Why Do Moderate Drinkers Live Longer Than Abstainers?

why do some alcoholics live long

The exact mechanisms by which alcohol contributes to cardiovascular diseases are not fully understood. However, it is believed that long-term alcohol abuse can lead to inflammation, damage to blood vessels, and disruptions in the normal functioning of the heart. The impact of alcoholism on life expectancy is substantial. Individuals who why do some alcoholics live long abuse alcohol tend to die about 12 years sooner than those who do not drink.

why do some alcoholics live long

The Difference Between Disordered Eating vs Eating Disorder

why do some alcoholics live long

Treatment for alcohol addiction may include therapies such as counseling, behavioral therapy, and group support sessions. These approaches help individuals address the underlying causes of their addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms to maintain sobriety. Excessive consumption of alcohol can have detrimental effects on a person’s physical well-being, particularly when it is misused over a prolonged period.

How Amphetamines Alter Body Temperature?

why do some alcoholics live long

It’s crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of these substances and the importance of comprehensive interventions to address their combined impact. While some studies suggest light to moderate alcohol consumption can help fight cardiovascular disease, heavier drinking may have the reverse effect (6). For example, studies suggest that drinking one to two drinks per day might reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, but tip back another and your risk of either incident significantly increases (7).

why do some alcoholics live long

Exploring the Benefits of Substance Use Counseling

Discover strategies and tools to socialize with confidence. Discovering that your spouse is struggling with alcoholism can be a challenging and emotionally overwhelming experience. Explore the need for drug addicts’ recovery, from barriers to treatment to empowering therapy approaches. Explore ways to combat substance abuse in college students, from prevention to effective intervention methods. Explore inclusive addiction treatment for the LGBTQ+ community, addressing unique challenges and tailored care.

  • The combination of alcohol and cigarette use can lead to a synergistic effect, where the harmful effects of one substance amplify the negative outcomes of the other.
  • Given this, for those who drink, just a light amount of alcohol seems to be most beneficial.
  • Inpatient rehab offers 24/7 care, structured therapy, and a supportive environment, helping individuals build resilience and strategies for lasting recovery and wellness.
  • Explore the impact of social influences, limited support, and co-occurring disorders.
  • Through immersive, deeply personalized recovery programs, we help clients heal from addiction, trauma, and abuse.
  • A large 2017 study also found that light and moderate drinkers were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who never sipped.
  • Explore inpatient rehab Kansas options for effective recovery and supportive environments tailored to your needs.

This can involve increasing the availability and accessibility of treatment services, reducing stigma, and educating individuals and communities about the benefits of seeking help for alcoholism. PubMed Central also reported that people with AUD have the highest all-cause mortality among all people receiving treatment for mental disorders. Their meta-analysis including 81 observational studies from many countries showed that people with AUD have three-fold higher mortality in men and four-fold higher mortality in women than the general population. University of California Irvine’s Dr. Claudia Kawas, MD, told listeners during the AAAS panel discussion last Saturday in Austin, Texas, that moderate drinking is linked to a longer life. Of course, relationships have their own chemistry, a language of dopamine, oxytocin, vasopressin, etc. Instead, they come from other people, from those lovely conversations we share over a glass or three of wine.

Providing support, therapy, and interventions aimed at strengthening their mental well-being can help mitigate the long-term effects and promote healthier outcomes in their lives. Growing up in a household affected by alcoholism can have significant effects on the mental health and well-being of children. The impact of alcoholism on children can manifest in various ways, including mental health marijuana addiction challenges and long-term effects. Alcohol appears to trigger the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, elevating inflammation and promoting liver damage (12).

  • Explore what environmental factors inspire addiction, from cultural influences to urban stress.
  • Demystify what is emergency outpatient treatment, its benefits, and how it’s changing healthcare access.
  • However, alcoholic beverages are far from a magic pill and drinking is always a trade-off between the positives and negatives.
  • Heavy drinking is defined as drinking up to three alcoholic beverages per day for women of any adult age and for men age 65 and older.
  • Chronic alcohol abuse can result in deficiencies of vitamins B1, B6, B12, folate, and minerals such as magnesium and zinc.

The resulting study population consisted of 3,646 men and 4,161 women (Appendix-Figure 1). So, where do alcohol’s apparent longevity benefits come from? According to a 2016 meta-analysis of 87 studies linking alcohol consumption and longevity, casual drinking may be an indicator of other lifestyle factors related to good health rather than a cause.

How Alcohol Addiction Impacts Life Expectancy

  • Even so, after taking into account the confounding factors, the researchers found that moderate drinker was still more likely to live longer than the abstainer or heavy drinker.
  • The prevalence of AUD varies across different demographic groups.
  • A 30-YEAR study has concluded that heavy drinkers are more likely to live to 85 without dementia — something the Queen may already know.
  • The risk of death from liver disease skyrockets off the chart after only a couple of drinks a day.
  • Understand the risks, timeline, and professional alternatives.
  • The new study isn’t the first to link alcohol with a long life.

There is little evidence on precisely how much might be harmful in this respect, but I suspect it mainly relates to heavy drinkers. Unfortunately, higher amounts of alcohol have close links to several types of cancer. Here is a summary of some research looking into the health effects of alcohol. By looking at the studies, there does appear to be a connection between alcohol consumption and longevity. Explore “what is drug therapy?”, its various types, and how it’s transforming lives in the realm of healthcare. Discover why an inpatient drug rehabilitation center isn’t always the answer; explore alternatives for recovery.

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