How Much is Too Much?

Many of us look forward to St. Patrick's day and the opportunity to wear green and drink a few beers with friends. And, while one shamrock-colored beverage toasting St. Patrick might be okay, at what point are you imbibing too much? And, what can happen long-term if you drink too much too often?

Consumption Levels

First, let's take a closer look at how "too much" is defined.

Moderate drinking. This is classified as two drinks or less for men and one or less for women per day. Women are encouraged to drink less because their bodies absorb and metabolize alcohol differently than men. While their bodies eliminate it faster, their blood alcohol levels are higher than men's, even when they drink the same amount. One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 1.5 ounces of liquor or 5 ounces of wine.

Binge drinking. According to the CDC, women consume four or more drinks during a single occasion. For men, this is five or more. One in six adults binges around seven drinks about four times per month.

Heavy drinking. A heavy user is a man who consumes 15 drinks or more weekly. For a woman, this is eight or more. One in 10 deaths in those 20 to 64 are due to excessive drinking—and 70% of those are men.

Possible Long-Term Effects

While one too many drinks at a St. Patrick's Day party alone might not change your life drastically, continuing to binge or drink heavily does impact your health eventually. And studies show that the coronavirus pandemic has significantly increased the occurrence of alcohol overconsumption for many. Not only were 2020 alcohol sales 20% higher than in 2019, but binge drinking was also more common. One study indicated as much as a 41% increase in heavy drinking among women since the onset of the pandemic.

Here are a few of the long-term effects of drinking too much:

The brain. Long-term heavy drinkers have experienced shrinking of the hippocampus—the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. Alcohol can also alter your coordination, cause sleep problems and spike depression and anxiety.

Cancer risk. People who drink excessively have a higher risk of developing breast, mouth, throat, esophageal, liver and colon cancers. It's believed alcohol increases estrogen, which is linked to an increased risk of getting breast cancer.

Digestion. Heavy drinking can lead to stomach ulcers, acid reflux and heartburn. In addition, alcohol can irritate your system, leading to inflammation, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Your heart. Overdoing it can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure or stroke. Excessive alcohol use also can lead to cardiomyopathy—a condition where the heart loses its ability to pump blood properly.

Immune system. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, excessive drinking can hinder your immune system's inflammation signals, which means your body will take longer to respond to injury and infection. Thus, heavy drinkers are up to 7 times more susceptible to pneumonia and respiratory diseases.

Kidney function. Since alcohol dehydrates you, it also dries out the kidneys—the part of your body responsible for regulating fluid and electrolytes. It also makes kidneys less able to filter your blood.

Liver health. Continual use can cause fatty buildup, leading to inflammation and scar tissue that impairs liver function. Eventually, you could develop cirrhosis, which is irreversible.

If You Need Help

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found increased pandemic drinking was due to greater stress, increased alcohol availability and boredom. For help, talk to your doctor or call the free Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Back