use Disorder: The most common type of SUD. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, AUD is characterized by a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. AUDs range from mild or moderate to severe.
Stigma around alcohol use
There are a lot of stigmas around AUD, mostly coming from inaccurate information or beliefs. This can make it challenging for individuals dealing with alcohol problems to reach out for help. According to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, evidence shows that stigma is one of the biggest barriers to people seeking treatment.
To reduce stigma around alcohol use disorder it is important to understand the correct language to use. When discussing AUD using the correct diagnostic term, alcohol use disorder, and not using labels with negative connotations is beneficial to minimize stigma.
Staying informed and educating yourself is also vital. Having the proper knowledge about AUD decreases stereotypes and biases. Several things can contribute as to why an individual develops AUD, including environmental, genetic, psychological, and behavioral factors.
Resources and Support
Visiting Southwest Health’s Community Health Resources provides community health resources groups that help connect people with resources through the southwest Wisconsin area. This provides several open and closed support groups along with different choices for online or in-person meetings.
Family also plays a pivotal role in recovery. According to the NIH, Families play a key role in motivating persons with AUD to recognize the need to change, providing support for change, and supporting long-term recovery.
In addition to support groups and families, there are several other resources that may be useful. Inpatient treatment centers, therapy, medication, and outpatient services can all play vital roles in one’s recovery from AUD.
Alcohol use affects every part of a person’s health and life. Understanding its risks is essential for making smart choices. Recognizing the differences between dependence and alcohol use disorder helps reduce confusion and encourage more accurate and compassionate conversations. Reducing stigma through education and respectful language allows individuals to seek help without fear or shame. With the support of community resources, family involvement, and a range of treatment options, people affected by AUD have multiple pathways towards healing and long-term recovery. Together, awareness, understanding, and accessible support create a stronger foundation for a healthier community.