If you answered yes to any of above questions, then you could have an alcohol related problem. If you answered yes to more than one, then you should seriously start thinking about treatment options because, like any disease, if caught early enough, chances for success are exponentially greater than if you allow disease (as it is a disease of body and mind) to carry on its course.

Once you talk to an expert or others about these issues, you'll find best route of treatment. Many problem drinkers recover and abstain from alcohol for rest of their lives. Others attempt to moderate their consumption. That, however, takes even more control and determination than quitting all together.

And, as stated, if you 'feel' within yourself that there is a problem, or if others have shown concern in regard to your drinking habits, then it might be best to consider abstaining from alcohol completely, thereby allowing you no "slip ups" in future. =========================================================== Discover valuable advice and information about alcohol abuse - its causes and its treatment. Website contains valuable articles and information about this widespread problem. Click ==> http://www.alcohol-abuse-mastery.com/

Inevitably, there are more long-term risks connected to binge drinking. A person who binge drinks over a period of years could be increasing risk of heart disease by affecting accumulation of abdominal fat, a body characteristic shown to be an important risk factor in cardiovascular diseases. Heart attacks and other forms of coronary heart disease (CHD) result in approximately 500,000 deaths per year accounting for 25% of nation’s mortality.

It may be surprising to learn that epidemiological research from across globe has revealed that moderate alcohol consumption actually lowers risk of CHD by approximately 30%. Moderate drinkers exhibit lower rates of CHD related mortality than both heavy drinkers and abstainers.

To function normally, heart muscle requires a constant supply of oxygen containing blood. This is delivered to heart muscle through coronary arteries. Cholesterol and other fatty substances can accumulate within arteries, partially impeding blood flow. Heart attacks are generally triggered by a blood clot restricting flow and depriving a portion of heart muscle of oxygen. Alcohol in moderation can protect heart by preventing constriction of arteries.

Unsurprisingly, excessive alcohol consumption can cause rapid or irregular heartbeat and impair pumping ability. It may also interact harmfully with medications. In addition to heart disease, long-term binge drinker is leaving themselves susceptible to cancer or cirrhosis of liver: binge drink for long enough and one of these fatal diseases could be yours. Also alcohol’s anticlotting ability, potentially protective against heart attacks, may increase risk of a haemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding within brain.

Excessive alcoholic consumption is very dangerous while moderate consumption is actually quite healthy. So what exactly is a safe amount to drink? Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, women no more than 14. A unit is equivalent of half a pint of beer, a small glass of wine or a measure of spirits. Naturally it is much healthier to spread these units out across week rather than try to drink them all in one night.

As for driving, legal limit is 80 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The amount of alcohol it takes each person to get to this level is almost impossible to measure. If one has to drive it is safest not to drink at all. After a heavy night’s drinking, one’s driving ability could still be adversely affected following lunchtime. It is impossible to get alcohol out of system quickly. Coffee and showers may make you feel more alert but will not speed process up.

While there is much here for seasoned binge drinker to mull over, it is very difficult to change one’s lifestyle overnight. There are support groups one can go to and counselling, which might help. Ultimately though, it is entirely up to you how long you want to live.

John is a writer for http://www.a1-hangover-remedies.com amongst many other other sites.