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Heavy Alcohol Consumption. How Much Damage Done To Health?
Hello Doctor, I am 33 now. From the age of 26 uptil 30 I was heavy on alcohol consumption (say daily 180 ml of brandy). I realized that alcohol was taking me nowhere and decided to cut it down. I have now reduced it in the past 3 years. I drink 3-4 beers (650ml bottle) once a week. I have started exercising regularly and watching my diet in the past 4 months. I have 2 questions to you, 1) In my terrible time of those 4 years, how much bad have I done to my health? 2) Is 3-4 beers once a week sufficient to hurt my health. In other words, is it ok for me to consume that quantity?
Wed, 23 Jan 2013
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
Excessive consumption of alcohol can definitely have adverse consequences on health. However it may be difficult to exactly quantify how much of an impact this has had on your health. You can have a complete check-up with your doctor to see if you have any alcohol-related health problems.
Regarding safe drinking limits, men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Each bottle of beer contains 2.5 to 3 units of alcohol and can vary according to the strength. So, though your average weekly consumption is within the limit, your daily alcohol consumption definitely exceeds the safe limit.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
Excessive consumption of alcohol can definitely have adverse consequences on health. However it may be difficult to exactly quantify how much of an impact this has had on your health. You can have a complete check-up with your doctor to see if you have any alcohol-related health problems.
Regarding safe drinking limits, men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Each bottle of beer contains 2.5 to 3 units of alcohol and can vary according to the strength. So, though your average weekly consumption is within the limit, your daily alcohol consumption definitely exceeds the safe limit.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist
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