askthedoctor Alcohol to Excess E
Help Is Available If alcohol consumption is causing problems for you or a family member, con- tact your family doctor, a religious leader, a local mental health clinic, or Alcoholics Anonymous.
50 MILITARY OFFICER FEBRUARY 2016
Though many people drink responsibly, some overindulge, and for others, any alcohol at all is too much. Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O., discusses how much is too much.
Excessive drinking contributes to 88,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, including one in 10 deaths in adults ages 20 to 64, some due to medical complications such as liver disease and others related to driving, boating, and other activities. A drink is defi ned as 12 ounces of beer
(approximately 5-percent alcohol); 8 ounces of malt liquor (7-percent alcohol); 5 ounces of wine (12-percent alcohol); or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (e.g., rum, whis- key, vodka, etcetera). If the alcohol content is higher — as with some beer, “fortifi ed” wine, and 100-proof spirits — the amount that counts as one drink is less. Health ef- fects depend on the quantity of alcohol con- sumed, regardless of the beverage. For some, no amount of alcohol is ap-
propriate because of health conditions, pregnancy, concurrent medications, prior problems with alcohol, age (youth), or re- ligious reasons. A designated driver should not have even one alcoholic drink. Others choose not to drink alcohol because they have seen excessive drinking adversely af- fect family and friends. Excessive drinking takes several forms: Heavy drinking generally refers to 15
or more drinks a week for men or eight or more for women. Moderate drinking is defi ned by a daily
(not weekly) limit — up to two drinks for men or one for women. Binge drinking refers to drinking that brings the blood alcohol level to 0.08 per- cent; it generally correlates with fi ve or
more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women during a two-hour period. Alcohol poisoning can result from a “high-intensity” binge and be fatal. Never leave a passed-out person alone to “sleep it off ”; he or she might actually be in an alco- hol-induced coma and require emergency medical care. High blood alcohol levels af- fect the brain and nervous system. Seizures can occur; breathing becomes irregular; body temperature is reduced; and speech, memory, and judgment are grossly im- paired. Vomiting is common and can result in death by asphyxiation. If someone shows signs of an alcohol overdose, get immediate medical help. Over 2,200 people die each year from alcohol poisoning; 75 percent are ages 35 to 64, and 75 percent are men. Though some positive health eff ects have
been reported from consuming various al- coholic beverages, most experts agree with the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion: “No one should start drinking or drink more based on potential health benefi ts.” Warning signs of an alcohol problem are
1) drinking that interferes with family, work, or social life; 2) alcohol-associated health or legal problems; 3) risky behavior when drinking (e.g. driving, fi ghting, or unprotect- ed sexual activity); or 4) friends or family members saying you drink too much. MO
— Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS (Ret), D.O., M.A., is a health care consultant in Chevy Chase, Md. Find more health and wellness resources at
www.moaa.org/wellness. For sub- mission information, see page 6.
PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT
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