College & Alcohol

Being a college freshman is a vulnerable time for teenagers. Before you drop your kids off on campus, talk with them about alcohol use and the possible consequences - including penalties for underage drinking and impaired judgement. Talking with your kids about alcohol now could prevent serious problems later.

Alcohol

Also called: Drinking

Alcohol

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Alcohol is the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Other Languages

Find health information in languages other than English on Alcohol

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

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Summary

If you are like many Americans, you drink alcohol at least occasionally. For many people, moderate drinking is probably safe. It may even have health benefits, including reducing your risk of certain heart problems. For most women and for most people over 65, moderate drinking is no more than three drinks a day or seven drinks per week. For men under 65, it is no more than four drinks a day or 14 drinks per week.

Some people should not drink at all, including alcoholics, children, pregnant women, people taking certain medicines, and people with certain medical conditions. If you have questions about whether it is safe for you to drink, speak with your health care provider.

Anything more than moderate drinking can be risky. Heavy drinking can lead to alcoholism and alcohol abuse, as well as injuries, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and other health problems. It can also cause problems at home, at work, and with friends.

NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Start Here

Alcohol and Public Health: Frequently Asked Questions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Alcohol Facts (National Institute on Drug Abuse)Also in Spanish
Alcohol Use: If You Drink, Keep It Moderate (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact on Your Health (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Overview of Alcohol Consumption (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

Diagnosis and Tests

Blood Alcohol Level (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

College Drinking - Changing the Culture (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Tips for Cutting Down on Drinking (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

Related Issues

Alcohol Alert: Alcohol's Damaging Effects on the Brain (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Alcohol Alert: Link Between Stress and Alcohol (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Alcohol and Heart Health (American Heart Association)
Alcohol Intolerance (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
Alcohol Overdose: The Dangers of Drinking Too Much (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Alcohol Poisoning (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Alcohol Use and Cancer (American Cancer Society) - PDF
Alcohol's Effects on the Body (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Alcohol: Does It Affect Blood Pressure? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
Antidepressants and Alcohol (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
Caffeine and Alcohol (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Drinking Levels Defined (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Drugged Driving (National Institute on Drug Abuse)Also in Spanish
Hangovers (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)Also in Spanish
Risky Drinking Can Put a Chill on Your Summer Fun (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Using Alcohol to Relieve Your Pain: What Are the Risks? (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - PDF

Genetics

Genetics Home Reference: alcohol use disorder (National Library of Medicine)

Health Check Tools

Alcohol Calorie Calculator (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Calculators (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Interactive Worksheets and More (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

Statistics and Research

Alcohol and Cancer Risk (National Cancer Institute)Also in Spanish
Alcohol Facts and Statistics (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Calories Consumed from Alcoholic Beverages by U.S. Adults, 2007-2010(National Center for Health Statistics)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Reference Desk

NIAAA Spectrum (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

Find an Expert

Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services Locator(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Getting Help (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Men

Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Men's Health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Women

Alcohol: A Women's Health Issue (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)Also in Spanish
Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women's Health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Women and Alcohol (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) - PDF