Alcohol is heavily embedded into the American culture. Every major event is arguably centered around drinking. From summer cookouts, holidays, and career promotions, a toast carries us through all of it. Then there are the thousands of microbreweries, bars, and taprooms that seem to be cropping in every major city, particularly across the state of Colorado. It’s easy to get caught up on how normal drinking can appear. Many of us assume that alcohol abuse or addiction is an unlikely scenario. However, studies show that overindulging is, in fact, not all that hard to accomplish. Exactly how many beers a night makes you an alcoholic? The line that defines casual drinking and overindulgence is easy to blur. Let’s discuss.
Due to the availability and access to beer throughout Colorado, it can be hard to avoid drinking altogether. Colorado is home to more than 400 established microbreweries and numerous beer festivals, in addition to nightclubs, wineries, and distilleries. As a result, beer is a staple for many Coloradan households. And while moderate drinking may be considered safe by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s difficult to ascertain when moderate drinking turns to problematic behavior.
If you’re concerned about your drinking, consider taking our quiz. We can also help you find resources or programs that provide clarity on safe drinking and abstinence. Contact us directly at (855) 281-5588.
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Beer Culture in Colorado
Much of Colorado’s economy comes from outdoor recreation and various amenities. However, it’s also a state known for its incredible craft beer and distilled liquor. A recent study found that Colorado is the third-largest producer of craft beer in the country. Its supply provides roughly 12.1 gallons per adult each year.
Access to alcohol is often assumed to be a risk factor when an individual struggle with problematic drinking. Risk factors refer to activities, people, and places that may increase an individual’s likelihood of overindulging. Factors to consider that may breed a culture centered around drinking including:
- Beer promotions
- Drinking festivals & entertainment
- Number of drinking establishments
- General community acceptance of alcohol
- Friends and family
While beer itself is not inherently dangerous in small amounts, crossing the line is easier than many think.
How Much is Too Much Beer?
To put into perspective, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines two potentially problematic drinking patterns around the excessive use of alcohol:
- Heavy drinking means drinking four or more drinks per day for men or three or more drinks per day for women
- Binge drinking means consuming five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks within two hours.
A standard drink in the U.S. is defined as a 12 ounce of % beers, 5 ounces of 12% wine, or 1.5 ounces of 40% 80-proof distilled spirits. What’s more is that heavy drinking or binge drinking can increase the risks of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), also referred to as alcoholism.
How many beers a night makes you an alcoholic? The answer is more complicated than a specified number of drinks, but let’s assess more in-depth. The short answer is that it will depend on factors such as gender, weight, nutrition, predisposition to alcoholism, environment, and more.
What are Signs of Alcohol Abuse?
It’s important to first consider the signs of alcohol abuse. While they may not appear the same for everyone, some guidelines help clarify whether casual drinking has become problematic.
Many individuals wonder if a weekend of binge drinking will yield alcoholism. The standard answer is widely accepted as an emphatic no, but fact remains that alcohol is one of the most dangerously abused substances. What we know of alcohol abuse is that it can lead to addiction. In fact, binge drinking and heavy alcohol use can increase a person’s risk of AUD. That is to say that through chronic excessive alcohol use, you or someone you love can become physiologically dependent on alcohol, which means your body has adapted to the presence of alcohol, and it may be required to feel normal and to function. More on that below, but for now, here are some risk factors and signs of alcohol abuse:
- Experiencing temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss
- Exhibiting signs of irritability and extreme mood swings
- Making excuses for drinking such as to relax, deal with stress, or feel normal
- Choosing to drink over other responsibilities and obligations
- Becoming isolated and distant from family and friends
- Drinking alone or in secrecy
- Feeling hungover when not drinking
- Changing appearance and friends you hang out with
No matter how minor a drinking problem may seem, alcohol abuse symptoms should never be ignored.
What is Alcohol Tolerance?
Understanding how many beers a night makes you an alcoholic also deals, in part, with tolerance levels. As a progressive disease, alcoholism may develop over time. As your body becomes acclimated to binge drinking or problematic drinking, your ability to sustain alcohol in the body increases. This is known as alcohol tolerance.
The initial signs of an increase in alcohol tolerance are straightforward. If you’re able to consume more alcohol with fewer effects, your tolerance levels have likely increased. The result is that in order to produce the same desired effects, more alcohol must be consumed. According to a study by NIAAA, humans develop tolerance when brain functions adapt to compensate for the disruption caused by alcohol. Chronic heavy drinkers display functional tolerance when they show few obvious signs of intoxication even at high blood alcohol concentrations (BACs). This can increase physical dependence and alcohol-related disease.
What Defines Alcoholism?
If the number of beers consumed doesn’t necessarily make you an alcoholic, what does? First, it’s important to note that alcoholism is a relapsing disease that impacts the body and brain. To define alcoholism, the American Psychiatric Association has outlined criteria doctors to diagnose substance use disorders like alcoholism. To receive an AUD diagnosis, a person must meet at least two of the following criteria in a 12 months period. These factors include:
- Drinking more than you originally intended
- Being unable to cut down alcohol use even if desired
- Spending time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of alcohol
- Strong desires or cravings to drink alcohol
- Failing to fulfill obligations at work, home, or school due to alcohol use
- Continue to drink despite its negative consequences
- Giving up activities you once enjoyed because of alcohol
- Drinking in situations where it is physically dangerous to do so
- Continue to drink despite persistent or recurring physical or mental health condition that is worsened with alcohol use
- Tolerance levels increasing
- Withdrawal symptoms when abstaining from alcohol use
Drinking alcohol in any amount carries a certain level of risk to one’s own health as well as the health of others. It’s important to cut back on alcohol use periodically if you feel that you’re overusing.
AspenRidge Alcohol Abuse & Recovery
There are countless life stressors that Coloradans face each day. Alcohol is a fun pastime that eliminates stress and fuels fun, but at what cost? While alcohol is largely associated with celebrations and gettogether, it’s critical to understand the risk factors involved with continued alcohol use. If you feel you’re no longer using alcohol to enjoy a night with friends or family, but instead using it to cope, it’s important that you seek outside help.
AspenRidge is able to connect individuals to programs that provide attentive care for alcohol use issues. Our licensed professionals can help assess your alcohol use and determine problematic drinking. If you’re asking how many beers a night makes you an alcoholic, it’s possible that you’ve already considered the risks of alcohol abuse. We can provide guidance, therapy, and support for overcoming alcohol misuse, abuse, and addiction.
Please contact AspenRidge at 855-678-3144 for more information on our tailored dual diagnosis programs. Staff will help to verify insurance options and to clarify alcohol treatment procedures.
FAQs
How many beers a day do you have to drink to be an alcoholic? ›
Heavy Alcohol Use:
For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, consuming more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week.
“You can become dependent on almost any substance if it's part of your daily rhythm, but that doesn't mean you're addicted.” Say you have a beer or cocktail every night after work. Your body and brain are going to become accustomed to that evening ritual, and you may be irritable if you don't have your hooch.
What qualifies as alcoholism? ›The Mayo Clinic defines alcoholism as “a chronic and often progressive disease” that is often manifested in the following symptoms: Development of physical dependence. Difficulty managing one's level of alcohol intake. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when ending alcohol consumption.
Are you an alcoholic if you drink 2 beers a night? ›According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking is considered to be in the moderate or low-risk range for women at no more than three drinks in any one day and no more than seven drinks per week. For men, it is no more than four drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
Will 6 beers a day cause liver damage? ›Having 2 to 3 alcoholic drinks every day or binge drinking can harm your liver. Binge drinking is when you drink more than 4 or 5 drinks in a row. If you already have a liver disease, you should stop drinking alcohol. There is no safe amount of alcohol for people with any type of alcoholic liver disease.
Can you drink beer everyday and not be an alcoholic? ›Nine in 10 adults who drink too much alcohol are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent, according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
What happens if I drink beer every night? ›If drinking beer is your thing, it's best to do it in moderation, not every night. While drinking beer every day may relax you during these tough times, there are some significant downsides: weight gain, poor sleep, bad gastrointestinal inflammation, and other issues that can outlast your time spent in quarantine.
How many beers a night is bad? ›Heavy drinking means drinking four or more drinks per day for men or three or more drinks per day for women. Binge drinking means consuming five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks within two hours.
Is it OK to have a few beers every night? ›Having a beer every now and then is OK for some people, and there's even research to suggest the drink has health benefits. There's also research, however, that suggests any alcoholic beverage, even in small amounts, should be avoided.
What are the 3 types of alcoholic? ›In chemistry, an alcohol exists when a hydroxyl group, a pair of oxygen and hydrogen atoms, replaces the hydrogen atom in a hydrocarbon. Alcohols bind with other atoms to create secondary alcohols. These secondary alcohols are the three types of alcohol that humans use every day: methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol.
What are 3 symptoms of an alcoholic? ›
- Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so.
- Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use.
- Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol.
- Social drinking. To date, nearly all the research on drinking motives has been done on teens and young adults. ...
- Drinking to conform. ...
- Drinking for enhancement. ...
- Drinking to cope.
To reduce the risk of alcohol-related harms, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed.
What happens if I drink 2 beers everyday? ›Drinking one or two standard beers per day may have positive effects, such as benefits to your heart, better blood sugar control, stronger bones, and reduced dementia risk.
Is it bad to drink 10 beers a night? ›So, is drinking 8-12 beers a day bad? The short answer, considering all of the above, is yes. If you are drinking 8 to 10 beers a day, or even more, you are generally putting yourself at risk for a number of serious issues.
Which alcohol is hardest on liver? ›Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.
How many beers a day to get cirrhosis? ›It is estimated that alcohol-related fatty liver disease develops in 90% of people who drink more than 40g of alcohol (or four units) per day. That's roughly the equivalent of two medium (175ml) glasses of 12% ABV wine, or less than two pints of regular strength (4% ABV) beer.
What alcohol is easiest on the liver? ›- Red Wine. ...
- Light Beer. ...
- Tequila. ...
- Gin & Rum & Vodka & Whiskey.
Heavy drinking can damage the heart muscle, increasing the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and atrial fibrillation. The risk is even higher in weekly heavy drinkers (two times a week) compared to regular ones. That's due to sudden fluctuation in the blood pressure level.
What happens to your body when you drink beer all day? ›Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking can increase your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure and even cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle.
What are the first signs of kidney damage from alcohol? ›
- fatigue.
- swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet due to fluid retention.
- loss of appetite.
- change in urine.
- kidney pain.
For the cue-induced craving, it has to do with memory. Alcohol and other drugs flood our brain with reward chemicals like dopamine. Long after our last drink, our brains and memories still associate drinking with this flood of reward.
Is 6 beers a day too much? ›A note on drinking level terms used in this Core article: The 2020-2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines states that for adults who choose to drink alcohol, women should have 1 drink or less in a day and men should have 2 drinks or less in a day. These amounts are not intended as an average but rather a daily limit.
How do I stop drinking beer every night? ›- Put it in writing. ...
- Set a drinking goal. ...
- Keep a diary of your drinking. ...
- Don't keep alcohol in your house. ...
- Drink slowly. ...
- Choose alcohol-free days. ...
- Watch for peer pressure. ...
- Keep busy.
Moderate alcohol use for healthy adults generally means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Examples of one drink include: Beer: 12 fluid ounces (355 milliliters) Wine: 5 fluid ounces (148 milliliters)
What are signs that you are drinking too much alcohol? ›- Changes in your skin. ...
- Easy bruising. ...
- Weight gain. ...
- Loss of appetite and weight loss. ...
- Tingling or a sensation of numbness. ...
- Heartburn. ...
- Stomach issues. ...
- Nausea and vomiting.
Consuming a 12-pack of Coors Light can add up to an additional 1,560 calories per day or three-fourths of a daily recommended intake. Research indicates that 3,500 calories amount to 1lb of weight gain. Drinking 12 beers a day can also lead to drastic weight gain. If you feel your health is impacted by alcohol use.
What alcohol does to your body after the age of 40? ›Drinking too much alcohol over a long time can: Lead to some kinds of cancer, liver damage, immune system disorders, and brain damage. Worsen some health conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, ulcers, memory loss, and mood disorders.
Why do I want to drink every night? ›If you feel that you need a drink every night or to get through a social event, stressful situation or personal struggle, and you have a compulsion to drink or constantly crave alcohol, maybe even daily, this could be a sign of psychological dependency.
What is the most beer drank in one day? ›You won't find it in the Guinness Book of World Records, but Andre the Giant holds the world record for the largest number of beers consumed in a single sitting. These were standard 12-ounce bottles of beer, nothing fancy, but during a six-hour period Andre drank 119 of them.
What is the least harmful alcohol to drink? ›
Red wine, whiskey, tequila, and hard kombucha are healthier options than beer and sugary drinks. The CDC recommends you limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day if you're male and 1 if you're female.
What is the difference between a habitual drinker and an alcoholic? ›However, there are subtle differences between heavy drinking and alcoholism. Problem drinking is associated with someone who drinks too much, too often, or during inappropriate situations. Alcoholism, on the other hand, is a complex disease characterized by compulsive drinking regardless of negative consequences.
Do alcoholics sleep a lot? ›Alcohol may aid with sleep onset due to its sedative properties, allowing you to fall asleep more quickly. However, people who drink before bed often experience disruptions later in their sleep cycle as liver enzymes metabolize alcohol. This can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and other issues the following day.
What are six indicators of alcoholism? ›- Impaired judgment.
- Inappropriate sexual behavior.
- Aggressiveness.
- Mood changes.
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Poor social functioning.
- Problems driving or operating machinery.
Quitting is strongly advised if you: Have tried cutting down but cannot stay within the limits you set. Have had alcohol use disorder (AUD) or now have any symptoms. Have a physical or mental health condition that is caused or being worsened by drinking.
What do you call a person who drinks alcohol everyday? ›Alcoholism is also known as alcohol addiction, alcohol misuse or alcohol dependence. Medically, it's recognised as a type of 'alcohol-use disorder' which can be treated.
Do true feelings come out when drunk? ›Do true feelings come out when you're drunk? True feelings may come out when you're drunk, but this isn't necessarily true all the time. Instead, alcohol can make people make fake stories and react with emotions they don't feel.
How often is drinking too much? ›Heavy drinking: For women, heavy drinking is 8 drinks or more per week. For men, heavy drinking is 15 drinks or more per week.
What is excessive drinking? ›Heavy drinking is excessive drinking
Heavy drinking is defined as consuming 8 or more drinks per week for women, or 15 or more drinks per week for men.
Heavy drinking – even binging one or two nights a week – is harmful for your health, according to Dr. Bulat. Consequences like liver damage, blood pressure issues along with vomiting and seizures from excessive drinking can all occur if you consume too much.
What time should you stop drinking at night? ›
Stop Drinking Alcohol at Least 4 Hours Before Bed
This is probably the most important tip to follow. If you limit your alcohol intake to four hours or more before bedtime, you allow your body plenty of time to metabolize the alcohol and get it out of your system.
Health care providers consider your drinking medically unsafe when you drink: Many times a month, or even many times a week. 3 to 4 drinks (or more) in 1 day. 5 or more drinks on one occasion monthly, or even weekly.
What is considered a heavy drinker? ›What do you mean by heavy drinking? For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 8 drinks or more per week.
What are the healthiest beers? ›Some nutrition experts consider craft beer a more functional beverage since beer imparts medical benefits to the drinker. The healthiest are stouts and porters, and higher hoppy beers, such as DIPAs and Imperial IPAs, Trappist beers, and spontaneous fermented beers, such as Lambics and Gose.
Am I an alcoholic if I drink 5 beers a day? ›Heavy Alcohol Use:
NIAAA defines heavy drinking as follows: For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, consuming more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week.
Yes. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking is considered to be in the moderate or low-risk range for women at no more than three drinks in any one day and no more than seven drinks per week. For men, it is no more than four drinks a day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
Can I just stop drinking beer? ›While it is possible to quit drinking on your own, it is essential to consider your individual circumstances and the severity of your addiction. In some cases, professional help may be necessary, especially if you experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
How bad is drinking 10 beers a day? ›If you drink 8-12 beers a day for several years, you will likely experience a range of health problems as a result. Of course, long-term excessive drinking and/or alcohol dependence can affect more than just your health. It can also cause problems in your personal and professional life.
What happens if you drink beer every night? ›If drinking beer is your thing, it's best to do it in moderation, not every night. While drinking beer every day may relax you during these tough times, there are some significant downsides: weight gain, poor sleep, bad gastrointestinal inflammation, and other issues that can outlast your time spent in quarantine.
What does 6 beers a day do to your body? ›Large volumes of alcohol — beer, wine or whiskey — can damage the heart, raise blood pressure, wreak havoc on the digestive tract and injure the pancreas. Six 12-ounce cans of beer combined have 900 calories. It is all but impossible for a person to consume 900 extra calories a day and not gain weight.
What are the 4 Ps of alcoholism? ›
Parents, Partners, Past and Pregnancy (The 4Ps) Screening tool developed to detect dug, alcohol, and tobacco use among pregnant women and women of childbearing age.
What is the most common drink for alcoholics? ›- Gin.
- Tequila.
- Vodka.
- Whiskey.
- Rum.
- Brandy.
To reduce the risk of alcohol-related harms, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed.
What happens if you drink beer everyday? ›Drinking higher amounts of alcoholic beer can cause, blackouts, drowsiness, low blood sugar, vomiting, and other serious problems. Drinking large amounts of alcoholic beer long-term can cause many serious health problems including dependence, liver problems, and certain types of cancer.
Is it OK to drink a beer everyday? ›Moderate alcohol use for healthy adults generally means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Examples of one drink include: Beer: 12 fluid ounces (355 milliliters)