07/18/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/18/2025 08:16
After a long day at work or a stressful week, a drink or two at home or out with friends might sound like just what you need to regroup. But what happens when a casual drink on a Saturday night turns into a blur - or ends up being a night you do things you wouldn't normally do - or worse, that you regret?
Sometimes known as a "weekend" alcoholic or binge drinker, this issue occurs when casual drinking turns into something more - a drinking problem, dependency issue or true alcoholism, says Tyler Trahan, M.D., an internal medicine and addiction specialist at Henry Ford Health. Moderate drinking is defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Exceeding that puts you at risk for becoming an alcoholic. Here, Dr. Trahan shares red flags to watch out for.
Signs You Might Have A Drinking Problem
Heavy drinking - even binging one or two nights a week - is harmful for your health in a myriad of ways. Consequences like liver damage, blood pressure issues along with vomiting and seizures from excessive drinking can all occur if you consume too much. And recent research shows that even moderate drinking can increase your risk of cancer. If you feel you need help, don't hesitate to reach out to a medical professional for help.
Reviewed by Tyler Trahan, M.D., an internal medicine and addiction specialist who sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital - K Building and Henry Ford Maplegrove Center.