But some people who drink heavily appear to be at a greater risk for developing these problems than others.
Some people have specific genes that lead to unpleasant side effect after drinking even a small amount.
How Fast Is Alcohol Metabolized?
Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images
No matter how much alcohol you consume, your body can only metabolize a certain amount every hour.
The results illustrate the fact that the body can only break down and eliminate so much alcohol per hour.
It is important to remember that these times are averages.
In reality, the time each individual takes to metabolize alcohol can vary widely.
But in all cases, alcohol is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed.
Then enzymes, bodily chemicals that break down other chemicals, begin to metabolize the alcohol.
This inhibitory effect can then lead to impaired motor function.
Variations of ADH and ALDH enzymes have been traced to variations in the genes that produce these enzymes.
The Difference Between Women and Men
Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently from men.
These effects can occur with even moderate alcohol consumption.
Their gene variant has a protective effect againstdeveloping alcoholism.
That protective gene, ADH1B*2, is rarely found in people of European and African descent.
That means our genes play an important part, but other factors also make up half of the story.
This suggests that other factors can overcome protective genetic effects.
In the United States, more Native Americans die of alcohol-related causes than any other ethnic group.
So, even some moderate drinkers are a greater risk of developing cancer.
More than 90% of heavy drinkers develop fatty liver.
Estradiol contributes to increased bone density and a reduced risk of coronary artery disease.
Current evidence-based treatments for alcohol use disorder include:
Treatments vary depending on the needs of the individual.
A combination of therapy, medications, and 12-step facilitation can be the most effective in many cases.
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.Alcohol facts.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol metabolism.
National Cancer Institute.Alcohol and cancer risk.
Rodriguez FD, Covenas R.Biochemical mechanisms associating alcohol use disorders with cancers.Cancers (Basel).
2017;10(1):45. doi:10.1186/s13041-017-0325-8
Ramchandani VA.Genetics of alcohol metabolism.
In: Watson RR, Preedy VR, Zibadi S, eds.Alcohol, Nutrition, and Health Consequences.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use is a risk to women’s health.
2010;34(7):1274-1281. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01205.x
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Genetics of alcohol use disorder.
2017;96(13):e6506.
doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000006506
Osna NA, Donohue TM Jr, Kharbanda KK.Alcoholic liver disease: Pathogenesis and current management.Alcohol Res.
2017;38(2):147-161.
