Alcohol is an addictive substance, and excessive drinking is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The CDC estimates about 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use each year. Alcohol use disorder is treatable, but stopping after long-term heavy drinking can be dangerous without medical care.
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CDC data for 2020 and 2021 show that about two-thirds of alcohol deaths came from conditions that develop over time, such as cancers, heart disease, liver disease and alcohol use disorder. About 61,000 deaths a year came from binge drinking, through causes such as car crashes, alcohol poisoning, overdoses involving alcohol and suicide. About 4,000 deaths a year involved people under 21. On average, these deaths cut lives short by 24 years.
What Counts as a Drink, and What Is Excessive Drinking
In the United States, a standard drink contains about 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol. A single mixed drink, large beer or generous glass of wine can contain more than one standard drink.
- Binge drinking brings blood alcohol concentration to 0.08% or higher. For a typical adult, NIAAA says that is about five or more drinks for men, or four or more for women, in about two hours.
- Heavy drinking is five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more a week for men, and four or more on any day or eight or more a week for women.
- Any drinking during pregnancy or under age 21 is considered excessive.
Is any amount of drinking healthy?
Don’t start drinking for your health. The CDC says drinking less is better for your health than drinking more, and that the risk of some cancers, including breast cancer, rises with any amount of alcohol. NIAAA notes that harms may come with any amount of drinking and that risk generally grows with the amount. If you drink, cutting back lowers your risk, and your doctor can help you decide what is right for you.
How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Body
Alcohol slows down the brain. At first it can lower inhibitions; at higher levels it impairs judgment, coordination, reaction time and memory. At very high levels it can shut down the parts of the brain that control breathing, heart rate, body temperature and the gag reflex.
Short-term risks
The CDC lists injuries such as car crashes, falls, drownings and burns; violence, including suicide and sexual violence; alcohol poisoning; overdose when alcohol is mixed with other drugs such as opioids; and, during pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Long-term risks
- cancers, including cancers of the throat, liver, colon and breast
- high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and liver disease
- digestive problems and a weaker immune system
- depression, anxiety and memory problems, including dementia
- alcohol use disorder, along with problems at work, school and home
Alcohol Poisoning: Signs and What to Do
Signs of alcohol poisoning (overdose) include:
- confusion, trouble staying awake or being impossible to wake
- vomiting or seizures
- slow or irregular breathing and a slow heart rate
- clammy skin, very low body temperature, or bluish or pale skin
- no gag reflex
Call 911 right away. Don’t wait for every sign to appear, and don’t assume someone will sleep it off: alcohol already in the stomach keeps entering the bloodstream after a person stops drinking or passes out. Stay with them so they don’t fall or choke. If they are lying down, roll them onto their side; if they are vomiting, have them lean forward. Cold showers, coffee and walking do not reverse alcohol poisoning and can make things worse. The danger is higher when alcohol is mixed with opioids, sleep medicines or anti-anxiety medicines such as benzodiazepines.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder means having trouble stopping or controlling your drinking even though it is causing problems with your health, relationships, work or school. Signs include cravings, needing more to feel the same effect, drinking more or longer than you meant to, failed attempts to cut back and withdrawal symptoms when you stop. A health care provider diagnoses it when someone has at least two of 11 listed symptoms in the past year, and rates it as mild, moderate or severe. NIAAA says most people with alcohol use disorder recover or improve markedly.
Alcohol Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous
If you have been drinking heavily on a regular basis, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal. MedlinePlus says symptoms usually begin within 8 hours of the last drink, though they can start days later, and tend to peak at 24 to 72 hours. Symptoms include shakiness, anxiety, irritability, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rapid heart rate and trouble sleeping.
The most severe form, delirium tremens (DTs), causes severe confusion, agitation, fever, hallucinations and seizures, and it can be life-threatening. People with moderate to severe withdrawal may need inpatient care at a hospital or treatment facility, where they are closely watched for DTs and given medicines to ease symptoms. Some people with milder symptoms can be treated as outpatients, but only under a provider’s care, with frequent check-ins and someone staying with them. A doctor should decide which setting is safe for you. Don’t quit heavy drinking cold turkey on your own. Talk to a doctor first, or read our medical detox guide to learn how supervised withdrawal works in Florida.
If Someone You Love Won’t Accept Help
Watching someone you love struggle with drinking is frightening, and many families don’t know where to start. A first step is to talk with a doctor, counselor or the SAMHSA National Helpline about options for your situation. In Florida, the Marchman Act allows a family member or other concerned person to petition a court for involuntary assessment and stabilization of a person with a substance use problem. It is a serious legal step, so it helps to learn how it works before you need it.
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder in Florida
Three medications are approved in the United States to treat alcohol use disorder:
- Naltrexone can help reduce cravings for alcohol.
- Acamprosate eases the ongoing discomfort that can make it hard to stay alcohol-free.
- Disulfiram causes an unpleasant reaction if you drink.
Medication works best alongside behavioral treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, couples and family counseling, and brief interventions. Mutual-support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and other peer groups can add support, especially combined with professional care.
Care comes in several levels: outpatient, intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization, residential, and medically managed inpatient care, which can handle withdrawal. Our guide to alcohol rehab in Florida compares the options. NIAAA also offers a free online Alcohol Treatment Navigator to help you find qualified providers. You can also search licensed Florida rehabs by county and level of care.
Getting Help Now
- Emergency: call 911 for any sign of overdose, a seizure, trouble breathing or someone who cannot be woken.
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, 24/7, in English and Spanish, for treatment referrals and information.
- Crisis: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) if you or someone you love is in emotional crisis or thinking about suicide.
- Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 for questions that are not emergencies.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol: Effects, Alcohol Use Disorder and Treatment in Florida
What counts as binge drinking?
Binge drinking is drinking that brings your blood alcohol concentration to 0.08% or higher. For a typical adult, NIAAA says that means about five or more drinks for men, or four or more for women, within about two hours. Heavy drinking is defined as five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more a week for men, and four or more on any day or eight or more a week for women.
What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
Signs of alcohol poisoning include confusion, being hard or impossible to wake, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, a slow heart rate, clammy or bluish skin and little or no gag reflex. Call 911 right away; don't wait for every sign. Stay with the person and roll them onto their side if they are lying down. Cold showers, coffee and walking do not help.
Is alcohol withdrawal dangerous?
Yes, alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and should be medically supervised. Symptoms usually start within 8 hours of the last drink and peak at 24 to 72 hours. Severe withdrawal can cause seizures and delirium tremens (DTs), with sudden confusion, hallucinations and fever, and it can be fatal. Don't quit heavy drinking cold turkey on your own; see our medical detox guide.
Is moderate drinking good for your heart?
You shouldn't drink for your health. The CDC says that drinking less is better for your health than drinking more, and that the risk of some cancers, including breast cancer, rises with any amount of alcohol. If you don't drink, there's no health reason to start. If you do, cutting back lowers your risks, and your doctor can help you decide what's right for you.
How do I know if I have alcohol use disorder?
Alcohol use disorder means you have trouble stopping or controlling your drinking even though it is causing problems with your health, relationships, work or school. Common signs include cravings, needing more alcohol to feel the same effect, drinking more or longer than you meant to, and withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness or anxiety when you stop. A doctor can assess how mild or severe it is.
What medications help treat alcohol use disorder?
Three medications are approved in the US to treat alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram. They work best alongside behavioral treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement, and mutual-support groups like AA or SMART Recovery. Many Florida programs combine medication and therapy; you can compare options in our guide to alcohol rehab in Florida.
