Alcohol and Women

Frequently Asked Questions Expand All

• What is at-risk drinking?

  At-risk drinking means drinking more than seven drinks a week or three drinks in a single day. At-risk drinking also includes binge drinking.

  For some women, drinking any amount of alcohol is at-risk drinking. These include women who are

  • unable to keep their drinking at a moderate level

  • younger than age 21

  • pregnant or planning a pregnancy

  • about to drive or perform a task that may result in injury

  • taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that interact with alcohol

• What is binge drinking?

  For women, binge drinking is having four or more drinks in about 2 hours. Binge drinking is a major problem among women in the United States. About 13 in 100 adult women report binge drinking in the last 30 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During each binge, they have at least five drinks. About 15 in 100 teen girls also report binge drinking.

• How does my body process alcohol?

  Women and men react differently to alcohol. A chemical in the body that breaks down alcohol is less active in your body than it is in men’s bodies. This means that more of the alcohol that you drink enters your bloodstream. Women typically weigh less than men and have less body water, so the alcohol that you drink is not diluted as quickly as the alcohol a man drinks. You will become intoxicated more quickly and have a higher blood alcohol level than a man who drinks the same amount.

• What are the health risks of at-risk drinking for women?

  Regular at-risk drinking can lead to alcohol dependence (also called alcoholism). Doctors also may call this alcohol use disorder. Women who are alcohol dependent keep using alcohol even when it causes problems with their health, safety, or relationships. Increased physical risks include

  • injuries

  • interpersonal violence

  • sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy

  • birth defects

  • menstrual disorders and altered fertility

  • heart and liver disease

  • seizures

  • certain types of cancer

• What are the signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence?

  • Craving—A strong urge to drink

  • Loss of control—After starting to drink, not being able to stop

  • Dependence—Alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking

  • Tolerance—The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect

• How can drinking alcohol during pregnancy affect my fetus?

  Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is a leading cause of birth defects. Alcohol can harm a fetus throughout pregnancy. This includes the first few weeks before you know you are pregnant and during the last weeks of pregnancy when the fetal brain is maturing. Even moderate alcohol use during pregnancy can cause lifelong problems with a child’s learning and behavior. Any amount is risky for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. All types of alcohol are harmful, including beer and wine.

• What are fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)?

  Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are health problems that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.

• What is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)?

  The most severe FASD is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS can cause

  • problems with brain development

  • lower-than-average height and weight

  • smaller-than-normal head size

  • abnormal facial features

  For every child born with FAS, many more are born with other FASDs. These children may have problems with coordination, behavior, attention, learning, and understanding consequences without any of the physical signs of FAS.

• How can I prevent birth defects related to alcohol use?

  Birth defects related to alcohol are 100 percent preventable by not drinking during pregnancy. There are three ways to prevent birth defects caused by drinking:

  1. If you do not want to get pregnant and you drink alcohol, use effective birth control.

  2. If you are planning to get pregnant, do not drink.

  3. If you are pregnant and have been drinking, stop. This will reduce the risk of harm to your fetus.

• What if I drank a small amount of alcohol before I knew I was pregnant?

  Although it is true that no amount of alcohol use is safe during pregnancy, serious harm from this kind of use is unlikely. The important thing is to not drink any alcohol for the rest of the pregnancy.

• How can I get help to reduce my drinking or stop drinking?

  Your obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) can refer you to resources near you. You also might find it helpful to visit “Rethinking Drinking,” a National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website, at www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov. This site also includes contact information for self-help groups you can join.

• What treatment options are available if I am dependent on alcohol?

  • Support groups—Support groups can help prevent relapse. They may be led by professionals or other people who have struggled with alcohol dependence. One such group is Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org).

  • Counseling—Therapy can help you, your friends, and your family cope with the stresses and the effects of alcohol dependence.

  • Outpatient treatment—In outpatient treatment, patients go home at the end of each day of treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) keeps a list of programs. To find one near you, visit www.findtreatment.gov.

  • Medication—Prescription medication can help reduce the craving for alcohol or prevent relapse.

  • Residential care—In residential care, patients live at the treatment facility. These programs offer intense treatment where recovery is the main focus of the patient’s daily activities.

• Glossary

  Birth Control: Devices or medications used to prevent pregnancy.

  Birth Defects: Physical problems that are present at birth.

  Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): A group of physical, mental, behavioral, and learning disabilities that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.

  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): The most severe disorder resulting from alcohol use during pregnancy. FAS can cause abnormalities in brain development, physical growth, and facial features of a baby or child.

  Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.

  Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A doctor with special training and education in women's health.

  Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)s: Infections that are spread by sexual contact. Infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).