The good news is that no matter ... show that millions of Americans have AUD. A person’s risk for developing AUD depends in part on how much, how often, and how quickly they consume alcohol....

May 18, 2022 - Unhealthy alcohol use ranges from mild to severe, including alcoholism and binge drinking, putting health and safety at risk. Early treatment is important.

1 week ago - Heavy usage can result in trouble sleeping, and severe cognitive issues like dementia, brain damage, or Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome. Physical effects include irregular heartbeat, impaired immune response, cirrhosis, increased cancer risk, and severe withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly.

July 15, 2025 - While it is an individual’s personal ... will determine whether or not someone becomes an alcoholic. ... The risk factors for addiction include both genetics and lifestyle....

June 7, 2024 - Increased risk for various cancers, liver diseases, gastrointestinal problems, and more. Contrary to common misconceptions, alcoholism isn’t solely determined by the type or duration of alcohol consumption. Rather, it’s characterized by an uncontrollable craving for alcohol that transcends ...

June 28, 2024 - Alcohol and alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, which is a psychoactive and toxic substance with dependence-producing properties. Alcohol has been widely used in many cultures for centuries, but it is associated with significant health risks and harms.

For most adults, moderate alcohol use is probably not harmful. Your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD) depends on how much, how often, and how quickly you drink alcohol. Alcohol misuse means that drinking causes distress and harm.

August 15, 2023 - Alcohol use disorder (sometimes called alcoholism) is a common medical condition. In this disorder, people can’t stop drinking, even when drinking affects their health, puts their safety at risk and damages their personal relationships. Treatment includes medication and behavioral therapy.

Different genes confer risk by affecting various biological processes and mental states and traits, including, for example, physiological responses to alcohol and stress, alcohol metabolism, addiction-related neurobiology, and behavioral tendencies such as impulsivity.60 As a few examples:

October 18, 2023 - In general, when people continue to drink alcohol despite negative social, health, and possibly legal consequences, it can be said that their drinking is “unhealthy.” Whether it takes the form of frequent or daily alcohol use or binge drinking, excessive drinking increases the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD)—previously referred to as alcoholism—a chronic brain disease that can go into remission, but not cured.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Risk Factors Risk factors are characteristics that occur statistically more often for those who develop alcohol and other drug problems, either as adolescents or as adults. Recent research points to a considerable number of such factors, including individual, family, and social/cultural characteristics.

Alcohol consumption, particularly heavier drinking, is an important risk factor for many health problems and, thus, is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. In fact, alcohol is a necessary underlying cause for more than 30 conditions and a contributing factor to many more.

December 5, 2014 - Long-term overuse of alcohol can also increase the risk and severity of pneumonia and tuberculosis; damage the heart, leading to heart failure; and cause cirrhosis of the liver, leading to liver failure. A person who needs help for alcohol addiction may be the last to realize he or she has ...

Problematic alcohol use of any degree or severity may disrupt family and social relationships and lead to psychological problems, violence and aggression and legal problems. Alcohol abuse is also linked to an increased risk of injuries, including ...

February 25, 2025 - Using alcohol excessively on occasion or over time can have immediate and long-term health risks.

21 Different genes confer risk by affecting a variety of biological processes and mental states and traits, including, for example, addiction-related neurobiology, physiological responses to alcohol and stress, co-morbid psychiatric conditions, and behavioral tendencies such as impulsivity.18,19

June 5, 2025 - Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Learn about alcoholism, including signs, risks and getting help.

April 26, 2023 - Excessive alcohol consumption can have harmful effects on your health in both the short and long term. Chronic alcohol misuse can lead to even more severe health complications that can negatively affect your physical and mental well-being.

June 3, 2025 - Start your therapy journey with BetterHelp. Take the Quiz. ... Roughly 43% of Americans have been exposed to alcoholism in the family. An estimated one-third of alcohol abusers report experiencing a mental illness.

Alcohol consumption is linked to many health and social consequences, including interference with personal relationships, heart and liver diseases, cancers, motor vehicle collisions and other accidents, alcohol overdose, violence, homicide, and suicide. If a person has AUD, particularly if ...