The Truth About Alcohol: Gray Area Drinking and Health Risks
The conversation around the safety of alcohol is long and hotly debated. Some schools of thought exclaim the virtues of alcohol as a ‘health enhancer’ when taken in moderation. For example, the ‘Mediterranean Diet.’ The Mediterranean Diet is one of the most well-known globally. It promotes the benefits of a daily glass of red wine for women (or two for men) to help decrease the risk of heart disease, depression, and dementia. Other thoughts are that ‘drinking in moderation’ is fine with no health risks. But is this the case?
No. There is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Consider a woman who drinks a glass of red wine with dinner each night, thinking it may help keep her heart healthy. Unfortunately, she is actually INCREASING her risk of breast cancer! In fact, the WHO (World Health Organization) states alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer.
And the National Library of Medicine estimates ‘moderate’ alcohol consumption is linked to an approximate 30-50% increase breast cancer cases.
So, while there may be perceived health benefits to including alcohol in your diet, science proves otherwise.
What’s the link between health disease and Gray Area Drinking?
Surely ‘social’ or ‘moderate’ drinking are normal and nothing to worry about? Most people fit into these categories and still live perceived ‘healthy,’ active, normal lives. They hold steady jobs, have a social life, enjoy spending time with their family, and participate in other ‘normal’ activities.
They categorize themselves as ‘social’ or ‘moderate’ drinkers because it feels comfortable and normalizes their drinking behaviours.
What they don’t realize is… They are in Gray Zone! They are ‘Gray Area Drinkers’, which can lead to problems.
Gray Area Drinking is a broad spectrum with no “black” or “white” categories, simply lots of space in between, hence the appropriate name “Gray Area Drinking.”
You’re NOT a Gray Area Drinker if you need more specialized medical help with your alcohol dependency or medical detox.
You’re a Gray Area Drinker if you CAN and DO stop drinking on your own.
Consider these terms associated with drinking: “social,” “moderate,” “problem”, ”dependent,” and “addicted.”
They’re all different and imply varying drinking levels – yet they all have one thing in common.
They’re in the Gray Area.
It’s challenging to change your drinking habits - especially when they’ve crept up and have been happening for a long time.
Sadly, in our modern lifestyle, Gray Area Drinking is an accepted part of our daily lives, and it’s wreaking havoc on our health and well-being.
The next time you reach for a glass of alcohol, consider this statement by Dr Carina Ferreira-Borges, the Acting Director for Noncommunicable Diseases and Programme Manager for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs at WHO/Europe:
“Simply put, alcohol is toxic. It harms every organ while it passes through the body. So, it makes perfect sense to… find ways to replace alcohol with other beverages and to adopt nationwide policies that help to reduce alcohol consumption.”
Breaking the habit of Gray Area Drinking can be difficult. The need for alcohol sneaks into your life silently, but it takes a firm hold of your body, mind, and emotions.
As a Gray Area Drinking Coach, I work with type A individuals who are prone to perfectionism, have a lot on their plate and rely on alcohol night after night to try and relax.
Through my Brighten Your Life Gray Area Drinking Coaching Program, I help you retrain your neurotransmitters, reduce cravings, and regulate your nervous system. So that you can live your best life - alcohol-free!
So, if you’re sick of letting alcohol dim your light, we can Brighten Your Life together so you can self-regulate your nervous system, live an alcohol-free lifestyle, and elevate your life instead of escaping it.
NO ALCOHOL REQUIRED – START LIVING SOBER TODAY!
Kristin x
