Alcohol

Alcohol addiction (alcoholism) consists of prolonged abuse of alcoholic beverages. People with this addiction are no longer able to stop drinking once they have started and feel the need to consume more and more alcohol to feel the same effects.
Stopping drinking causes the appearance of withdrawal symptoms, which usually include rapid heartbeat, tremors, nausea and vomiting, but also agitation, hallucinations and convulsions.

How much alcohol can be consumed without risk 

Alcohol causes diseases and related problems even when there is no actual addiction. In fact, consumption can be risky when the person exposes themselves or others to danger, health or safety risks, and when it interferes with their social, school or work life.

 

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, reduces inhibitions and affects thoughts, emotions and judgement. It is therefore not possible to establish a quantity below which the health risks are eliminated. The guidelines of the National Research Institute for Food and Nutrition (INRAN) refer to alcohol units consumed per day.

One alcohol unit corresponds to 12 grams of ethanol, approximately the amount contained in a can of beer, a glass of wine or a shot of spirits. The threshold for moderate consumption is variable.
1 alcohol unit per day
2 alcohol units per day
Average consumption above these amounts is considered excessive, and people who habitually drink more are defined as “heavy drinkers”. Besides the amount consumed, it is also important to take into account how alcohol is consumed. For example, drinking alcoholic beverages between meals or consuming excessive amounts on a single occasion are considered high-risk consumption patterns. Another variable that affects health risks is the ability to metabolise alcohol, which varies according to gender, age and body size. 

Harmful effects of alcohol 

Addiction and death

Alcohol is a toxic substance, potentially carcinogenic and can lead to psychological and physical dependence. It provides energy to the body but no nutrients and causes direct damage to the cells of many organs, such as the liver and central nervous system. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2018 Global status report on alcohol and health alcohol use and abuse caused approximately 3 million deaths worldwide in 2016, accounting for 5.3% of all deaths

Chronic diseases
It is the cause of many diseases, such as alcohol withdrawal syndrome or crisis, alcohol poisoning or acute alcohol intoxication. There are also many alcohol-related diseases that affect different body systems (nervous, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, endocrine-reproductive). Alcohol can also be a contributing factor in several malignant forms of cancer, such as oropharyngeal, oesophageal, colorectal, laryngeal, liver and breast cancer
Indirect damages

Alcohol consumption can be risky even when a person exposes themselves or others to danger, health or safety risks, or when it interferes with social, academic, or work life.

Alcohol is also responsible for indirect damage due to behaviours associated with acute intoxication, like violent episodes, accidents at work, drink-driving, etc. 

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is not recommended, starting from the first weeks. Ethanol, in fact, can compromise foetal growth through the placenta, causing permanent damage to the central nervous system. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most serious of the foetal disorders caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Women who consume more than seven alcoholic drinks per week are at risk of giving birth to a baby with intellectual, cognitive and psychosocial impairments 

If you are at risk or have an addiction, contact the SerD (addiction treatment). It is free of charge and, if you wish, anonymous.

People at risk or who have developed an addiction can contact the SerD (addiction treatment) centres, which are part of the Department of Pathological Addictions and are established by all local health authorities. Their mission is the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of people who have or believe they have addiction-related issues.
A team of addiction experts (medical doctors, psychologists, sociologists, social workers, educators and nurses) provides specialist answers, tailored to different needs, and can put together a treatment programme. Access to addiction centres is free, either on a walk-in basis during opening hours or by taking a telephone appointment. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed, and anonymity can be requested.
In any case, no action will be taken and no information will be disclosed by the SerD without the patient's consent.

The 2021-2025 Regional Prevention Plan (PRP), taking into account the context in which these addictions develop, sets out prevention actions aimed at prospective parents, school teachers and students. For the purposes of early identification and primary prevention, projects on this topic are included in the School and Health Catalogue, including Unplugged and Alcol piacere di conoscerti (Alcohol, nice to get to know you).
Specific actions are also planned to identify and welcome people at risk and those who are completing rehabilitation programmes at an early stage.