Partners in Prevention

High Risk Drinker

There are specific groups of individuals who should strongly consider not drinking because they have increased risk for negative outcomes, including serious physical harm and addiction.  

  • People with a family history of alcohol problems are 4 times more likely to have an alcohol problem themselves.  

  • Males with fathers who are alcoholics at greatest risk.

  • Persons with diseases of the digestive and nervous systems.  

  • Diabetics

  • Heart patients

  • Individuals with unusual sensitivity to alcohol.  

  • Pregnant women—fetal alcohol effects include low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, mental retardation, hearing defects and physical abnormalities.