Alcohol-related deaths for women have increased by 85 percent over the last decade leaving many people wondering why. This could be because more women are drinking alcohol, and they don’t know drinking alcohol is more dangerous for women.
Read on to learn more about the serious impact alcohol has on a woman’s body, why it causes long-term health problems and what to do if you need help.
How much alcohol is okay for women?
Over the years, there has been conflicting information about alcohol use. It’s common to hear that a few glasses of wine is heart-healthy, and cultural standards normalize drinking alcohol with coworkers at happy hour.
What isn’t talked about is how alcohol affects women differently than men. This difference can cause very serious health problems. The U.S. dietary guidelines currently have a recommended daily limit of one drink a day for women. Anything over one drink daily can be problematic because of how alcohol affects women.
How does alcohol affect women?
Alcohol affects women differently than men for a couple of reasons. Alcohol is distributed in water, and women typically have more body fat and less water than men. Also, women make fewer enzymes to break down alcohol. Because of these reasons, women absorb more alcohol, which stays in the body longer, causing blood alcohol levels to rise quickly. This difference in the way women metabolize alcohol can cause more problems for a woman’s health.
Is alcohol bad for women’s health?
Despite the messaging around alcohol being heart-healthy or safe in moderate amounts, even a little alcohol can put women at risk for long-term health problems or death. For over 15 years, alcohol-related deaths have increased overall, and the number of women dying is rising.
Drinking alcohol puts women at higher risk for:
Brain problems from alcohol use
Brain function problems from alcohol use such as shrinking brain tissue, memory problems, and other brain damage occur much faster in women.
Heart problems from alcohol use
Heart disease is the number one cause of death among women and drinking alcohol could be a factor. Alcohol can increase your risk of damaging the heart muscles and cause high blood pressure.
Pregnancy complications or infertility
Drinking alcohol can make getting pregnant more difficult. It can also increase your risk for pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and preterm delivery. Drinking can also increase your baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Cancer
Many cancers have been associated with drinking alcohol. Women who drink increase their risk of breast cancer, esophageal cancer and colon cancer.
Liver disease
Women who misuse alcohol are at a higher risk of alcohol-related hepatitis and cirrhosis than men.
How many drinks a day is considered alcoholic?
Anything over one drink a day for a woman is considered excessive. Whether or not you have a problem with alcohol depends on many factors. Alcohol use disorder occurs when you drink alcohol despite it causing problems.
There are warning signs of alcohol use disorder. Alcohol may be a problem if you:
- Drink alcohol frequently or more than you intend
- Neglect responsibilities at home, your job or school
- Can’t stop drinking
- Continue drinking even though it causes problems with your friends or family
- Isolate yourself from friends and family
- Put yourself in dangerous situations while drinking
- Have withdrawal symptoms when you’re not drinking
Is drinking alcohol safe during pregnancy?
No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy. Drinking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and fetal alcohol syndrome disorder.
Is drinking alcohol safe while breastfeeding?
Not drinking alcohol is always the safest option for breastfeeding mothers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) having up to one drink a day may be ok for breastfeeding mothers. The safest way to breastfeed your baby is to wait two hours after one drink. Having more than one drink is considered moderate alcohol exposure and can damage the baby’s growth and development and affect their sleep.
Where to get help
Women drinking alcohol is very common; if you need help, you’re not alone. There are many resources for women. Everyone is different, and the level of care and support you’ll need will depend on your particular situation. Here are a few places you can get help.
Talk to your primary care provider
If you have a problem with alcohol, talk to your primary care provider. They can do an assessment and connect you to an outpatient counselor or someone who specializes in alcohol use disorder.
Talk to your insurance provider
Your health insurance provider can educate you on resources in your area and connect you to a case manager. A case manager can tell you what services you qualify for and connect you to counselors, treatment programs and support groups.
Addiction support in New York
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) has a provider and program search that can help you get connected with a treatment program or an outpatient provider.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Many people find a lot of support in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Alcoholics Anonymous has many resources such as peer support, group meetings and sponsors. Click here to find an AA meeting near you.
Sources
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports
Excessive Alcohol Use Is A Risk To Women’s Health
Women and Alcohol Use: Statistics, Effects, and Treatment
Alcohol’s Effect on Health. Women and Alcohol
