Our alcohol consumption can vary throughout the year. Most often we associate high alcohol consumption with parties and fun. Low consumption, on the other hand, is perhaps associated with dinners and quiet evenings at home. When you’re on holiday, there’s usually more partying and fun than there is otherwise, and for many it’s good to relax with a glass of wine or a beer every day. Therefore, alcohol consumption is also higher overall during the summer.
But what is high alcohol consumption? And when is too much alcohol? And not least – what happens to the body when you drink alcohol every day? Some also become addicted to alcohol and many will ask themselves how much alcohol is okay to drink. Especially during a period where alcohol consumption is very high, as is often the case during the holidays.
This also particularly applies when it comes to topics such as family, children and alcohol. Because is it really okay to drink alcohol in front of the children ? We will take a closer look at this in this article. You can also read about recommended alcohol consumption. First, we will look at the connection between alcohol and health.
TAKE THE TEST: ARE YOU ALCOHOL DEPENDENT?
What is high alcohol consumption?
In Norway, 1 unit of alcohol is considered 12 grams of pure alcohol . This alone will give you a blood alcohol level of 0.25. For some, a moderate intake of alcohol can be perfectly fine. For others, however, it can lead to alcoholism in a short time .
There is no established conclusion as to what is too much alcohol, because everyone reacts differently to the effects.
Even low alcohol consumption over a long period of time can be harmful to our health. A British study that took place between 1985 and 2015 examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and cognitive skills . They found no protective effects against brain damage with alcohol consumption of 1-5 units per week. An intake of 9 – 14 units per week gave a significantly higher risk of brain damage. While those who consumed more than 20 units per week had the highest risk.
On the other side, there are also those who believe that an intake of 6 – 12 units per week can result in a lower risk of stroke, dementia and heart attack.
Nevertheless, the general recommendation from the health authorities is to keep alcohol consumption as low as possible , as there are more harmful effects than there are health benefits.
How much alcohol can you drink?
As the introduction described, there is often more alcohol during the holidays. Maybe it will be a glass or two every day. But what happens to the body when you drink alcohol every day? And how quickly do you become addicted to alcohol?
Only the liver cleanses the body of alcohol, and we see that alcohol consumption of 2-3 units a day can increase the risk of liver damage . At the same time, a number of other health-damaging effects can develop:
- Stroke
- Diseases of the nervous system and brain
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Bleeding
- Increased blood pressure
In addition to the points mentioned above, you can also develop an increased tolerance for alcohol over time. This means that you will need larger amounts of alcohol to notice the same effect, so that a few days between each time you drink alcohol will be good for you in several ways.
Anyone can develop alcoholism. Some people are more prone to it than others, but it can happen to anyone. If the alcohol intake is very high over a long period of time, the body will need a long time to return to normal. If after the holiday you feel the urge to drink more alcohol, you would do very well to take a few “white weeks”. This means that you abstain from alcohol for quite some time. This is how you will reduce your body’s need for alcohol.
Should you drink alcohol in front of your children?
There is no clear answer to this question either . All children experience their parents’ drinking differently. But we must also remember that all adults react differently to their own alcohol consumption . The vast majority of children have experienced the one time during the holiday when a parent, aunt or other adult has drunk a little too much. Many children may find this unpleasant; children get a lot more than we would all think.
The most important thing you can do as a parent is to know your own limitations. It is your job to make your child feel safe.
When you yourself notice that the intoxication affects your own behavior, you have taken in too much. If other adults in the same place become very drunk, it will be your responsibility to consider whether you should take the children somewhere else for the child’s own good. This applies especially during holidays or holidays such as Christmas . This is a time to enjoy yourself, but first and foremost it should be fun for the whole family , and especially the children.
Get over your alcohol consumption
The most important thing we can do in connection with alcohol is to have a conscious relationship with alcohol consumption . If there has been too much alcohol during the holiday, you should have a period where you abstain from it completely. Recommended alcohol consumption will be what you yourself feel comfortable with without affecting your daily functioning or risking your health or good family life.
If after the holiday you feel that the craving for alcohol is still there, you should seek help. We can help you overcome your alcohol consumption from the comfort of your own living room . Read more about our offer here . Get in touch today for discreet and private treatment.
