Your doctor or healthcare provider can diagnose alcohol use disorder. They\u2019ll do a physical exam and ask you questions about your drinking habits. Alcoholism has been known by a variety of terms, including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. People are typically more motivated to seek support for their alcohol abuse after a very negative event occurs. This is often referred to as a \u2018rock bottom\u2019 experience, which refers to the low point of negative consequences one undergoes as a result of their drinking.<\/p>\n
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Ultimately, people must make their own decisions based on their personal risk factors and tolerances, ideally with the help of a trusted health professional. And not so long ago there was general consensus that drinking in moderation also came with health advantages, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. She says that alcohol itself is not terribly toxic, but the liver breaks it down into acetaldehyde, which damages DNA and plays a key role in cancer development. For this group, drinking less or quitting is essential for survival.<\/p>\n
It also includes alcohol dependence or alcoholism, which is when you\u2019ve lost control of your drinking. If too much alcohol is harmful but some is beneficial, how do you decide how much is okay? The risks that come with drinking alcohol frequently outweigh the benefits. If you drink, do so in moderation\u2014no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.<\/p>\n
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