The legal drinking age varies widely across the globe. While many nations set their minimum at 18 or 21, others are far more lenient—sometimes allowing alcohol as early as 16, or even having no age ...
Alcohol use disorder (sometimes called alcoholism) is a common medical condition. In this disorder, people can’t stop drinking, even when drinking affects their health, puts their safety at risk and damages their personal relationships. Treatment includes medication and behavioral therapy.
Drinking less is better for your health than drinking more. You can lower your health risks by drinking less or choosing not to drink. Your liver can only process small amounts of alcohol. The rest of the alcohol can harm your liver and other organs as it moves through the body.
Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of stroke.
Drinking alcohol in any amount is a health risk that increases with each drink you have. The risk peaks with heavy drinking, including binge drinking, which carries serious health risks.
For millions of people, alcohol is a regular part of their lives. But there are many downsides to drinking - some familiar, others less well appreciated. And concerns about the risks of even moderate drinking are on the rise.
The Health Risks of Drinking Alcohol | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School ...
Keep reading to learn about the effects of alcohol on the body and the potential benefits of drinking or not drinking it.