Few people know that ethyl alcohol acts on the human body like a poisonous substance. However, this scientifically proven fact does not increase the number of abstainers. Someone drinks at big parties, and those for whom Friday night is already a reason to throw an alcoholic drink and do not want to hear about the dangers of alcoholic beverages. Defending a healthy lifestyle, doctors figured out how often you can drink alcohol so that there are no tangible negative consequences for the body.
The article shows the average values. Sex, age, weight, the presence of diseases can change them in one direction or another.
Classification of drinkers in domestic narcology
Depending on the frequency and amount of alcohol consumption, experts divide people into five groups.
The word abstinence refers to abstinence from anything, including alcohol. Doctors call abstinent people who do not drink at all or drink a glass of champagne several times a year. Often, teetotalers have three reasons to be sober:
- biological - an allergy to alcohol, when even the use of a small dose leads to severe poisoning; in addition, ethyl alcohol can cause unusual intoxication, when depression and depression occur instead of an increase in mood;
- doctor - when you cannot drink due to the presence of diseases; Behavioral
- : A person deliberately decided not to drink a single gram of alcohol.
Some teetotalers can sometimes drink a little, so as not to look like an outcast in the company of drinkers. But the alcohol dose is very small, so they never get drunk. Most of the time, teetotalers find some reason not to get paid at all.
In this category, doctors classify people who consume no more than 250 ml of vodka several times a year, but no more than once a month. Basically they start drinking in adulthood, observing the rituals, but they don't get much pleasure from drinking, on the contrary, the morning after a party they feel the symptoms of a hangover. Therefore, at the age of forty they often pass into the category of abstainers and cannot even tolerate the smell of fumes.
This is the most controversial group, as there is no single opinion on moderate and high doses of alcoholic beverages in the medical environment. Russian narcologists classify a moderate drinker who drinks an average of 100-150 ml of vodka (maximum 400 ml) 1 to 4 times per month. These people are the organizers of parties and meetings with friends, as drinking alcohol for them means improving their mood.
These people are able to take 200-300ml of vodka once or twice a week (maximum 500ml). Usually, their alcoholic experience begins even before the onset of adulthood, and after a few years alcohol occupies an important place in the value system of life. Psychological dependence on ethyl alcohol is formed gradually and this indicates the first stage of alcoholism.
According to doctors, this group includes a person who drinks half a liter or more of vodka several times a week. It is difficult for him to suppress the desire to drink, alcohol becomes a priority in life. To reach the state of intoxication, you need to drink more and more. Constant intake of such doses leads to sleep disturbances, various diseases of the internal organs and deterioration of the personality. No matter how much the doctors would like not to spoil the statistics, but things must be called by their own names, this is alcoholism in the second stage of addiction.
If you recognize yourself in the last two items on the list, it's not too late to stop and stop the progression of the disease. You can start your journey to a sober lifestyle by taking medications that are available for free on the Internet. They reduce the craving for alcohol and at the same time help the body get rid of alcoholic toxins.
World Alcohol Standards
The World Health Organization has defined a standard portion of alcohol called a drink or unit. It is equal to the amount of a drink containing 10 g of pure alcohol. For example, a drink will be a bottle (330ml) of beer, 150ml of dry wine, or 45ml of vodka or brandy.
You can find out the amount of ethanol in other drinks based on the information on the label: displacement and strength in percentage by volume.
Based on this standard, WHO has developed a recommendation and, minimizing the risk of complications in the form of somatic diseases and alcoholism:
- it is recommended that men drink no more than 40 g of ethanol per day, which is equal to 100 g of vodka;
- the daily portion for women should not exceed 30 g of alcohol, that is, no more than 80 g of vodka or a glass of wine.
When asked how often alcoholic beverages can be drunk, doctors reply that this should not be done every day, even if the dose is just one drink. On the contrary, breaks are needed between drinking alcohol, not less than two days.
Safe drinking is a relative concept
Guided by the recommendations of renowned experts, it is necessary to take into account a number of individual factors, according to which even a standard portion once a week can lead to negative consequences for the drinker.
- You should not drink under any pretext for those who are allergic to ethanol or alcoholic beverage components (dyes, flavors), as well as people with chronic diseases of the stomach, liver and other internal organs.
- It is not advisable for people with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism (one of the parents has been drinking) to start getting acquainted with strong drinks.
- There is no concept of "safe consumption" for people under the age of majority. Even one hundred grams of vodka taken once can cause enormous damage to a teenager's still shapeless body.
- Doctors advise against drinking for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as it is harmful to the baby.
WHO doctors have come to the conclusion that an average person can drink 8 liters of alcohol without harm to health in a year. In Russia, statistics show that there are up to 18 liters of alcohol per drinker, that is, the norm is exceeded more than twice.
Debunking the myths about the safety of low alcohol drinks should help grow the culture of drinking. Often it is with beer and cocktails that alcoholism begins in women and teenagers who are confident that there is no harm from weak grade drinks.
Why is beer so popular?
Many people like beer that contains less alcohol than vodka.
“I drink beer, it's a low alcohol drink. Therefore, I am not addicted. "
It seems to a person who drinks beer that he is not afraid of the alcoholism of beer.
The man adds: “After all, there are people who drink vodka - they are alcoholics, not me. I have no problems ".
However, these beliefs do not justify a person's beer alcoholism.
How often can you drink alcohol
New Year's Eve without the clink of champagne glasses. Wedding or birthday without a toast. Meeting friends without 100 grams of vodka or a bottle of beer. Family celebrations with tea only. "Presentations" that do not include a bottle of expensive wine or notably aged cognac. No, this is not the world after the Apocalypse, this is just an existence where no one will drink alcohol. It's hard to imagine that at least some of the events that modern people are used to can take place without alcohol. However, no one will say that you cannot drink at all - it is enough to use strong drinks wisely and not too often (the norm is definitely not every day). You can drink a small amount of beer, vodka or wine without harm to your health and with pleasure.
As much as possible
WHO standards define a standard dose of alcohol ("drink" or "unit") as a serving of alcohol that contains 10 grams of pure ethanol (96%). There are special tables that allow you to calculate the amount of ethanol contained in a given drink based on the data provided by the manufacturer (each bottle is provided with information on the number of milliliters (grams) of alcohol and its percentage by volume). To simplify these calculations, we can say that, on average, the equivalent of the norm for a dose-drink:
Objections from beer opponents
With regular and unrestrained use, beer causes severe damage to the heart: it becomes flaccid, increases in size, the heart cavities expand, the rhythm is disturbed. Beer contains female hormones, so men who drink beer become effeminate over the years, both in appearance and character.
Since getting used to beer is a rather quick process, opponents of this drink warn, sooner or later you will stop thinking about yourself in the company of friends without a bottle of beer; going to nature without alcohol will become useless for you; gradually, there will be no free time without alcohol in life.
It looks scary. But after re-reading the arguments of the supporters, everything still doesn't seem so bleak. So who is right? Is it okay to drink beer or not?
The truth is probably somewhere in between. If you look closely at the arguments of beer advocates, you will notice that they mostly refer to a small but regular consumption of beer, no more than one bottle per day. If you start drinking this drink in liters, there may be no benefit, but small doses 1-2 times a week (not every day, in fact) can really bring more benefit than harm. And drink only quality beer, preferably fresh and unfiltered - the benefits will be evident.
Consume alcoholic beverages without harm to health
According to statistics, in 2020 Russia was ranked 6th among the top ten most drinking countries in the world. The average Russian man consumes 15. 1 liters of alcohol per year, and a woman - 7. 8 liters. Vodka is the most preferred in our country, but in recent times the use of wine has also grown. How often can you drink, what and in what quantities, in order not to harm your health? What are the standards and rules for drinking alcohol? Read this article.
It is no secret that the ethanol contained in alcoholic beverages has a harmful effect on the human body, like a poison. And despite the fact that this fact has long been scientifically proven, there is no increase in people leading a sober lifestyle in the world. Most don't even want to hear about the dangers of alcoholism, considering every weekend a reason to drink. But despite this, doctors tirelessly continue to strive for a healthy lifestyle, setting ethanol standards for people who will not be able to negatively affect their health and well-being.
Classification of drinkers in domestic narcology
Experts have divided people into five groups, depending on the amount and frequency of alcoholic beverages they drink.
- Abstentions are people who are indifferent or negative about alcohol. The state of intoxication does not give them pleasure, causes physical discomfort or is unacceptable for moral reasons. Abstainers can be absolute, who categorically do not use alcohol, and relatives, who can afford to drink no more than 100 ml of low-alcohol drinks 2-3 times a year. Abstainers from the absolute group are also divided into three types. The first - organic - is allergic to alcohol or discomfort after taking it. The second - medical - strong drinks are prohibited due to the presence of any disease. The third-behavioral-a person deliberately refuses alcohol, simply because she has decided to.
Be careful! Abstainers can sometimes afford a small dose of alcohol, but this is rare. They never get drunk and often find some reason not to drink.
- Accidental drinkers are people who do not feel like drinking, but can afford to drink up to 250ml of strong drink no more than once a month. The state of intoxication is weakly expressed and does not give them pleasure. Even after drinking so little, these people experience hangover symptoms the next morning. Therefore, at a more mature age, they often already begin to belong to the abstinent group.
- Moderate drinkers are people who drink up to 400ml of strong drinks 1 to 4 times a month. Drinkers in this category like to be in a state of intoxication and often initiate libations in company. In the medical field, there is no unequivocal opinion about high and moderate doses of alcohol, so this group is considered the most controversial: the intake of alcoholic beverages for such people is considered a way to raise their mood.
- Systematic drinkers: People who consume up to 500ml of alcohol up to twice a week. They use drunkenness as a way to relax, have fun and find a common language with the environment. This category is characterized by alcohol abuse, as a result of which there is a weakening of self-control and behavioral disorders. These people often experience a hangover after the holidays and often start drinking from a younger age, as a result of which, over time, they develop a psychological addiction to alcohol, so strong drinks occupy an important place in their lives. Here begins the first stage of alcoholism.
Symptoms of beer alcoholism
I'll give you specific symptoms of beer alcoholism
The symptoms of beer alcoholism are:
- A person often loses control over drinking beer. (drinks more than he should). Loss of control while drinking is the first sign of alcoholism.
- The person himself completely denies the presence of beer alcoholism.
- The addict defends and justifies his drinking in every possible way. He gives a million reasons for "Why he needs to drink beer".
Read the list below. If you have one or more symptoms, clearly identify that you have beer alcoholism.
- The main reason you drink beer is to relieve tension and relieve stress.
- In sobriety, when you don't drink beer, you are depressed and depressed. They are often irritated, sometimes even aggressive. All this is due to the discomfort of disuse.
- Consume beer regularly and constantly (every day or every week).
- You can't give up on beer forever. You can't help but use at all.
In addition to being aware of the presence of beer alcoholism, a person must study the negative consequences in the form of alcoholism symptoms associated with the consumption of beer.
Learn to recognize withdrawal symptoms and how to overcome the withdrawal period.
Drinking beer in moderation won't work, give up on this idea now. I mentioned this in the article "Can you drink in moderation? "
Complete unconditional abstinence from drinking beer, as well as any other alcohol, is a prerequisite for sobriety.
However, this is not enough.
To get rid of beer alcoholism, you need to learn how to avoid alcohol degradation.
A breakdown occurs when your mood gets so bad that drinking beer seems like the only option. What should be done in order not to go wild and not drink beer, I wrote in the article "What is alcoholic exhaustion and how to avoid it? "
Getting to know your addiction is key to getting rid of beer alcoholism.
Here is a detailed plan of what to do to get rid of beer alcoholism.
- Realize your addiction. Understand how it justifies your addiction.
- Become aware of the problems caused by alcohol use.
- Learn about the negative effects of alcohol and know the signs and symptoms of alcoholism. You will need to read a lot of information, so tune in now.
- Understand what the sobriety process looks like. Quitting drinking is not enough. You can't stop in one day. And you will have to fight the consequences for more than a month.
- The most important skill you can learn along the way is Learning to avoid stalling.
- A prerequisite is complete abstinence from drinking beer on the way to sobriety.
If you have any questions about beer alcoholism, you can always ask them in the comments.
Alcohol consumption per day
Large doses of alcohol are undoubtedly harmful: they are addictive and lead to the development of chronic diseases. But if you drink, knowing when to stop, you can avoid dire consequences. The main thing is to correctly calculate the same measure.
There is a safe proportion of alcohol
The body, thanks to the presence of a special alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme in the liver, is able to process a certain amount of alcohol without fatal consequences for health. Each has its own rate: it depends on the amount of enzyme, metabolic characteristics, sex and age of the person.
Scientists from the World Health Organization were able to calculate the average safe dose. If you do not exceed the specified volume, you can avoid alcohol addiction and keep the liver, pancreas, heart and other organs healthy.
Alcohol per day
It is impossible to calculate the safety rate outside the laboratory conditions.
This indicator depends on many factors. It is preferable to use average data.
For men
A harmless portion for men is 30 ml of ethyl alcohol. If we translate this figure into drinks, it turns out that you can drink one day:
- 90 ml of vodka, cognac, whiskey, brandy or other drinks, force 40 rounds;
- 225 ml of fortified wine or port (alcohol 17-20%);
- 300 ml of dry wine or champagne (10-13 degrees);
- 750 ml of beer (5% alcohol).
At the same time, you shouldn't drink more than five times a week, and preferably not every day.
For women
Due to its physical characteristics, the female body is more difficult to tolerate alcohol intoxication than the male. Therefore, the numbers for women are slightly different. The allowable amount is 20 ml of ethanol per day. But some researchers recommend dividing this indicator by two. 10 ml of pure alcohol is 30 grams of vodka or 100 ml of wine. The reason is that women tend to have a lower body weight and also produce less alcohol dehydrogenase. This means that alcohol is more harmful.
How much alcohol can I drink per week
Five drinks a week is the maximum dose for a healthy person. But you should not put them aside and drink them in one day - the liver will not be able to cope with the weekly norm at a time. The likelihood of a severe hangover is high. If you do these experiments regularly, it will lead to alcoholism.
When there is no secure share
A safe dose is a rather vague concept.
So, people with acute or chronic diseases should not drink at all. Any portion of alcohol, even the smallest, can react with medication or lead to complications.
Furthermore, there is no harmless dosage for children and adolescents under the age of 18. At this age, the body is in the process of forming and drinking has a depressing effect on the brain and nervous system, leading to degradation.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers are another category of people for whom alcohol is extremely dangerous. If the expectant mother consumes alcohol during the prenatal period or breastfeeding, all harmful substances enter the baby's body. This leads to severe mental disorders, developmental delay, congenital diseases.
Safe standard for the driver
According to the latest amendments, the percentage of alcohol allowed while driving is 0. 35 ppm, which corresponds to 0. 35 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. In order for an average man weighing 70-80 kg to reflect such an indicator, he must drink 25-30 grams of pure alcohol. This is equivalent to a shot of vodka, a glass of wine or two mugs of beer.
But before driving, one should not experience even such an amount: the body may give an unpredictable reaction or the meter will be in error. So the driver will face a huge fine or license deprivation, too high a price for the dubious pleasure of drinking.
The aging times must be calculated to ensure that sufficient time has elapsed after use and that it is safe to drive.
This can be done using a spreadsheet or online calculator, or you can use a home breathalyser.
Measure
The same norm that must be constantly observed when drinking alcoholic beverages is different for everyone. You can only recognize it once after drinking. Or sometimes the body itself feels when there is already enough. In this case, don't give in to persuading friends to drink a few more drinks. Otherwise, by drinking a lot in the evening, the next day you can say goodbye to a vigorous morning, and you will also have to drink at least 3 liters of water and eat 4 tablets of anesthetic. Several parties of this type in a row with a heavy hangover in the morning will bear fruit in a few months. Not only morning problems can begin, but also health problems. Ethanol poisons almost every system in the body, from the iodine balance to the liver or heart. It also leads to addiction, and as a result, the well-known disease of alcoholism occurs.