Humans have been drinking fermented beverages for about 10,000 years. I imagine they have been debating their positive and negative effects for about as long. It is safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies in the amount consumed.

Moderate drinking has been reported to be good for the heart and circulatory system. Heavy drinking is a major cause of preventable death in most countries. Alcohol is involved in about half of all fatal traffic accidents in the US. Heavy drinking damages organs including the liver and the heart, harms unborn children, increases the risk of breast cancer and other cancers, contributes to domestic violence and depression, and interferes with relationships. Ethanol is a simple molecule that causes widespread changes in mood, concentration, and coordination. It affects the stomach, brain, heart, liver, and gallbladder. It affects cholesterol and insulin levels. Ethanol also affects inflammation and blood clotting.

Part of the confusion is caused by a lack of clear definition of terms regarding drinking. In some studies, moderate drinking is defined as one or less drink per day, in others it is three or four per day. Even what constitutes a drink is not agreed upon, although in the US a drink is usually taken to mean 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1-1/2 ounces of hard liquor. Moderate drinking has been taken to be the point at which the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Consensus in the US has been no more than one or two drinks per day for men and no more than one per day for women.

While most people drink in moderation, many do not. Problem drinking affects not only drinkers themselves but touches their friends, families, and communities. It is estimated that 14 million Americans meet the criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Alcohol plays a role in 1 in 4 cases of violent crime. Alcohol clouds judgment. Alcohol interacts with many over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen. Alcohol is addictive, especially if you have a family history of alcohol abuse. Age at onset of alcohol use is also an indicator of risk for alcohol abuse. The younger age one starts drinking, the more likely one is to abuse alcohol.

Alcohol abuse is a major problem in Taos County and northern New Mexico. May kicks off a period of celebration in our communities. Please help our young people stay safe. Do not allow underage drinking. Talk to your children about the dangers of drinking. Drink responsibly yourself and teach your children how to drink in moderation by example. Together we can make our community a safer, healthier place.

Reference: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/alcohol.html.

TAOS PHARMACY IS NOW RELOCATED TO OUR TEMPORARY SETTING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE DURING OUR REMODEL. WE ARE INVESTING BACK INTO OUR BUSINESS TO PROVIDE YOU BETTER SERVICE. WE ENJOY SERVING YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS.

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