Rethinking drinking? Doctors say drink less, or not at all

Stephanie Hudson
·3 min read

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Drinking may be affecting your health more than you know.

During Alcohol Awareness Month, 10 On Your Side looked into what kind of effects it has on you.

“I think it’s really pervasive in culture now, right,” said Dr. Emily Cunningham with the EVMS Department of General Internal Medicine. “So you see breweries on every corner. It’s a fun family activity. Sometimes you take your kids to your brewery and hang out with your friends.

“It’s like smoking used to be. Smoking was routine and it was OK on airplanes, but now we’ve cut back from that. We’re all aware of the harms from smoking. Alcohol is dangerous as well.”

Americans are drinking more often.

Sales for Virginia ABC stores grew by $54 million last year to $1.47 billion in total sales.

Cunningham cautions that society’s “bigger is better” mentality may also mean larger pours at restaurants, bars and breweries. You can end up binging without being aware.

Binge drinking for men is defined as having five or more drinks on one occasion. For women, it’s four or more.

“A lot of times with binge drinking, we are concerned,” Cunningham said. “Why are you drinking so much in one period? Is it recreational? But is there something else you’re trying to combat? Either way, you’re still getting all of those risk of harm.”

The harm can be to both your physical and mental health.

“Alcohol can have direct effect on cells and also inhibit the ability to repair damage that’s been done,” said Dr. Bruce Waldholtz, a long time volunteer with the American Cancer society said.

Alcohol puts you at increased risk for a list of cancers, including:

  • Mouth

  • Throat

  • Voice box

  • Esophagus

  • Liver

  • Colon and rectum

  • Breast

  • (and likely) Stomach

“Breast cancer is very important,” Waldholtz said, “because even small amounts of alcohol can have an effect on estrogen levels and be detrimental.”

Alcohol also increases blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

It can make anxiety and depression worse, and even though it might make you tired, alcohol actually impairs your ability to get “good” sleep.

“The American Cancer Society recommendation is that the only safe dose of alcohol is zero, and the recommendation is to not drink,” Waldholtz said.

For those who choose to drink, the ACS and the CDC recommend no more than two drinks a day for men and one a day for women.

“I think you need to weigh it against what medical issues you’re already struggling with and what your goals are for a healthy lifestyle,” Cunningham said.

Cutting out alcohol, or even cutting back, can be difficult when you want to stay social. Cunningham recommends talking with your doctor.

“And people should be kind and gracious with themselves and be patient,” Cunningham said, “and realize it’s not something they can stop overnight. But we’re here to help them through that process.”

In the end, she said you’ll see and feel the rewards.

When you’re sleeping better and thinking clearer, you may improve relationships, lose weight, and start to heal your liver and heart for a longer life.

If you want to check your drinking and/or make a plan to drink less, click on this CDC screening tool.

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