Cost of Drinking Tool
March 26, 2024Drinking can cost a lot. Think about how much you spend each week and each year on alcohol.
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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 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 don't start drinking if you don't already drink alcohol. It's not possible to predict who will have problems with alcoholism. If you drink, keep your alcohol use at a moderate level. This means no more than 2 drinks a day for men. It means 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. It may cause high blood pressure and heart disease. It can cause cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and hepatitis. It can cause immune system problems. And can cause brain damage and mental health problems. Drinking while pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Some of these problems show up in a child over time.
Safety
Drinking raises the risk for car crashes. It causes accidents in the home. Drinking can lead to family abuse. It can cause public disorder. It can lead to economic or social problems. People who have been drinking are more likely to commit violent crimes and suicide.
Problems at work
Drinking can cause problems at work. It can lead to missing work and poor quality of work. Drinking problems cost the U.S. about $250 billion per year. Most of the cost (about 72%) is from the loss of work output.
This tool is not meant to replace advice from your healthcare provider.