Risky Drinking – What Is It?

Risky drinking is a term that refers to consuming alcohol in a way that can lead to negative health, mental, and social consequences. Although it is not the same as alcohol dependence, it is a behavior that can lead to serious problems both in the short and long term. This problem is becoming increasingly visible at the social level, and its scale is growing, making it one of the most important threats to public health.

TL;DR

• Risky drinking is consuming alcohol in amounts that increase the risk of health, mental, and social problems, though it doesn't necessarily indicate addiction yet.

• It can lead to liver, heart, and brain diseases, depression, anxiety, aggression, as well as sleep and emotional disorders.

• It causes conflicts in family, professional, and social relationships, often leading to isolation and interpersonal difficulties.

• Risk factors include age (especially young people), difficult social conditions, emotional problems (stress, depression), and the influence of environment and media.

• Prevention includes education, promoting healthy lifestyles, developing stress management methods, and encouraging moderate or complete alcohol abstinence.

• Psychological and therapeutic support is important for people at risk of risky drinking or already facing its consequences.

What is risky drinking?

Risky drinking is a term used to describe alcohol consumption in amounts that increase the risk of health problems, including chronic diseases, addiction, and other complications, both mental and physical. It is usually not directly related to alcoholism, but can lead to a situation where a person begins to lose control over the amount of alcohol consumed. This behavior is characterized by regularly exceeding safe limits, and although it may not lead directly to addiction, it poses a serious health threat.

Criteria defining risky drinking

Risky drinking is defined as consuming alcohol in a way that increases the risk of health, social, or mental problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines this phenomenon as a single consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol which, although it does not yet cause negative consequences, may lead to them in the future if the person does not change their habits. Such behavior often leads to addiction, problems with controlling the amount of alcohol consumed, and can damage physical and mental health. Examples of risky drinking include:

• regular consumption of alcohol in excess

• drinking large amounts of alcohol on single occasions

• drinking in situations that threaten safety, such as driving under the influence

It is worth emphasizing that people who drink riskily often do not recognize the consequences of their behavior in time, which can lead to serious health and social problems in the future.

Effects of harmful drinking

Regular excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, or cancer of this organ. Alcohol is also a major risk factor for hypertension, which in turn leads to increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and brain diseases such as alcoholic brain atrophy. Long-term drinking can also cause damage to the nervous system, leading to chronic headaches or balance problems. Risky drinking also has a negative impact on mental health. Regular alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic depression, anxiety after alcohol, sleep disorders, as well as mood disorders such as emotional fluctuations or problems controlling aggression. Alcohol changes brain chemistry, which can lead to long-term changes in the behavior and emotional state of the drinking person. These disorders can also lead to addiction, which requires intensive treatment.

Social and professional consequences of risky drinking

Risky drinking can have a negative impact on social and professional spheres. People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol often encounter difficulties in maintaining stable interpersonal relationships. At work, in the family, or among friends, frequent conflicts, misunderstandings, and reduced quality of relationships may occur. Alcohol can lead to neglecting loved ones, resulting in loneliness and problems in family relationships. Furthermore, people who drink riskily may experience problems in building and maintaining healthy connections with other people, both at work and in private life.

Risk factors contributing to risky drinking

The risk of risky drinking is influenced by a number of different factors. Age is one of the most important – younger people are more likely to engage in risky behavior related to alcohol. Additionally, people living in difficult social conditions more often turn to alcohol, which is related to economic, social, and cultural circumstances. Other important factors are emotional problems such as stress, depression, or inability to cope with difficult emotions. Often people struggling with problems turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication, which can lead to addiction or the development of risky drinking.

Psychosocial aspects of risky drinking

People who drink riskily often fall into a social trap in which alcohol becomes part of daily social or professional rituals. Social changes, such as the influence of media and advertising, can also contribute to increased alcohol consumption. Often risky drinking is also a form of escape from difficult emotions and stress, resulting in strong psychological dependencies. Additionally, people who drink riskily may face social stigmatization and problems maintaining positive relationships with loved ones and in the professional environment.

Prevention of harmful drinking

Prevention of risky drinking should include a wide range of activities that not only educate but also engage the community in building healthy habits. A key element is raising awareness about the long-term effects of excessive alcohol consumption, both for physical and mental health. Educational campaigns should include information about the risk of developing addiction, problems with the nervous system, heart, as well as the impact of alcohol on social, family, and professional life. Promoting a healthy lifestyle is an important element of prevention, through encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, and developing the ability to cope with stress in a constructive way. An important aspect is also promoting the idea of healthy drinking, that is, limiting alcohol consumption to moderate amounts or completely avoiding alcohol, especially in stressful, emotional, or social situations.

Harmful drinking – help for people abusing alcohol

Equally important is providing emotional and psychological support to people who may have difficulties coping with life problems without turning to alcohol. For this purpose, it is worth developing support networks, such as psychological counseling or crisis interventions, which help people struggling with addiction or risky drinking. Prevention should work on many levels: educational, health, and social, creating conditions conducive to conscious and healthy decisions regarding alcohol consumption.

The problem of risky drinking

Risky drinking is a serious public health problem that can lead to numerous health and social consequences. Early recognition of the problem and taking appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures is key. Educating society about the risks associated with alcohol, as well as supporting people affected by this problem, can help reduce the scale of the phenomenon and improve the quality of life of people at risk.

Bibliography

• Wojnar, M. (red.) (2017). Medyczne aspekty uzależnienia od alkoholu. Warszawa: Państwowa Agencja Rozwiązywania Problemów Alkoholowych (PARPA).

• Krajowe Centrum Przeciwdziałania Uzależnieniom (KCPU). (2023). Raport 2023: Uzależnienia w Polsce. Warszawa: KCPU. Available online: https://kcpu.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Raport-2023-wersja-Internetowa.pdf

• Sygit-Kowalkowska, E. (2019). Stres w środowisku zawodowym a używanie alkoholu – stan badań i perspektywa ich dalszego rozwoju. Alkoholizm i Narkomania, 32(2), 109–130. DOI: 10.5114/ain.2019.87627.

• Klimkiewicz, A., Klimkiewicz, J., Jakubczyk, A., Kieres-Salomoński, I., & Wojnar, M. (2015). Comorbidity of alcohol dependence with other psychiatric disorders – Part I: Epidemiology of dual diagnosis. Psychiatria Polska, 49(2), 265–275. DOI: 10.12740/PP/25704.

• Chrobak-Kasprzyk, K. S., & Jośko-Ochojska, J. (2020). Ocena picia ryzykownego i szkodliwego oraz uzależnienia od alkoholu wśród adwokatów. Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna, 20(4), 259–266. DOI: 10.15557/PiPK.2020.0032.

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2018. Geneva: WHO. Available online: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565639

• Główny Inspektorat Sanitarny (GIS). (2021). Noworoczne postanowienie: ograniczam alkohol [GIS communication]. Warszawa: GIS. Available online: https://www.gov.pl/web/wsse-rzeszow/noworoczne-postanowienie-ograniczam-alkohol

• *Griswold, M. G., Fullman, N., Hawley, C., Arian, N., Zimsen, S. R. M., Tymeson, H. D., et al. (GBD 2016 Alcohol Collaborators). (2018). Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet, 392(10152), 1015–1035. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31310-2.

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What is a standard drink unit (SDU) and how much can I drink without increased risk?

One SDU is 10 g of pure ethanol (≈ 250 ml of 5% beer, 100 ml of 12% wine, 25 ml of 40% vodka). The low-risk limits adopted in prevention programs in Poland and the EU are:

• women: ≤ 2 SDU/day and ≤ 10 SDU/week,

• men: ≤ 4 SDU/day and ≤ 20 SDU/week,

with at least 2 "dry" days per week. Exceeding these values qualifies as risky drinking.

How can I quickly check if I'm drinking riskily?

Use AUDIT-C (3 questions) or the full AUDIT-10 – an app or paper version is sufficient; a score ≥ 5 points (women) / ≥ 7 points (men) suggests risk. In clinical settings, the 4-question CAGE is also used – 2 "yes" answers are a reason for expanded diagnostics.

Which biological factors increase sensitivity to alcohol?

• female body mass and lower alcohol dehydrogenase activity → higher blood ethanol concentration

• ALDH2 polymorphism (common in part of the Asian population) → intensified poisoning symptoms

• liver, thyroid diseases, epilepsy, and some medications (benzodiazepines, opioids) intensify the effects of alcohol

Why are women, seniors, and teenagers particularly at risk?

• Women develop liver damage and cardiomyopathy faster at lower doses.

• People over 60 metabolize ethanol more slowly and more often take medications that interact (e.g., warfarin, NSAIDs).

• Youth – the brain during myelination is more susceptible to memory and emotional regulation disorders.

Does risky drinking increase the risk of depression and suicide?

Yes. In the adolescent population, alcohol abuse co-occurs with anxiety, eating disorders, and increases the probability of suicidal behavior several times.

How can I reduce my drinking on my own?

Methods with proven effectiveness:

• Drinking diary – recording quantity and context helps reduce consumption by 15–20%.

• FRAMES rule in brief intervention: Feedback – Responsibility – Advice – Menu – Empathy – Self-efficacy.

• Mobile apps (e.g., AlkoKalkulator PARPA) send reminders about limits.

• Plan for alternative activities (sports, contact with non-drinking friends).

Can sudden cessation be dangerous?

In people drinking > 8 SDU/day for several weeks, there is a risk of severe withdrawal syndrome (seizures, delirium tremens). In case of tremors, tachycardia, sweating 6-8 hours after the last drink, go to the ER – the faster benzodiazepine administration, the lower the risk of complications.

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