Drinking can be an expensive habit. You may not notice a dollar here or two dollars there, but think about how much you spend on alcohol each week. It can add up.
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One drink is one 12-ounce bottle or can of beer or wine cooler; one 5-ounce glass of wine; or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. The amount of alcohol in any size drink will vary based on the amount of alcohol in the drink. For example, the amount of alcohol in a 12-ounce beer can vary from 4% to 6% or more.
A 750 ml bottle of wine contains about 5 5-ounce glasses. A liter bottle contains about 6 glasses.
A fifth (1/5 of a gallon) of distilled spirits contains almost 17 1.5-ounce shots.
Your results
On average, your drinking costs are per week and per year.
Benefits to health
A daily drink, such as a glass of wine, may lower your risk for heart attack and stroke. For men, a reasonable level is 2 drinks per day. For women, it is no more than 1 drink a day. But the health benefits of alcohol are not worth starting to drink if you currently don't use alcohol
Health problems
Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence affect many people in the U.S. Abusing or misusing alcohol can cause serious or even life-threatening problems.
Heavy drinking may raise the risk for cancers of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx. Heavy drinking can also cause:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Liver cirrhosis
- Pancreatitis
- Immune system problems
- Brain damage
- Alcoholic hepatitis
Women are more likely to develop these problems in a shorter time than are men. It can also harm to the fetus during pregnancy. There is no safe level of drinking during pregnancy.
Older adults face special risks if they drink. Some of these may include:
- Interactions with medicine
- Increased risk for falls
Safety issues
Drinking raises the risk for injury and death from automobile crashes and accidents in the home. Drinking alcohol is tied to family, work, economic, social, and legal problems. It is also tied to violence, including murder and suicide.
It's important to weigh the costs, benefits, and risks of drinking.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional healthcare. Always consult a healthcare provider for advice concerning your health. Only your health care provider can advise you about your health.
Author: Lambert, J.G. M.D.
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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