Drinking can cost a lot. Think about how much you spend per week and per year on alcohol.
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Average weekly subtotal
Yearly total
$
One drink means one 12-ounce bottle of beer. It means one 12-ounce wine cooler. It means one 5-ounce glass of wine. It means one 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.
Your results
Drinking costs you per week. It costs per year.
When it’s good for your health
A daily drink may lower the risk for heart attack and stroke in some people. But the American Heart Association cautions that you not start drinking if you don't already drink alcohol. This is because it's not possible to predict which people will have problems with alcoholism. Keep your alcohol use at a moderate level. This means no more than 2 drinks per day for men and no more than 1 drink a day for women.
When it’s bad for your health
About 17 million Americans have an alcohol problem. Drinking too much can greatly harm your health.
Heavy drinking may raise the risk for some cancers. Heavy drinking may also cause high blood pressure, heart disease, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, immune system problems, brain damage, and hepatitis. Drinking while pregnant can harm your unborn child. Some of these problems develop over time.
Heavy drinking can lead to problems with the nervous system. It can also cause mental health problems.
Safety
Drinking raises the risk for car crashes. It causes accidents in the home. Drinking can also lead to public disorder, family abuse, or social problems. People who have been drinking are more likely to commit violent crimes and suicide.
Problems at work
Drinking can lead to problems on the job like missing work and poor quality of work. Drinking problems cost society about $225 billion per year.
This information should not replace a doctor’s care. Always talk with your doctor for advice concerning your health.
