Addiction specialist Favorsky explained why there is no safe dose of alcohol.

      08 September 2025 10:51

      [161]

      Society

      Is it okay to consume alcohol? Many are sure that occasional drinking is acceptable, the main thing is to know your limit. But addiction specialists assert: "a 'safe dose' is a myth." We discussed this topic with the chief physician of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Narcological Dispensary, Valery Tarasov.

      — Valery Konstantinovich, can one consume alcohol without harming their health?

      — The answer will not please everyone, but there is no safe dose of alcohol. There is a level of consumption at which the risk is relatively low; however, the WHO does not define such norms. Studies show: for health, it is safest to give up alcohol completely. Alcohol is associated with roughly 60 diseases, and in almost all cases the rule applies: the more and the more often you drink, the higher the risk of getting sick. It is one of the leading causes of many illnesses and premature death.

      — Is alcohol really that dangerous?

      — Alcohol is a poison that causes diseases of a number of systems, for example:

      Gastrointestinal system: esophagitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis.

      Musculoskeletal system: gout, myopathy.

      Genitourinary system: renal failure, glomerulonephritis.

      Nervous system: stroke, epilepsy, brain atrophy.

      Respiratory system: aspiration pneumonia.

      Cardiovascular system: hypertension, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy.

      Alcohol also increases the risk of cancers — of the liver, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, as well as of the head and neck. And that is not to mention the social consequences: violence, street conflicts, family tragedies.

      — And young people need not worry? After all, they are still young.

      — On the contrary! Brain development continues until age 25. The adolescent brain is especially vulnerable, and early alcohol use greatly increases the risk of addiction in the future. The earlier you start drinking, the more severe the consequences.

      — Isn't red wine supposed to be healthy?

      — That is a common myth. Red wine has no beneficial properties, especially with regular consumption. Any amount of alcohol harms both physical and mental health. In addition, alcohol destroys relationships with loved ones and often leads to legal problems. There is a good phrase: "Alcohol is an excellent solvent. It dissolves marriages, friendships, families, jobs, the liver and the brain. But it does not dissolve problems." The only reliable way to avoid risk is total abstinence from psychoactive substances.

      — What if a person drinks very little? Is there a difference if they quit?

      — There is, and a very noticeable one. Even for those who drank moderately, giving up alcohol produces obvious results: sleep improves, energy returns, and the risk of a range of diseases decreases.

      — Can't women drink as much as men?

      — In women the consequences occur faster and are more severe. The time from the start of drinking to intoxication is 3–4 times shorter than in men. At the same time women more often hide the problem and mask symptoms. Men produce more enzymes that break down alcohol, so the destructive processes in them start later. As a result, deterioration in women progresses more rapidly. This often leads to family tragedies: husbands leave drinking wives, which exacerbates their already difficult situation.

      Earlier the specialist explained why beer is not safer than vodka.

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