DRINKING IN MODERATION
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL USE
Short-term Risks:
- Motor vehicle accidents, falls, drownings, burns violence and firearm injuries
- Violence (homicide, suicide, sexual assault and intimate partner violence)
- Alcohol poisoning
- Risky sexual behaviors
- Miscarriage, stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) among pregnant women
Long-term Risks:
- Chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and liver disease
- Cancers including breast, oral, throat, esophageal, liver, colon and rectal
- Weakened immune system
- Learning and memory issues
- New or worsened mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
- Social issues such as family, friends and employment
- Alcohol use disorder
UNDERAGE DRINKING
DRINKING WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING
DRINKING AND DRIVING
ALCOHOL OVERDOSE
A recent DoD Health Related Behaviors Survey of Active Duty Military Personnel:
- 34% of service members reported binge drinking
- 9.8% of service members reported heavy drinking
- 6.2% of service members reported one or more serious consequences as a result of drinking
HANGOVERS
- Tired
- Weak
- Thirsty
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vertigo
- Light and/or sound sensitivity
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Increased blood pressure
Own Your Limits is a Defense Department (DOD) educational campaign to help Service members learn how to drink responsibly, if they choose to drink alcohol. The site supports the DOD’s efforts to build and sustain a ready and resilient force by providing resources and information to Service members so they can serve honorably and drink responsibly.