Because alcohol is legal, many downplay the dangers of excessive drinking. However, alcohol addiction is just as dangerous as drug addiction. Even moderate drinking (defined as one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men) can negatively impact an individual’s memory. In fact, chronic alcohol abuse can cause permanent brain damage and increase the risk of dementia in older adults.
About 95,000 Americans die from the alcohol-related incidents each year. Binge drinking can promote risk-taking and harmful behaviors, leaving individuals more vulnerable to sexual assault, injuries, and car accidents. Drinking can also lead to alcohol poisoning, pancreatitis, and strokes, and is especially life-threatening when mixed with prescription painkillers, cocaine, ecstasy, and sedatives.