“Alcohol is considered a problem of all generations and social classes. According to the Robert Koch Institute, 10 percent of women and 16 percent of men in Rhineland-Palatinate drink too much. Many people are not aware of this.

The point at which someone really has to be classified as an alcohol addict varies greatly from person to person. Typical signs of alcohol addiction are, for example: A compulsive desire to drink alcohol. Not having an overview of how much alcohol you actually drink. Needing more and more alcohol to achieve an effect. Or also: withdrawal symptoms when not drinking alcohol.

The list of alcohol-related diseases is endless
But no matter how high or how low the individual alcohol consumption actually is: as far as health is concerned – and one should not lie to oneself about this – any consumption is harmful.

Alcohol is a cell poison and the list of alcohol-related diseases is endless. 5.7 percent of all cancers in men and 3.4 percent in women can actually be traced back to alcohol consumption. The German Cancer Research Centre has published the figures in its current Alcohol Atlas (2022). At first glance, the figures seem low, but other diseases triggered by alcohol consumption are added. For example, brain damage, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, cardiovascular diseases and so on.”

Find more from SWR (Germany, January 2023)

Watch the VIDEO HERE (in German)