An alcohol problem can affect anyone at any age. Many factors, including job stress, genetics or depression, may contribute to the start of disordered drinking.
Drinking alcohol exists on a continuum. For example, if someone feels down in the dumps for some time, it doesn’t mean they are clinically depressed. So if someone goes through a period with above-normal alcohol consumption, it doesn’t necessarily mean they abuse alcohol.
Although “alcoholic” and “alcoholism” are common, they are not clinical descriptions. Alcohol use disorder is the preferred term. Symptoms are often mild but can be the start of a more significant problem. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), over 16 million adults live with alcohol use disorder.
Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
Do you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone you know?
Drinking more or longer than intended
Trying to cut down or stop drinking but not able to
Having to drink more than you once did to get the same feeling
Being annoyed when family members discuss your drinking
Regretting your behavior while you were drinking
Renown Behavioral Health
Expert care from psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors at the Stacie MathewsonBehavioral Health & Addiction Institute.
Studies show there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, as the negative effects outweigh any health benefits. Harmful drinking can cause the following health problems:
Depression
Social problems
Alcohol-related accidents
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Various types of cancer
Sleep loss
Liver disease
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism there is a difference between heavy drinking and binge drinking.
Heavy drinking: Having more than seven drinks per week
Binge drinking: Having over four drinks within two hours
If you're worried about alcohol overuse, consult a doctor or addiction service. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has 24/7 helpline available for treatment referrals: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
At Renown’s Crisis Care Center, Peer Support Specialists help patients through some of the hardest moments of their lives with compassion, practical support and a steady presence. We sat down with Valerie Butler, a Peer Support Specialist at the Crisis Care Center, to talk about what brought her to this work, what a typical shift looks like and why crisis care is such a critical resource for our community.
Summertime welcomes a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy, including swimming, hiking, exercising and more. However, did you know that urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more prevalent during the summer months—especially among women—due to several factors, including temperature, dehydration, prolonged exposure to wet clothing and an increased risk of bacteria spreading to sensitive areas?
As this season beckons more time in the great outdoors for all ages, the risk of bug bites from simply being outside more often also increases. “While many bug bites cause nothing more than an annoying itch or bump, in some cases, they can pose more serious health risks if not treated promptly,” says Dr. Russell Stodtmeister, a family medicine physician with Renown Health.
