What Happens If You Drink Alcohol Every Day?

What Happens If You Drink Alcohol Every Day?

Published October 2021

In the United States, many individuals drink alcohol for social reasons or relaxation, often believing that moderate consumption carries little to no risk. However, drinking alcohol every day—even in amounts that don’t seem excessive—can lead to significant short-term and long-term health issues. Understanding these risks is crucial to making informed decisions about your drinking habits.

The Health Toll of Alcohol Consumption

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol consumption caused about 95,000 deaths annually between 2011 and 2015. This statistic represents 2.8 million years of potential life lost (YPLL), shortening lives by an average of 29 years. More alarmingly, among adults aged 20 to 64, alcohol was responsible for 1 in 10 deaths.

While many people assume that occasional or moderate drinking is harmless, daily consumption—even if it doesn’t fall under the category of “binge drinking”—can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental health over time.

What Constitutes Excessive Drinking?

Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any alcohol consumption by pregnant women or individuals under 21.

• Binge drinking: This is the most common form of excessive drinking and is defined as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men on a single occasion.
• Heavy drinking: This refers to consistent alcohol consumption over time—eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks per week for men.

A standard drink in the United States contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to:

• 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content)
• 8 ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content)
• 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content)
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits or liquor, like vodka or whiskey (40% alcohol content)

Short-Term Health Risks of Daily Alcohol Consumption

Drinking alcohol daily—even in moderate amounts—carries several short-term risks, including:

• Accidental injuries: Drinking impairs judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents like car crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.
• Acts of violence: Alcohol can lower inhibitions, contributing to violent incidents such as homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
• Alcohol poisoning: Consuming large amounts of alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, a life-threatening condition that occurs when blood-alcohol levels rise to dangerous levels.
• Risky sexual behavior: Alcohol use is linked to risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex or having multiple partners, which can lead to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
• Pregnancy risks: Drinking during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which cause lifelong physical and cognitive impairments in children.

These immediate risks illustrate that even occasional overconsumption can lead to severe consequences. However, the long-term risks of drinking alcohol every day are even more concerning.

Long-Term Health Risks of Drinking Alcohol Every Day

Over time, daily alcohol consumption can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular diseases: Heavy drinking is a leading cause of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
• Liver damage: Chronic alcohol use is a major cause of liver disease, including cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and fatty liver disease.
• Cancer: Alcohol is classified as a carcinogen, increasing the risk of several cancers, such as breast cancer, liver cancer, and cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and colon.
• Cognitive decline: Drinking regularly can lead to memory and learning problems, such as dementia, and overall cognitive decline.
• Mental health disorders: Alcohol is closely linked with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, and excessive drinking often exacerbates these problems.
• Social consequences: Regular alcohol consumption can lead to strained relationships, family conflict, financial problems, job loss, and even unemployment.
• Alcohol use disorder (AUD): Over time, regular drinking can lead to alcohol addiction, which is characterized by physical and emotional dependence on alcohol.

These long-term effects are preventable. By seeking help early, you can avoid the serious health risks associated with daily alcohol consumption and live a healthier, fuller life.

Treatment for Alcohol Dependency: Why It’s Important to Seek Help

Alcohol is one of the most widely misused substances in the world, but it’s important to remember that alcohol dependence can be treated. If left untreated, alcohol addiction can wreak havoc on your physical health, mental well-being, career, and personal relationships. At Passages Malibu, we offer individualized, evidence-based treatment that targets the root causes of addiction, not just the symptoms.

Our unique approach to alcohol addiction treatment centers on the belief that your addiction is a symptom of deeper emotional, psychological, or physical issues. We believe that when these underlying conditions are addressed and healed, you can break the cycle of alcohol dependency and move forward with a more fulfilling life.