The Issue in Brief

Different drinking patterns are related to different short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) health outcomes. Several decades of research have documented a solid relationship between drinking patterns and a range of health outcomes—both beneficial and harmful. In general:●● Regular and moderate drinking is associated with a ●● number of health benefits. Harmful outcomes are mostly associated with ●● heavy drinking patterns. Outcomes of drinking vary among individuals, influ-●● enced by age, gender, genetic makeup, general health, and other factors: Alcohol has different physiological effects on men ●● and women. Age plays an important role in determining the ●● likely effects of drinking. Genetic factors are involved in determining indi-●● vidual responses to drinking. Existing medical conditions and medications can ●● lead to adverse reactions to alcohol consumption. There is evidence that individuals with certain men-●● tal health problems are at increased risk for alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and other adverse outcomes. Drinking patterns and their effects have been studied ●● in relation to a wide array of illnesses and conditions, including: coronary and vascular diseases;●● Type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome;●● cancer;●● cognitive and neurological function.●● The information in this overview is supplemented by additional ICAP Health Briefings that provide information on specific issues