Alcohol and Health
The Guidelines also explain that there can be both short-term and long-term risks to your health from drinking alcohol at risky or high risk levels.
Short-term risk means the risk of harm that is associated with each separate drinking occasion. This includes the risk of injury, interpersonal violence and accidental death, as well as broader health effects such as stress levels, sleep disorders, reduced circulation and sexual dysfunction.
Long-term health risks mean the likelihood of harm that is associated with regular daily and weekly patterns of drinking. The main long-term consequences to your health may be:
People who choose not to drink alcohol should not be urged to drink to gain any potential health benefit.
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There are different Guidelines for men and for women. This is because women are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol than men.
'Patterns of drinking' means:
Alcohol is widely used and enjoyed by Australians, and can form part of an enjoyable and healthy lifestyle that includes good diet and exercise. However, drinking in excess of low-risk levels can have harmful effects on your health.
Risk to your health
The Guidelines describe three levels of risk:- low risk - a level of drinking at which you have little risk of harm and, for older people, the possibility of health benefits;
- risky - levels at which your risk of harm is significantly increased, beyond any possible benefits; and
- high risk - levels at which your risk of serious harm is substantial.
The Guidelines also explain that there can be both short-term and long-term risks to your health from drinking alcohol at risky or high risk levels.
Short-term risk means the risk of harm that is associated with each separate drinking occasion. This includes the risk of injury, interpersonal violence and accidental death, as well as broader health effects such as stress levels, sleep disorders, reduced circulation and sexual dysfunction.
Long-term health risks mean the likelihood of harm that is associated with regular daily and weekly patterns of drinking. The main long-term consequences to your health may be:
- cancer, especially of the mouth, throat and oesophagus;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- brain damage and memory loss;
- alcohol dependence;
- complex interactions with regard to cardiovascular disease, which may include some health benefits from low-risk levels of drinking for heart disease, if you are over 40 years old; and
- possible increased risk of peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, and sexual problems (especially male impotency).
Considering the benefits to your health
The Guidelines also point to some benefits of regularly drinking very small amounts of alcohol for middle-aged and older people. These benefits include reducing the risk of heart disease, and to a lesser extent gallstones and diabetes. Similar benefits can also be gained through a healthy diet for all these disorders, and through regular exercise, and giving up smoking in the case of heart disease.People who choose not to drink alcohol should not be urged to drink to gain any potential health benefit.
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Body size and type
The Guidelines refer to people of average or above average weight. If you are below average body size, the levels recommended in these Guidelines may be too high for you and you should drink less than recommended.There are different Guidelines for men and for women. This is because women are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol than men.
Drinking patterns
The new Guidelines can help you think about your patterns of drinking and how much you drink.'Patterns of drinking' means:
- when and where you drink;
- the number of times you drink heavily;
- the activities associated with your drinking;
- the personal characteristics of you and your drinking companions;
- the types of drinks you consume; and
- the drinking expectations and behaviours that make up your 'drinking culture'.