Did you know? More than 140,000 people in the United States die from excessive alcohol use each year.
Heavy alcohol use includes consuming more than four drinks per day or 14 drinks per week for men, or three drinks per day or 7 drinks per week for women. Individuals who have prolonged alcohol use are more likely to experience medical concerns that need hospital and medical intervention.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term health risks of excessive alcohol use include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and digestive problems; mental health and learning/memory problems; a weakening of the immune system; and cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, colon and rectum.
How can you reflect on your own alcohol use?
- Try an alcohol-free weekend. The intent is to gauge the effect of those alcohol-free days and think about the experience.
- Ask yourself some simple questions, such as:
- Has alcohol negatively affected your personal or work life?
- Has anyone ever commented on your alcohol use as being a problem?
- Has alcohol led to any medical conditions?
- Have you ever used alcohol to cope with stress?
Answering “yes” to these questions could be indicators of potentially having an alcohol use disorder; recognizing this and changing your alcohol consumption could increase your quality of life.
Carroll Hospital has an effective substance use intervention program called SBIRT—Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment for those with substance use disorders. This program supports hospital patients during and after their hospital stay to reduce their substance use and live healthier lives.
Care Connect can help you find local resources to assist with alcohol and substance use. Call our health navigators at 410-871-7000.
Jenna Billingslea is a peer recovery coach at Carroll Hospital.
