Alcohol Consumption Health Article

Recommendations regarding alcohol consumption

Although moderate alcohol consumption is recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease, other lifestyle factors such as a healthy diet and exercise reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

The American Cancer Society's (ACS) Guidelines on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer Prevention recommend moderation in alcohol intake. Experts suggest that intake should be limited to no more than an average of two drinks daily for women and three drinks a day for men. One should consider, however, research reports that suggest that even one drink per day may be detrimental to breast cancer risk in women.

Treatments

Two of the most common forms of treatment for alcoholics are cognitive-behavioral and interactional group psychotherapy based on the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. People with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms are usually treated in outpatient programs and are treated through counseling, and/or support groups. Individuals may be treated in a general or psychiatric hospitals or substance abuse rehabilitation facilities if they: possess coexisting medical or psychiatric disorders; have a difficult home environment; are a danger to themselves or others; have not responded to other conservative treatments. Inpatient programs often include physical and psychiatric development, detoxification, psychotherapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy, and an introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Crystal Heather Kaczkowski, M.S.

Alcoholism

—A primary disorder and chronic disease, progressive and often fatal where an individual is dependent on alcohol.

Anorexia

—A condition frequently observed in cancer patients characterized by a loss of appetite or desire to eat.

Larynx

—The enlarged upper end of the trachea below the root of the tongue and the primary organ that enables speech.

Pharynx

—The passageway for air from the nasal cavity to the larynx and food from the mouth to the esophagus, also providing a place for resonance.