National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

National Institutes of Health • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

A L C OHOL 

What You Don’t Know 

Can Harm You 

If you are like many Americans, you may drink alcohol 

occasionally. Or, like others, you may drink moderate amounts 

of alcohol on a more regular basis. If you are a woman or someone 

over the age of 65, this means you have no more than one drink 

per day; if you are a man, this means you have no more than two 

drinks per day. Drinking at these levels usually is not associated with 

health risks and may help prevent certain forms of heart disease. 

But did you know that even moderate drinking, under 

certain circumstances, can be risky? If you drink at more than 

moderate levels, you may be putting yourself at risk for serious 

problems with your health as well as problems with family, friends, 

and coworkers. This booklet explains some of the problems that 

can be caused by drinking that you may not have considered. 

WHAT ISA DRINK? 

A standard drink is: 

➢ One 12-ounce bottle of beer* 

or wine cooler 

➢ One 5-ounce glass of wine 

➢ 1.5 ounces of 80-proof 

distilled spirits. 

*Different beers have different alcohol content. 

Malt liquor has a higher alcohol content than most 

other brewed beverages. 
AND 

D

D

RINKING 

RIVING 

It may surprise you to learn that you don’t need to drink much 

alcohol before your driving ability is affected. For example, certain 

driving skills can be impaired by blood alcohol concentrations 

(BACs) as low as 0.02 percent. (The BAC refers to the amount 

of alcohol in the blood.) A 160-pound man will have a BAC of 

about 0.04 percent 1 hour after drinking two 12-ounce beers or 

two other standard drinks on an empty stomach (see the box, 

“What Is a Drink?”). And the more alcohol you drink, the more 

impaired your driving skills will be. Although most States set the 

BAC limit for adults who drive after drinking at 0.08 percent, 

driving skills are affected at much lower levels. 

INTERACTIONS 

WITH MEDICATIONS 

Drinking alcohol while taking certain medications can cause 

problems. In fact, there are more than 150 medications that 

should not be mixed with alcohol. For example, if you are taking 

antihistamines for a cold or allergy and drink alcohol, the alcohol 

will increase the drowsiness that the medicine alone can cause, 

making driving or operating machinery even more dangerous. 

And if you are taking large doses of the painkiller acetaminophen 

(Tylenol®) and drinking alcohol, you are risking serious liver 

damage. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before drinking 

any amount of alcohol if you are taking any over-the-counter or 

prescription medicines. 
SOCIAL AND 

LEGAL PROBLEMS 

The more heavily you drink, the greater the potential for problems at home, at work, with friends, and even with strangers. 

These problems may include: 

➢ Arguments with or separation from your spouse 

and other family members; 

➢ Strained relationships with coworkers; 

➢ Absence from or lateness to work with 

increasing frequency; 

➢ Loss of employment due to decreased 

productivity; and 

➢ Committing or being the victim of violence. 

ALCOHOL-RELATED 

BIRTH DEFECTS 

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you should not 

drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can 

cause a range of birth defects, and children exposed to alcohol 

before birth can have lifelong learning and behavioral problems. 

The most serious problem that can be caused by drinking during 

pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Children born with 

FAS have severe physical, mental, and behavioral problems. Because 

scientists do not know exactly how much alcohol it takes to cause 

alcohol-related birth defects, it is best not to drink any alcohol 

during this time. 
LONG-TERM HEALTH PROBLEMS 

Some problems, like those mentioned above, can occur after drinking over a relatively short period of time. But other problems— 

such as liver disease, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and pancreatitis—often develop more gradually and may become evident 

only after many years of heavy drinking. Women may develop 

alcohol-related health problems sooner than men, and from drinking 

less alcohol than men. Because alcohol affects nearly every organ 

in the body, long-term heavy drinking increases the risk for many 

serious health problems, some of which are described below. 

Alcohol-related liver disease. More than 2 million Americans 

suffer from alcohol-related liver disease. Some drinkers develop 

alcoholic hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, as a result of 

heavy drinking over a long period of time. Its symptoms include 

fever, jaundice (abnormal yellowing of the skin, eyeballs, and 

urine), and abdominal pain. Alcoholic hepatitis can cause death 

if drinking continues. If drinking stops, the condition may be 

reversible. About 10 to 20 percent of heavy drinkers develop 

alcoholic cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. People with cirrhosis 

should not drink alcohol. Although treatment for the complications of cirrhosis is available, a liver transplant may be needed for 

someone with life-threatening cirrhosis. Alcoholic cirrhosis can 

cause death if drinking continues. Cirrhosis is not reversible, but 

if a person with cirrhosis stops drinking, the chances of survival 

improve considerably. People with cirrhosis often feel better, 

and liver function may improve, after they stop drinking. About 

4 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), 

which can cause liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Some heavy 

drinkers also have HCV infection. As a result, their livers may be 
damaged not only by alcohol but by HCV-related problems as 

well. People with HCV infection are more susceptible to alcoholrelated liver damage and should think carefully about the risks 

when considering whether to drink alcohol. 

Heart disease. Moderate drinking can have beneficial effects 

on the heart, especially among those at greatest risk for heart 

attacks, such as men over the age of 45 and women after menopause. 

However, heavy drinking over a long period of time increases 

the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and some kinds 

of stroke. 

Cancer. Long-term heavy drinking increases the risk of certain forms 

of cancer, especially cancer of the esophagus, mouth, throat, and 

larynx (voice box). Research suggests that, in some women, 

as little as one drink per day can slightly raise the risk of breast 

cancer. Drinking may also increase the risk for developing cancer 

of the colon and rectum. 

Pancreatitis. The pancreas helps regulate the body’s blood sugar 

levels by producing insulin. The pancreas also has a role in 

digesting the food we eat. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to 

pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis 

can cause severe abdominal pain and can be fatal. Chronic pancreatitis is associated with chronic pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. 

If you or someone you know has been drinking heavily, there 

is a risk of developing serious health problems. Because some 

of these health problems can be treated, it is important to see 

a doctor for help. Your doctor will be able to advise you about 

your health and your drinking. 
RESEARCH DIRECTIONS 

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 

National Institutes of Health, supports about 90 percent of the 

Nation’s research on alcohol use and its related consequences. 

Today, alcohol researchers are working on the cutting edge of 

medical science to answer questions such as: 

➢Who is at greatest risk for developing alcohol problems? 

➢What are the effects of binge drinking, particularly 

among young people? 

➢When does alcohol use increase the risk of violent 

behavior? 

➢Why are women more vulnerable to alcohol’s effects? 

Each new research discovery leads us to better ways to 

prevent and treat the alcohol-related problems that harm individuals, families, and society. 

If you or someone you know needs help or more information, contact: 

➢Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters 

1600 Corporate Landing Parkway 

Virginia Beach, VA 23454–5617 

Internet address: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org 

Makes referrals to local Al-Anon groups, which are support groups 

for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic person’s 

life. Also makes referrals to Alateen groups, which offer support to 

children of alcoholics. 

➢ Locations of Al-Anon or Alateen meetings worldwide can 

be obtained by calling 1–888–4AL–ANON (425–2666) 

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (e.s.t.). 
➢ Free informational materials can be obtained by calling 

(757) 563–1600, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. 

➢U.S.: (888) 4AL–ANON 

➢Canada: (800) 443–4525; 24 hours 

➢Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) World Services 

475 Riverside Drive, 11th Floor 

New York, NY 10115 

(212) 870–3400 

Internet address: http://www.aa.org 

Makes referrals to local AA groups and provides informational 

materials on the AA program. Many cities and towns also have 

a local AA office listed in the telephone book. 

➢National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 

(NCADD) 

20 Exchange Place, Suite 2902

New York, NY 10005

(800) 622–2255

Internet address: http://www.ncadd.org

Provides telephone numbers of local NCADD affiliates (who can 

provide information on local treatment resources) and educational 

materials on alcoholism via the above toll-free number. 

➢National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) 

6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 409 

Bethesda, MD 20892–7003 

(301) 443–3860 

Internet address: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov 

Makes available free publications on all aspects of alcohol abuse 

and alcoholism. Many are available in Spanish. Call, write, or 

search the NIAAA Web site for a list of publications and ordering 

information. 
ADDITIONAL READING

Alcoholism: Getting the Facts—describes what alcoholism and 

alcohol abuse are and offers useful information on when and 

where to seek help. English version: NIH Publication Number 

96–4153; Spanish version: NIH Publication Number 99–4153–S. 

Drinking and Your Pregnancy—explains how drinking can 

hurt a developing baby, the problems that children born with 

fetal alcohol syndrome have, how to stop drinking, and where 

to go for help. NIH Publication Number 96–4101; Spanish 

version: NIH Publication Number 97–4102. 

How to Cut Down on Your Drinking—presents tips for 

those who are acting on medical advice to reduce their alcohol 

consumption. English version: NIH Publication Number 96–3770; 

Spanish version: NIH Publication Number 96–3770–S. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Alcoholism and Alcohol 

Abuse—provides answers to frequently asked questions about 

alcoholism and alcohol abuse. NIH Publication Number 01–4735; 

Spanish version: NIH Publication Number 02–4735–S. 

Make a Difference: Talk to Your Child About Alcohol— 

offers guidance to parents and caregivers of young people ages 

10 to 14 on preventing underage drinking. English version: 

NIH Publication Number 00–4314; Spanish version: NIH 

Publication Number 00–4314–S. 

To order, write to: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and 

Alcoholism, Publications Distribution Center, P.O. Box 10686, 

Rockville, MD 20849–0686. The full text of all of the above publications is available on NIAAA’s Web site (http://www.niaaa.nih.gov). 

NIH Publication No. 99–4323 

Revised 2002