At Risk Drinking
Drinking alcohol harms the organs in the body.
Learn the Facts
Heavy drinking, often called “at-risk” drinking, is drinking more alcohol than recommended. Alcohol reacts differently based on your body type. Most women tend to absorb more alcohol and it may take longer to metabolize it. (2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Drinking too much can have many risks for women.
Drinking too much for women includes:
How much is too much?
At-risk drinking and your health:
Drinking alcohol harms the organs in the body. The more a person drinks, the higher their risk of getting a disease.
Health risks include:
Many do not realize that at-risk drinking is a problem until it negatively changes your life. Not only does it affect your finances but your loved ones too.
You can choose
- Choose not to drink too much yourself and help others to do the same.
- If you choose to drink alcohol, drink no more than 1 drink per day for women, and no more than 2 drinks per day for men.
- Not to serve or give alcohol to those who should not be drinking, such as people under the age of 21 or those who drank too much.
Talk with your doctor about your drinking habit and ask for help.
What happens to you when you quit alcohol
Quitting alcohol or limiting the amount you drink looks different for everyone.
- Lower the risk of heart disease.
- May reduce risk of cancer.
- May go through weight loss due to cutting
calories from the alcohol. - Help brain health.
Seek help if you are struggling with at-risk drinking. Based on how long and how heavy of a drinker you are, quitting alcohol may cause harm to your health when trying to quit cold turkey. Reach out for the support you need to quit at-risk drinking.
Screen and Intervene to Reduce Binge Drinking
Binge drinking can cause injury, disease, death
Binge drinking is defined as
on an occasion, in about 2-3 hours
More intervention is needed
4 in 5 adults who binge
drink were not advised to reduce drinking by a healthcare provider.
Primary Care Providers can make a difference
SCREEN all adults
PROVIDE FEEDBACK about health risks
WORK TOGETHER to reduce drinking if patient desires
HPSJ Services
Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) is here for you. Learn about all the resources available to you.
HealthReach 24/7 Nurse Advice Line
HealthReach 24 hours, 7 days a week Nurse Advice Line – 800.655.8294. HPSJ members have access to listen to the audio health library topics. Dial the extension for alcohol-related topics. 1838, 2435, 2428
Social Worker of the Day
Call to get resources if you need help to pay for food, rent, or other social needs that might be causing you stress. Call 209.942.6395 Monday to Friday 8 AM – 5 PM
Carelon
Your emotional well-being matters. If the stress you feeling is too much you always have access to therapists and other related experts. Call Carelon Behavioral Health (previously known as Beacon Health Options) 888.581.7526.
Case Management
A program that gives you care to meet your health needs with other chronic health issues. Our nurses work with you, your doctors, and the person taking care of you. To join you can call 209.942.6352.
Additional Resources
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- Alcohol Use and Your Health
- Excessive Alcohol Use is a Risk to Women’s Health
- Excessive Drinking is Draining the U.S. Economy
- Preventing Excessive Alcohol Use
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Alcohol Facts and Statistics
- National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service – 1.800.662.HELP
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- Alcoholics Anonymous – 209.464.1594
- Al-Anon/Alateen – 209.547.3086
- San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Services – 209.468.9600
- Community Medical Centers Behavioral Health Service
- Stanislaus Recovery Center – 209.525.7411
Posted on February 6th, 2022 and last modified on April 5th, 2023.
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