How Much Alcohol Causes a Hangover?  The effects of a hangover differ from person to person.1 Some people may have a hangover from just one alcoholic drink, while others can drink excessively and not get a hangover. The body processes one alcoholic drink per hour (on average). Consuming many drinks in a short time...

Why Do Alcoholics Drink? People who drink moderately may be able to say no to alcohol. They may go days, weeks, months, or even years between drinks. However, an individual who struggles with drinking may find it hard to avoid alcohol consumption. They may drink alcohol compulsively every day. When someone suffers from alcohol...

Healthy Alcohol Substitutes: How to ‘Wind Down’ Without The Risks of Alcohol  You might want to find a non-alcoholic alternative if you’re accustomed to drinking heavily or using alcohol as a relaxation tool. Moderate alcohol consumption is assumed safe for most people, but too much or too frequent drinking poses a variety of health...

What is Alcohol (Ethanol)? Alcohol, also known as ethanol, ethyl alcohol, and grain alcohol, is a clear, colorless liquid. It is the principal intoxicating ingredient of alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and distilled spirits.  In addition to alcoholic drinks, ethanol is used in a variety of other ways as well. It is a...

Quitting drinking can be challenging, regardless of how often you consume it.  For some, it is difficult to give up alcohol in certain social settings, even if drinking leads to feelings of depression or guilt afterwards. For others, alcohol has become such an ingrained part of everyday life that physical dependence is developed.  While...

Alcoholism is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption often leads to addiction, known as alcoholism.  Nearly 6% of American adults and 2% of American adolescents suffer from an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Around the world, over 107 million people are estimated to have an alcohol use disorder....

Is it Normal to Drink Beer Every Day? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recommends no more than three to four drinks per day. This means no more than four drinks for men and no more than three drinks for women. Other guidelines provide similar advice and acknowledge that a small...

How Do I Know if I Need to Quit Drinking Alcohol? The easiest way to know if you need to quit drinking alcohol is to try to stop. If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, you almost certainly do. If you are successful in limiting alcohol intake, you might not need...

Why Does Alcohol Make You Drunk? You get drunk when you consume alcohol faster than your body can break it down. Even though alcohol affects everyone differently, the way it is broken down by the liver is the same for everyone.  More specifically, as you drink alcohol, the liver starts breaking it down. An...

Can I Take Medications to Stop Drinking Alcohol? There are various medicines available to help people stop drinking.  However, there are currently only three medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Three Best Medications to Help You Stop Drinking Here is an overview of the...