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“I do think we need to communicate clearly to Twelve-step program the public that alcohol is not beneficial—that a little bit of alcohol is probably not harmful, but don’t expect benefits,” Dr. Nissen explains. Assessing the risks and benefits of alcohol consumption remains an active area of research that may lead to major changes in official guidelines or warning labels. For millions of people, it’s a regular part of the dining experience, social and sports events, celebrations, and milestones. And the alcoholic beverage industry is a major economic force, responsible for more than $250 billion in sales annually in the US. If you have developed any complications of high blood pressure or alcohol intake, your doctor can also help you manage them as well. One of the most appropriate ways to reduce alcohol-induced high blood pressure is to reduce your alcohol intake as much as possible.

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Physical activity helps your heart become more efficient at pumping blood, reducing the pressure on your arteries. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, most days of the week. Metabolism and ClearanceMost alcohol is processed by the liver, where enzymes (e.g., alcohol dehydrogenase) break it down into acetaldehyde and then acetate. The average person’s body can generally handle about one standard drink per hour. Exceeding that rate can lead to rising blood alcohol concentrations, which can contribute to short-term physiological changes and potential harm if done repeatedly over time. UTMB’s Dr. Samuel Mathis tells The Healthy that alcohol raises blood pressure by increasing renin—a protein that constricts arteries—and decreasing nitrous oxide, which is a compound that relaxes them.

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• Meanwhile, it also impacts the body’s regulatory systems for vascular tone, fluid balance, and hormone release.
• A number of experts have recommended revision of the guidelines toward lower amounts, as more studies have linked even moderate alcohol consumption to health risks.
• Some studies suggest low amounts of alcohol may provide health benefits.
• A doctor may recommend a person with hypertension not to consume energy drinks.
• Read on to learn more about alcohol and blood pressure, as well as what drinks may benefit a person who has hypertension and when to talk with a doctor.

Over time, this added strain can lead to hypertension, or chronically high blood pressure, a condition that significantly increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. If you’re generally healthy and under 40 years old, you should have your blood pressure checked every two to five years. Drinking more than three drinks in one day or heavy alcohol use over time significantly raises blood pressure alcohol levels. Cutting back on alcohol is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of hypertension. Even small changes, like switching to lower-alcohol beverages or having alcohol-free days, can make a significant difference.

Are there any health benefits to drinking alcohol?

Ultimately, if you value your cardiovascular well-being, consider how alcohol fits into your broader health picture. Whether it’s measuring out standard drinks more carefully, bp alcohol scheduling alcohol-free days, or joining structured treatment, mindful choices about drinking lead to better outcomes for blood pressure and beyond. For men, moderate drinking is defined as up to two drinks per day, and for women, it is one drink per day. The tolerable consumption amount of any alcohol is considered five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women in 2 hours. When it comes to alcohol and high blood pressure, a 2023 study published in the AHA’s journal, Hypertension, found that an average daily consumption of 12 grams of alcohol can increase systolic blood pressure by 1.25 mmHg. This rise can reach up to 4.9 mmHg with an intake of 48 grams daily, particularly in men.

The organization suggests the results of studies that report the heart benefits of red wine may instead have a basis in lifestyle factors other than alcohol. According to the CDC, the reported health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption may be inaccurate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that if a person has hypertension, they may have a higher risk of conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. In the moment, having one or two drinks may actually temporarily lower your blood pressure by a few points.

• In addition, alcohol may reduce the risk of one condition (such as cardiovascular disease) while increasing the risk of another (such as cancer).
• Even among the positive studies, potential health benefits are often quite small.
• One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor, per the AHA.
• Then make sure to check out The Worst Alcoholic Beverages For Blood Sugar.

What starts as a drink or two after work every day becomes a routine and addiction. The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. Recognizing when to seek professional help for managing alcohol consumption is a vital step toward recovery for those struggling with drinking habits.

When Drinking After Work Becomes a Problem

Federal laws protect people who are in recovery for substance abuse and no longer use illegal drugs. But when drugs or alcohol affects how you do your job now, you don’t have that same protection. Estimates indicate that the yearly expenses to employers range from $33–$68 billion, which result from a combination of factors, including lost productivity and healthcare expenses. For example, factors like mental illness, childhood trauma, genetics and family history of alcohol addiction can also increase the risk of an alcohol use disorder. For some employees, these risk factors may make them vulnerable to alcohol addiction, above and beyond anything happening in the workplace. Arielle Castillo, a content producer for a soccer club based in Manchester, England, told me the constant drinking and party atmosphere at a former workplace became so relentless and exhausting that she found another job.

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• To set effective alcohol boundaries, it’s essential to understand your motivations for wanting to drink less.
• Hoyman acknowledged that despite these accommodation requirements, there can be a stigma attached to alcoholism that isn’t attached to other ADA-covered conditions.
• Stay up to date with the latest HR news, trends, and expert advice each business day.
• Professional treatment programs and support groups can provide the necessary assistance for those struggling with after-work drinking turning into dependence and addiction.
• Some employers, however, opt for a zero-tolerance policy under these circumstances and immediately suspend and then terminate the employee.

Perhaps surprisingly, over one-third (38%) of Americans believe after work drinks are a good way to bond and strengthen a team. This might have something to do with the relaxed nature of a restaurant or bar as compared to a stressful office environment. Employees can get to know each other on a more personal level, which can translate into working together more cohesively.

Physical Health Risks of Regular After-Work Drinking

Typically held at izakayas or restaurants, nomikai are organized to mark milestones, celebrate successes and foster camaraderie among coworkers, superiors and subordinates alike. Nomikai often includes speeches and can start formally, but as the evening progresses, they become more casual and convivial. Research indicates that after-work drinking cultures are often characterized by norms around drinking patterns, practices, settings and occasions, which are enforced to varying degrees across different societies. These cultures can exist on both macro and micro levels, influencing national drinking behaviors as well as subgroup dynamics within a community. Hydrate before drinking, eat a balanced meal, and prioritize sleep if you know you’ll be having alcohol. Most importantly, give yourself permission to rest and recalibrate after a night out rather than trying to out-train the aftermath.

Most employers sensibly believe that this is none of their business, as long as the drugs don’t impair the employee’s job performance. These problems can include diminished job performance, what is alcoholism lowered productivity, absenteeism, tardiness, high turnover, and increased medical and workers’ compensation bills. “As a nondrinker, I feel that pressure to fit in and not look awkward,” she says.

Research indicates a strong correlation between higher levels of alcohol consumption and higher levels of impaired work performance. Statistically, a positive association between these two factors is far more likely than a negative one, with a whopping odds ratio of 14.00, suggesting a compelling relationship between drinking habits and job efficacy (source). It is essential to recognize that while moderate alcohol consumption may carry some cardiovascular benefits, the line between moderate and excessive is thin, and crossing it can lead to serious health consequences. Long-term alcohol use has been shown to decrease myocardial protein expression and synthesis while accelerating protein degradation in the heart muscle, further contributing to cardiovascular deterioration. Moreover, repeated binge drinking, defined as consuming multiple drinks in a short timeframe, has been correlated with an increased likelihood of developing prehypertension, a precursor to full-blown hypertension.

• This transition from a social activity to a health concern is insidious, often going unnoticed until serious consequences emerge.
• Worrying about whether or not you’re drinking too much—or whether your nondrinking is being noticed or judged—puts additional pressure on workers who already have enough on their plate.
• As many of us return to offices, or contemplate returning, we’re reassessing workplace norms and our needs as both employees and people.
• It can also lead to an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, which can further increase the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications.
• It can improve mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance blood flow in skeletal muscles through better capillarization.

If the employee has a drug problem, one option is to suspend the worker until he or she successfully completes a treatment program. If an employee’s performance is affected by the proper use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, state and federal disability laws may limit an employer’s options. Depending on how drinking after work the drug affects the employee, and whether the employee suffers from a disability within the meaning of these laws, your company may have to accommodate the employee’s use of the drugs. It’s often a relief to knock back a drink or two after a long day at work, and as an added incentive, happy hour is usually from 4–6 p.m., coinciding perfectly with the end of the workday. After work drinks are the perfect excuse to celebrate the end of a successful project or the start of a big one.

There is nothing wrong with drinking one of these alternatives instead of alcohol. While they may not have the same impact, you’ll come to realize that you don’t need alcohol to cool down after work. Drinking after work can become a problematic situation if a person loses control. Maintaining your control over the situation and taking the safer route can save you trouble in the long run. While having a drink initially may be fine, if it begins to escalate into alcohol abuse, saying ‘no’ is the best route to take before it’s too late. Some may even resort to drinking after work to avoid or numb their stresses back at home.