1. Home
  2. Prevention & Wellness
  3. Best Health
  4. Wellness news
  5. 3 surprising myths about alcohol | Health observance - Apr.    

3 surprising myths about alcohol

Don’t be fooled.

Facts vs. myths graphic

From drinking a beer at a backyard barbecue to sipping a glass of wine before bed, alcohol can be a shortcut to socializing or winding down. Alcohol use is an increasing problem — and it’s a leading preventable cause of death in the United States. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so we’re sharing surprising myths to help you think before you drink.

1

Alcohol helps you to sleep better at night.


Drinking tonight might make you drowsy tomorrow. Alcohol can help you feel relaxed, but it may cause sleep problems or make them worse. Too little sleep is linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Try trading your nightcap for a cup of decaffeinated tea instead.

2

Having a high tolerance means it’s safe to drink more.


Over time, drinking alcohol can increase your tolerance. You might drink more before you can feel the effects. Excessive drinking may increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say.

Having less alcohol is better for your health than having more. If you drink daily, try to do so in moderation. For women, try having one drink or less. For men, aim for two drinks or less, the CDC says.

3

Excessive drinking is the same as alcohol use disorder.


People who drink excessively increase their risk of illness, injury and chronic disease. Excessive drinking includes:

  • Binge drinking: 4+ drinks for women or 5+ drinks for men
  • Heavy drinking: 8+ drinks for women or 15+ drinks for men per week
  • Drinking under age 21
  • Drinking during pregnancy

Alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism, is a disease that can cause:

  • Alcohol cravings
  • An inability to stop drinking after starting
  • Anxiousness and irritability when not drinking

People who are dependent on alcohol may struggle to stop or control their alcohol use, but help is available.

How to find support

If you or someone you know needs help, Sharp McDonald Center offers addiction treatment, aftercare and educational programs. You can also talk to your primary care physician about other in-network treatment options. Learn more about how to get support for alcohol use with resources from the National Institutes of Health, Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups.

As a Sharp Health Plan member, behavioral health services are covered under your benefits and can help you feel your best. We partner with Magellan Healthcare, Inc.1 and offer thousands of providers for you to choose from. In-person and convenient video visits are available. You don’t need a referral for outpatient therapy with a provider in your network. To get support, find a provider near you.

1. In California, Magellan is doing business as Human Affairs International of California, Inc.

You may also like …

Friends drinking and celebrating

How excessive drinking can affect your health

Learn how excessive drinking can put your health at risk.

Couple sitting together on the beach

How to support a loved one with alcohol use disorder

Serene Carruthers, LMFT, answers questions about alcohol use disorder and offers ways to support a loved one with the condition.

TraducirEspañol
Search for somethingSearch