5 Dangers of Drinking Alcohol Every Day

Drinking alcohol is common for the majority of adults living in the United States. While many people can enjoy alcohol from time to time as part of a healthy lifestyle, some struggle to control the amount they drink. Some may wonder how much they can drink and how often before it becomes a problem. For instance, is it OK to drink alcohol every day?

There are risks to drinking too much alcohol, and you must understand how much alcohol is too much.

It’s essential to understand the dangers of drinking alcohol every day and take steps to keep your drinking in moderation. If you or someone you love need help to stop drinking, reach out to the New Jersey Interventions specialists today.

Are There Dangers of Drinking Alcohol Every Day?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people limit their alcohol intake to avoid short and long-term health complications. Women are advised to drink one drink daily or fewer, while men are limited to two drinks or fewer per day.

Many people underestimate how much alcohol they consume. According to the CDC’s guidelines, a drink is:[1]

• 5 ounces of wine
• 12 ounces of beer
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits like vodka, gin, or whisky

Drinking alcohol in moderation is not linked to poor health outcomes. Heavy drinking, though, is believed to cause higher rates of chronic disease, mental illness, accidents, and injuries.

The culture in the United States encourages drinking. People have many opportunities to drink alcohol at parties, celebrations, during happy hours, or during meals. Alcohol is available at many social events, and some enjoy a drink to unwind at the end of the day. More than 50% of Americans drink alcohol on a regular basis.[2]

Some people wonder if there are dangers of drinking alcohol every day. The answer is: it depends. The amount of alcohol you consume each day matters. If you stick to the CDC’s guidelines for moderation, your chances of developing severe health issues or being involved in accidents, fights, or legal trouble remain low.

If people regularly drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol, they may face severe, negative consequences for their physical and mental health, relationships, and safety.

Five Common Dangers of Drinking Alcohol Every Day

Drinking moderately each day is not believed to increase your odds of developing chronic diseases or have a negative impact on your daily life. But drinking more than the CDC recommends could result in life-altering–or life-threatening–harm.

Here are five common dangers of drinking alcohol every day.

1. Risk of addiction

Drinking alcohol excessively for a prolonged period can cause changes to your body and brain that make it difficult to stop drinking. After a period of heavy drinking, your body may begin to develop tolerance to alcohol, which means you need to drink more to get the same effects. Over time, your body may come to depend on alcohol to function.

If you stop drinking, you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal can be very uncomfortable. Some people in alcohol withdrawal experience severe, life-threatening symptoms like seizures, elevated body temperature, delirium tremens, and coma.

2. Relationship strain

Alcohol abuse often changes the way a person thinks and behaves. Their attention and focus are entirely on getting more alcohol, drinking, and recovering from drinking. They may hide their alcohol use or lie to their friends and loved ones. In some cases, people who abuse alcohol may become undependable. They may fall behind at work, fail to contribute at home, and lose the ability to care for others or maintain healthy relationships.

3. Health risks

Drinking excessively puts people at risk of immediate harm from car accidents, violence, and other injuries resulting from intoxication. In the long-term, people who abuse alcohol are at increased risk of severe health problems, including:[3]

• Liver damage
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Weakened immune system
• Cancer of the mouth, throat, breast, colon, liver, and esophagus
• Learning and memory problems
• Depression and anxiety

It is essential to your health to get treatment for alcohol addiction.

4. Financial trouble

Alcohol abuse can lead to serious financial trouble. Besides the cost of alcohol, there are many hidden costs associated with alcohol abuse. These include legal fees related to DUI or divorce, lost wages from unemployment, and increased medical costs.

5. Damage to your appearance

Alcohol abuse can cause noticeable physical symptoms. Heavy or prolonged drinking can prevent your body from absorbing proteins and nutrients and keeps you from properly caring for your body and hygiene. Some of the effects of alcohol abuse include:[4]

• Brittle nails
• Redness from broken capillaries on the face or skin
• Dry, dull skin
• Wrinkles
• Thinning hair
• Yellowish eyes and skin from liver disease
• Sudden weight gain or loss
• Bloating
• Bad breath and dental problems

Over time, alcohol abuse can severely impact your appearance because of the damage it does to your body. While changes to your appearance may not seem like one of the most significant dangers of drinking alcohol every day, the way you look is linked to your overall health and well-being.

Find Help for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Today

If you are concerned about your drinking, it may be time to get professional help. Stopping drinking is the only way to avoid the long-term effects of drinking every day.

New Jersey Interventions takes a whole-person approach to recovery by offering a continuum of care, clinically proven treatments, and holistic healing. We work closely with you to identify your unique needs, facilitate individualized alcoholism recovery treatments, and help you establish a foundation upon which your recovery–and the rest of your life–can grow. Our compassionate, friendly staff is available 24 hours a day to take your call and help you begin your recovery journey.

Call now to get started.

References:

1. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20620755/